Environmental Allergies - Best Treatment?

[Spartan32]

After years of casually trying to treat my tics with methods discussed on this forum, I really want to give it a serious 6-12 months of consistency. I am going to be taking probiotics (Dr. Ohhira's Professional Formula), L-Glutamine (Optium Nutrition), and Now Candida Clear to heal my gut and clear candida if that is an issue. I figure that none of these can hurt and probiotics are good for everyone and Glutamine is known to help with muscle recovery from my weight lifting. I am also going to be avoiding fast foods and center my diet around whole and nutrient rich foods. I am going to follow the guidelines in Dr. Weil's Anti-inflammatory diet. In addition, I will be getting extra magnesium through epsom salt baths, natural calm, and taking a "safe" multivitamin that I have researched.

 

My question is how do I deal with the environmental or seasonal allergies? I understand that things like mold, pollen, and dust can be triggers. It seems to me that these are harder to avoid as I can keep my house clean and use an air purifier, but I can not control these allergens outside and anywhere else that I go. As I am out of my home more than I am in it, this seems like it could be a problem.

 

I have struggled with seasonal allergies as a kid and also had asthma. The classic symptoms such as runny nose, itchy throat, come a few times a year and always go away after a few days of clariton. I was wondering what the best long term treatment is to help with tics and overall health? Allergy shots? Regular anti-histamine use? Daily Quercetin? Thanks in advance!

[911RN]

My older neuro-typical son took allergy shots for 5 years from age 6 to age 11. He tested moderate to severe reaction to nearly every environmental allergen tested. Trees, grasses, molds etc. EXCEPT, no foods, thankfully. Prior to allergy shots, he suffered from chronic headaches and repeat sinus infections. He is 15.5 now and I can't even remember the last time he had a cold! Has been super healthy for years. He is completely clear of allergy symptoms now... while, the rest of the family that has never had shots all still suffer during allergy seasons You must be committed. Have to stay on a regular schedule for effectiveness. Testing and shots are not cheap....as long as you have good insurance coverage- you should be OK. Luckily, we did. Shots will probably help your asthma, as well.

Edited January 3, 2013 by 911RN

[Chemar]

there are also some good reports about those nasal gels that are supposed to help lessen the allergens that get through the nose, as well as combat the allergy symptoms as well.

[Spartan32]

My older neuro-typical son took allergy shots for 5 years from age 6 to age 11. He tested moderate to severe reaction to nearly every environmental allergen tested. Trees, grasses, molds etc. EXCEPT, no foods, thankfully. Prior to allergy shots, he suffered from chronic headaches and repeat sinus infections. He is 15.5 now and I can't even remember the last time he had a cold! Has been super healthy for years. He is completely clear of allergy symptoms now... while, the rest of the family that has never had shots all still suffer during allergy seasons You must be committed. Have to stay on a regular schedule for effectiveness. Testing and shots are not cheap....as long as you have good insurance coverage- you should be OK. Luckily, we did. Shots will probably help your asthma, as well.

 

Thanks for the reply. Was this done at a "regular" allergy doctor as opposed to a natural focused one?

[911RN]

Yes, his doctor was a "regular" allergist-asthma specialist. In practice with ENT also. Although, he never has had asthma. We were lucky, that way, for a kid that was so allergy prone. Allergist felt he may not have developed asthma due to being breast fed baby for over a year? Never had formula or milk. He had skin prick testing at age 6 then serums were developed based on his allergies and he proceeded to get shots...for 5 years!! His allergist said most kids only need 3 years but my son was a "special case." However, it worked. Now, we are on to braces at age 15.5. Oh, joy He is a special case for those, too. Got the $7000.00, 28 month plan for that today Lordy, need to get another job!

 

Good luck with whatever you decide. Steroid nasal inhalers like Flonase and Nasonex are good at for seasonal allergies. Must use them regularly (once daily) for 2 weeks or so to get inflammation fully tamped down but they are quite effective with little to no side effects (for most). I use them primarily in Spring and Fall if things get bad for short periods then I don't use them anymore until the next season. There are some histamine blocker nasal inhalers also that folks swear by- I have never had prescribed but they are reportedly better for the itchy, runny type allergies you describe that you have. I have the stuffy, congested, blocked up type allergies.Allergies tend to run in either one of the two camps. Runny nose, itchers... or stuffy head, can't nose breath..ers!

[rowingmom]

Robb Wolfe (Paleo Diet) has a good anti-autoimmune, anti-inflammatory diet as well.

[Chemar]

Steroid nasal inhalers like Flonase and Nasonex are good at for seasonal allergies. Must use them regularly (once daily) for 2 weeks or so to get inflammation fully tamped down but they are quite effective with little to no side effects (for most).

 

Spartan....PLEASE be very very cautious about using anything that is a steroid if you have TS! Steroids can trigger tics in people with TS due to their effect of increasing dopamine. This may not be the case for you but if you look back on some other threads here you will find that many parents have reported a major ramping up of tics when their kids used those steroid inhalers!!

[Spartan32]

Yes, his doctor was a "regular" allergist-asthma specialist. In practice with ENT also. Although, he never has had asthma. We were lucky, that way, for a kid that was so allergy prone. Allergist felt he may not have developed asthma due to being breast fed baby for over a year? Never had formula or milk. He had skin prick testing at age 6 then serums were developed based on his allergies and he proceeded to get shots...for 5 years!! His allergist said most kids only need 3 years but my son was a "special case." However, it worked. Now, we are on to braces at age 15.5. Oh, joy He is a special case for those, too. Got the $7000.00, 28 month plan for that today Lordy, need to get another job!

 

Good luck with whatever you decide. Steroid nasal inhalers like Flonase and Nasonex are good at for seasonal allergies. Must use them regularly (once daily) for 2 weeks or so to get inflammation fully tamped down but they are quite effective with little to no side effects (for most). I use them primarily in Spring and Fall if things get bad for short periods then I don't use them anymore until the next season. There are some histamine blocker nasal inhalers also that folks swear by- I have never had prescribed but they are reportedly better for the itchy, runny type allergies you describe that you have. I have the stuffy, congested, blocked up type allergies.Allergies tend to run in either one of the two camps. Runny nose, itchers... or stuffy head, can't nose breath..ers!

 

Thanks for your reply. I think I am going to go to my ENT and possibly start on allergy shots. I actually had started on them a few years ago but stopped for some reason after a few months. I have had the skin prick tests and a ton of things showed reactions. I am just hoping it won't take 5 years like your son .

 

Ah braces, that was a fun time. I still laugh when I think back of me trying to hide them from my friends in middle school by talking without opening my mouth all of the way. As much as your son hates them now, they are so worth it and I am sure he is going to love the results when he gets them off.

 

Steroid nasal inhalers like Flonase and Nasonex are good at for seasonal allergies. Must use them regularly (once daily) for 2 weeks or so to get inflammation fully tamped down but they are quite effective with little to no side effects (for most).

 

Spartan....PLEASE be very very cautious about using anything that is a steroid if you have TS! Steroids can trigger tics in people with TS due to their effect of increasing dopamine. This may not be the case for you but if you look back on some other threads here you will find that many parents have reported a major ramping up of tics when their kids used those steroid inhalers!!

 

 

Thanks for the heads up Chemar. I am going to avoid the steroid inhalers for now as the last thing that I need is more tics.