PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
South Africans are subjected to a continuous onslaught of allergens: in Johannesburg and Pretoria the pollen allergy season lasts almost all year round, while Cape Town is affected from September to December, and Durban from December to May.
Professor Paul Potter, director of the Allergology Diagnostic and Clinical Research Unit at the UCT Lung Institute says that 80–90% of South Africans are allergic to pollen from alien grasses Bermuda and Rye; and 10–40% are also allergic to African grasses Kikuyu, Buffalo and Eragrostis. Avoiding these in your garden is essential if you have allergies. The Allergy Society of South Africa’s Pollen Allergy-Pollinosis information sheet suggests the following possible measures:
> Keep car and house windows closed as much as possible to prevent pollen from blowing inside.
> Do not hang washing outdoors to dry on windy days as pollen may be deposited on the clothing.
> Avoid orchards in blossom, daisy fields and grasslands especially in the interior during spring and summer.
So, no Namaqualand visits, unfortunately, unless you’re prepared for the consequences. Animals also transport pollen on their fur, so bringing the dogs in after a walk may increase your allergies.
TRADITIONAL METHODS
For those with hypersensitive allergic reactions, skin or blood tests should be done to pinpoint the main cause.
Prof Potter says the skin test is safe, takes 15 to 20 minutes for results, and can be administered at a medical practice. Extracts of allergens are applied to your skin, the skin is scratched or pricked to allow exposure, and its reaction evaluated. The IgE (Immunocap RAST) blood test is equally reliable, but results take longer.
There are two common treatments prescribed; antihistamines and steroid nose sprays. Antihistamines are best for a runny nose, sneezing, itching eyes and nose, while nasal sprays are best for blocking and congestion (the new, non-sedative antihistamines are popular over-the-counter remedies).
Curative treatments such as an immunotherapy vaccine can be administered either by weekly injections or sublingual drops under the tongue for a period of two years. Immunotherapy benefits those who are only sensitive to grass pollens or house dust mites, but does not benefit patients with multiple allergies.
HOMEOPATHIC SOLUTIONS
Dr Werner Kerschbaumer from the Rondebosch Homeopathic Centre believes that a person cannot be treated for an allergy without having a whole system analysis; this would include a case history with specific focus on diet. Most allergic reactions are an accumulation of many sources, and by taking a holistic approach, long-term results are almost certain, he says. The body is like a tube that slowly fills with different irritants, says Dr Kerschbaumer.
They build on one another and in spring, when pollen is added to the mix, we think our body’s reactions are seasonal. For example, someone has hereditary factors is allergic to dust mites (as most people are), mould in Cape Town, and eats plenty of refined carbohydrates. Then spring comes and pollen is added to the list which results in hayfever symptoms. The person then gets a remedy for hayfever when, in fact, the allergy is an accumulation of many other factors.
This will work as a short-term solution and could be used by athletes who need quick relief, but for long-term results, a full system analysis must be done. Essentially, one must reduce one’s exposure to irritants such as dust mites, mould, pollen, and certain foods, says Dr Kerschbaumer.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
To clean the air within your home, Dr Kerschbaumer recommends using an air filter unit or ioniser, preferably in the bedroom where we spend most of our time. This encourages the dust to settle on the ground, which can then be vacuumed away. The Allergy Society of South Africa website (www.allergysa.org) states that “pollen levels are usually highest in the mid-morning, and larger amounts are present on hot, windy days”.
Outdoor exercise should therefore be avoided during these times. Mowing the lawn is also not advisable for pollen allergy sufferers, so this is a valid reason not to work heavy machinery!
WHAT’S BEST FOR ME?
You must determine whether you suffer from seasonal allergies only, or an accumulation of many irritants. Consider how you feel during the rest of the year. If your allergies only occur during spring, antihistamines and nasal sprays should tide you over. If you think your allergies may all be connected, possibly stemming from the food you eat, the homeopathic route may be best. Any herbal remedies prescribed must be taken for a couple of weeks with a week’s break in-between.
It’s important not to go to your local pharmacy and pick up a bottle labelled “for allergic rhinitis”. Homeopathic remedies, without proper knowledge, will most often not work alone, like conventional medicine might. The best advice is to be aware of exactly what you are allergic to, in order to protect yourself this spring!
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