Hayfever: Causes, Symptoms and Natural Ways to Find Relief

Hayfever affects nearly half of UK adults each year. Discover the causes, triggers and evidence-based dietary and supplement strategies to help manage seasonal allergic rhinitis naturally.

Hayfever: Causes, Symptoms and Natural Ways to Find Relief

Hayfever is a common term for allergic rhinitis, which occurs seasonally and is associated with a reaction to a variety of triggers including dust, mould or pollen. When the trigger is pollen, the terms hayfever or seasonal rhinitis are used. Figures suggest that 49% of people in the UK experience some symptoms of hayfever each year.1

Symptoms of hayfever and their impact on daily life

Typical symptoms are a runny nose, sneezing, itching and congestion, but may also include watery, dry, or itchy eyes and coughing.2 A significant proportion of sufferers also experience secondary symptoms which may have an impact on their quality of life. Disturbed sleep is a common side effect of seasonal rhinitis,3 as nighttime congestion can lead to snoring and pollen settles and enters open windows. This can lead to daytime drowsiness and fatigue,4,5,6 as well as an increase in sick days from school and work – around 29 million days off per year.7 Studies also suggest that productivity is affected, with hayfever symptoms affecting learning, decision making and other markers of cognitive function8 as well as poor school and exam performance.9,10,11

Pollen-related food allergy: A hidden side effect

There is also a significant proportion of hayfever sufferers – around 700,000 people in the UK – who have a related food allergy, often referred to as pollen related food allergy (PRFA). Common cross reactions include foods such as fruits, vegetables, peanuts, tree nuts and soya and symptoms include tingling, swelling, or itching of the mouth, tongue, throat, and lips.12

What causes hayfever and who is most at risk?

The cause of hayfever seems to be straightforward – it is an allergy to some form of pollen or spores. Symptoms can occur at different times of year and will be dependent on the exact pollen which triggers a reaction. For example, tree pollen allergies can start as early as January, grass pollen peaking in summer and weed pollen lasting from spring to autumn.

The root cause of hayfever and the reason why some people develop it, and some don’t, is due to the immune response. Pollen is incorrectly identified as an invader and antibodies are released. These then stimulate immune cells in the respiratory tract triggering the release of histamine and causing allergy-like symptoms. Genetics play a role in the development of this condition and if a family member has hayfever then an individual is more likely to experience similar symptoms. Those with asthma or eczema are also more likely to be affected.13

Why is hayfever on the rise?

Evidence does suggest that hayfever is on the rise, with some figures suggesting an increase of 33% in the last 20 years14 and there seems to be several reasons for this. Changes in plant species and climate change mean that we are exposed to new pollens and for a longer period of the year than previously.15 In fact, a new syndrome, called Autumn Sneezing Syndrome, has been identified and appears to be related to changing pollen patterns, as well as an increase in ragwort. Ragwort pollen is prolific later in the year, which leads to hayfever symptoms which continue well beyond the normal season of March to August. Increases in pollution and carbon dioxide in the air causes more pollen to circulate, particularly in urban areas and this is made worse by the planting of male trees and plants, which are easier to maintain but more prolific pollen producers.

Foods that can worsen or help hayfever symptoms

Some people do find that foods which are high in histamine can make an existing bout of hayfever worse and avoiding these foods, particularly on high pollen count days may be useful. Foods which are high in histamine include shellfish, processed meats, aged cheese, and alcohol.16

Equally there are foods which may be useful for reducing hayfever symptoms. Several studies have suggested that following the Mediterranean diet, particularly during pregnancy and childhood, can lead to a reduced risk of developing hayfever and other allergic conditions. The closer the adherence to this diet, the less likely it was to develop hayfever symptoms and this is attributed to the high intake of local fruit and vegetables as well as a high nut intake. This diet is also rich in olive oil and oily fish, such as herring, mackerel, salmon, and sardines which provide high levels of omega 3 fats, which can also encourage the production of compounds which reduce inflammation.17,18,19

Foods rich in vitamin C such as citrus fruits and tomatoes are frequently suggested, as vitamin C can contribute to normal immune function and may be useful for the symptoms of hayfever.20 Foods such as onions, apples, and capers may also be useful as they contain a flavonoid called quercetin. Quercetin has been shown to inhibit the release of histamine.21,22 Therefore, from a dietary perspective it is important to include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. This will also improve the diversity of the gut microbiome, as those with hayfever have been shown to have less variety and an altered microbiome compared to those without this condition.23 Including spices such as turmeric and ginger can also help to reduce the inflammation and irritation associated with seasonal rhinitis.24,25

Key nutrients and supplements for hayfever relief

Some of the main nutrients to be aware of when experiencing hayfever are those which support normal immune function, which include vitamins C and D and the minerals, iron, selenium, and zinc.

