HAY fever season is well upon us, with millions in search of ways to cope with the symptoms.
Experts say some foods may worsen the sneezing and itchy eyes, and should be avoided when the pollen count is high.
Though remedies such as antihistamines and nasal sprays work wonders, they may not be enough for those plagued by hay fever.
And with this week set to see a pollen explosion, it may be worth adjusting your diet to avoid pesky allergies.
Experts at The Organic Pharmacy advise avoiding coffee and alcohol, which may be challenging for the average Brit.
The main culprit is histamines, which are chemicals that are produced by the immune system in response to an allergy.
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As part of the body's defence system, they cause inflammation and symptoms such as a runny nose.
Antihistamine pills – a hay fever sufferer's best friend – help fight the symptoms caused by this histamine release.
Histamines are found in a number of foods. Consuming them could therefore make hay fever symptoms worse.
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Alcohol
Margo Marrone, pharmacist and co-founder of The Organic Pharmacy, said: “Many types of booze contain histamines that make allergies even more severe.
“The sulphites that are found in many types of alcohol are also bad news, as they can worsen symptoms too.
“If you want to enjoy a drink without triggering your allergies, opt for gin and vodka, as these spirits have the lowest levels of histamines. Plus, they're perfect summer drinks!”
Coffee
“Unfortunately, hay fever sufferers will have to find another way to perk themselves up in the mornings, as coffee is another drink that must be avoided,” the pharmacists warn.
“As well as triggering the release of the hay fever sufferer's enemy, histamine, it has been found to cause liver congestion, which makes symptoms even more severe.
“Swap your morning coffee for a cup of chamomile tea, as this clears the excess mucus that hay fever triggers, and keeps sinuses clear.
"And if you still need a pick-me-up, opt for natural energy-boosting supplements to keep you going throughout the day.”
Aged cheese
Another one that might dishearten hay fever sufferers – aged cheeses, like stilton, goat’s cheese and some cheddars.
Margo said: “Sorry to any cheese lovers, but aged cheese is actually one of the worst foods you can have for your allergies.
“This is because it often contains histamines — as you can probably guess by the name, this is the stuff hay fever sufferers must try to avoid at all costs.
“These histamines are created by bacterial microbes, which grow on the rind of aged cheese to help it ripen and protect it from harmful pathogens.”
Dairy
“Unfortunately, aged cheese isn’t the only dairy food that hay fever sufferers need to avoid,” Margo warned.
“Most types of dairy can make the symptoms of allergic reactions more severe.
“It does this by increasing the body's mucus production, which makes it even more difficult to get rid of the blocked nose that comes with hay fever.”
Dairy products include milk, yoghurt or ice cream.
The good news is that there's now a wide range of dairy-free products on the market, such as almond milk.
Melon
Sometimes people with hay fever also have to contend with pollen-food syndrome, otherwise known as oral allergy syndrome.
This food allergy causes a person to experience an itchy throat, itchy inner ear, swelling in the tongue or lips after eating some fresh fruits.
The proteins in foods, particularly fresh fruit, resemble pollen, and so the body reacts accordingly.
The foods someone reacts to depends on what pollen they are allergic to.
Those with hay fever in the summer will have a grass pollen allergy and therefore may react to melons.
Margo said: “As refreshing as this tasty fruit is, unfortunately it can cause bad reactions in some hay fever sufferers.
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“Melon is a major trigger for people with pollen-food syndrome, as it is bad for those who are sensitive to both grass and ragweed pollen.
"But there are many other foods that may trigger this allergy too, such as celery, bananas, and pitted fruits.”
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