R. Steven Davidson, who has a doctorate in natural health sciences."
Get a grip on forearms: you've got questions. We've got answers. (Ask Our Experts).
Men's Fitness, August, 2002
Continued from page 2
--H.B., Provo, UT
"For helping the body overcome allergies, the only treatment I'm impressed with at all is allergy shots,"
"When you receive an allergy shot, you're generally given a small dose of the allergen itself, which helps your body develop an immune response to that substance. Allergy shots help to desensitize the body's response to allergens, and this may be the only treatment' that truly works."
As for all the medications on the market, including the ones that may have been prescribed for you, Davidson says they merely treat symptoms rather than help prevent allergies.
"Many provide relief through bronchial or vasal dilations, allowing you to breathe more easily, but they don't affect the body's response to allergens per se." If these medications work for you, by all means continue to use them. Just don't expect that taking them will cure your allergies.
Itchy eyes, however, can be a difficult symptom to suppress, Davidson says, and may explain why the medications you're currently taking don't offer much relief. "Optic allergies are difficult to treat because the eyes have a quick clearance of drugs. When you put eyedrops in, the half-life of the active ingredient is very short."
Repeated applications may therefore be necessary. Davidson recommends consulting your doctor and reading the application directions for your particular medication. "Using saline drops for the eyes and sprays for the nose can be somewhat effective at flushing out irritants and allergens," he says. Keep a bottle of each on hand for allergy flare-ups.
Finally, Davidson says that homeopathic remedies may also help quell allergies. "Some homeopathic products may work similar to the allergy shots, wherein they give small amounts of the allergens to the body to create a reaction, and then, over time, as with the vaccinations, the body will create an immunity to the allergens."
Majid Ali, a licensed herbalist and a personal trainer certified by the International Sports Sciences Association, devotes much of his private practice to treating allergies with homeopathic and herbal remedies. "Controlling allergies can be the key to living comfortably with them," he says. "By strengthening the immune system, you can reduce your body's sensitivity to allergies.
"Among the best remedies are quercetin and green tea. The former is an antioxidant, made from pine or oranges, that helps reduce-swollen membranes and sinuses. Green tea's antioxidant effects are excellent for reducing inflammation of the mucous membranes."
Providing your body with these nutrients, Ali explains, will also strengthen your immune system, making it better able to cope with the assault of environmental allergens. For dosing, Ali recommends you consult a licensed herbalist.
You can also try other remedies that may alleviate your symptoms:
* "Once you have an allergy attack, often the products a doctor prescribes may not do much for you," says Ali. "By using a saline or sea-salt spray or an aloe lubricant on your mucous membranes, you can flush the area and reduce your body's response to allergies."
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