Using pro- and pre-biotic supplements is also advisable to maintain a healthy and diverse microbiome. A disrupted microbiome can make the immune cells overreactive and reduce the excretion of allergens, making it more likely that hayfever symptoms will occur. Studies have shown that several strains of probiotic bacteria can be useful for reducing both symptoms and the need for the use of medication.26,27,28

Quercetin is a plant compound which has been studied widely for its effects on inflammation and allergy and as previously discussed can be obtained in small amounts from foods such as apples and onions. However, studies have also investigated the use of higher, supplemental doses for the symptoms of hayfever, with positive results on symptoms such as itching, sneezing and sleep, as well as improvements in quality-of-life scores.22

References

  1. Allergy UK. Statistics and Figures. allergyuk.org.
  2. NHS. Hay fever. nhs.uk.
  3. Mayo Clinic. Hay fever: Symptoms and causes. mayoclinic.org.
  4. Ozdoganoglu T, Songu M, Inancli HM. Quality of life in allergic rhinitis. Ther Adv Respir Dis. 2012;6(1):25-39.
  5. Santos CB, Pratt EL, Hanks C, McCann J, Craig TJ. Allergic rhinitis and its effect on sleep, fatigue, and daytime somnolence. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2006;97:579–586.
  6. Stuck BA, et al. Changes in daytime sleepiness, quality of life, and objective sleep patterns in seasonal allergic rhinitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2004;113:663–668.
  7. Open Access Government. Workers lose 29 million days a year to hay fever. openaccessgovernment.org.
  8. Marshall PS, Colon EA. Effects of allergy season on mood and cognitive function. Ann Allergy. 1993;71:251–258.
  9. Blaiss MS. Allergic rhinitis and impairment issues in schoolchildren: a consensus report. Curr Med Res Opin. 2004;20:1937–1952.
  10. Sundberg R, et al. Nasal symptoms are associated with school performance in adolescents. J Adolesc Health. 2007;40:581–583.
  11. Walker S, et al. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is associated with a detrimental effect on examination performance in UK teenagers. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007;120:381–387.
  12. Allergy UK. Oral Allergy Syndrome. allergyuk.org.
  13. Mayo Clinic. Hay fever: Symptoms and causes. mayoclinic.org.
  14. Gledson A, et al. A comparison of experience sampled hay fever symptom severity across rural and urban areas of the UK. Research Square. 2022.
  15. ITN Business. Why are allergies on the rise? business.itn.co.uk.
  16. Cleveland Clinic. Histamine intolerance. my.clevelandclinic.org.
  17. de Batlle J, et al. Mediterranean diet is associated with reduced asthma and rhinitis in Mexican children. Allergy. 2008;63(10):1310-6.
  18. Chatzi L, et al. Protective effect of fruits, vegetables and the Mediterranean diet on asthma and allergies among children in Crete. Thorax. 2007;62(8):677-83.
  19. Chatzi L, Kogevinas M. Prenatal and childhood Mediterranean diet and the development of asthma and allergies in children. Public Health Nutr. 2009;12(9A):1629-34.
  20. Bucca C, et al. Effect of vitamin C on histamine bronchial responsiveness of patients with allergic rhinitis. Ann Allergy. 1990;65(4):311-4.
  21. Yamada S, et al. Effects of repeated oral intake of a quercetin-containing supplement on allergic reaction. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2022;26(12):4331-4345.
  22. Mlcek J, et al. Quercetin and its antiallergic immune response. Molecules. 2016;21:623.
  23. Watts AM, et al. The Gut Microbiome of Adults with Allergic Rhinitis Is Characterised by Reduced Diversity. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2021;182(2):94-105.
  24. Kawamoto Y, et al. Prevention of allergic rhinitis by ginger and the molecular basis of immunosuppression by 6-gingerol through T cell inactivation. J Nutr Biochem. 2016;27:112-22.
  25. Kurup VP, Barrios CS. Immunomodulatory effects of curcumin in allergy. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2008;52(9):1031-9.
  26. Li J, et al. The gut microbiome and allergic rhinitis; refocusing on the role of probiotics as a treatment option. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2023;280(2):511-517.
  27. Güvenç IA, et al. Do probiotics have a role in the treatment of allergic rhinitis? A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2016;30(5):157-175.
  28. Vliagoftis H, et al. Probiotics for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and asthma: systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2008;101(6):570-9.
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