Vaccine Shedding: Facts, Myths, & More
Probiotics And Prebiotics Alleviate Symptoms Of Allergic Rhinitis
ALLERGIC rhinitis (AR) is a chronic respiratory inflammatory condition mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE) upon exposure to inhaled allergens. Characterised by symptoms such as sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and pruritus, AR affects around 40% of the global population. Its impact on quality of life, productivity, and psychological well-being is substantial, compounded by the increasing incidence rate and socioeconomic burden. Traditional management strategies have limitations, necessitating the exploration of innovative treatments. Recent research highlights the role of intestinal microbiota in immune system regulation and AR development.
Studies reveal significant differences in gut microbiota composition between AR patients and healthy individuals. Reduced short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), vital metabolites produced by gut bacteria, have been linked to worsened allergic inflammation. Probiotics and prebiotics, which modulate gut flora, offer promising therapeutic avenues. A notable clinical trial conducted in northwest China examined the effects of probiotics combined with prebiotics on seasonal AR patients. Over 90 days, participants reported improvements in nasal symptoms and reduced dependency on antihistamines, with changes in microbiota composition suggesting restored immune balance.
The trial found increased beneficial gut bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, alongside reduced pro-inflammatory species. Key immune markers, including TNF-α and INF-γ, were elevated, supporting a shift towards a Th1-mediated immune response and reduced Th17 activity. Additionally, SCFAs like acetate were positively correlated with symptom relief and immune modulation. These findings suggest that probiotics and prebiotics mitigate AR symptoms by influencing gut microbiota, metabolic pathways, and systemic immunity via the gut-lung axis.
While this research provides compelling evidence for microbial intervention, it highlights gaps requiring further exploration, such as optimal strains, doses, and the precise mechanisms underlying microbiota-immunity interactions. Despite these limitations, the study underscores the potential of probiotic-prebiotic therapies as effective, adjunctive treatments for AR, paving the way for personalised, microbiota-focused healthcare solutions.
Reference
Hou Y et al. Probiotics combined with prebiotics alleviated seasonal allergic rhinitis by altering the composition and metabolic function of intestinal microbiota: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Front Immunol. 2024;15:1439830.
Pollen Allergies
Pollen is a yellow powder made by plants as part of their reproductive cycle. It floats in the air and can enter your mouth, nose, and eyes. Pollen is usually harmless. But for people with pollen allergies, it can trigger a stuffy nose, itchy eyes, headaches, and other symptoms.
Different plants make different kinds of pollen. You might be allergic to pollen from trees, grass, or weeds. Each of these plants makes pollen at different times of the year, usually when the plant is blooming. This is when your pollen allergy symptoms are usually worst. Tree pollen causes allergies in the spring, grass pollen in the summer, and weed pollen in the fall.
Some people call pollen allergies "seasonal allergic rhinitis" or "hay fever."
Plants release a fine powder called pollen that causes allergic reactions for many people.
When you have a pollen allergy, your immune system mistakes pollen for a dangerous invader, such as a germ. Because it thinks that germs are attacking the body, it tries to fight off the pollen. It releases chemicals meant to kill germs. These chemicals cause symptoms such as congestion, puffy eyes, and runny nose. These symptoms help flush germs out of the body. But when they're part of an allergic reaction, they're more harmful than helpful.
You may be allergic to pollen from certain plants but not others. Some people are allergic to tree pollen, which is in the air in spring. Others have a problem with grass pollen, which is more of a summertime issue. Still others have trouble with weed pollen, which is common in the fall.
Plants that give off the most pollen include:
About 20 million Americans are allergic to pollen. Some people are allergic to tree pollen, which is in the air in spring. Others have a problem with grass pollen, which is more of a summertime issue. Still others have trouble with weed pollen, which is common in the fall.
Plants that give off the most pollen include:
For most people, pollen causes problems when you breathe it in. But it can also cause symptoms when you touch it or get it into your eyes.
Common symptoms of pollen allergies include:
Can pollen allergies cause sore throat?
Yes. During an allergic reaction, your body makes extra mucus. This mucus is supposed to trap allergens so you can blow them out your nose (and into a tissue). But some of that mucus doesn't come out your nose; instead, it drips down the back of your throat. This is called postnasal drip. It irritates your throat, causing inflammation and swelling.
If you think you might have a pollen allergy, see your doctor. They will probably ask about your health history and symptoms, such as whether your symptoms are worse at certain times of the year.
There are two ways to test for a pollen allergy: a blood test and a skin prick test.
A blood test checks for an antibody called IgE. This is a substance made by the immune system. It's specifically designed to cause an allergic reaction to pollen, so if you have it, you're probably allergic.
In a skin prick test, a doctor called an allergist pricks your skin with a tiny needle containing a drop of pollen. After waiting a few minutes, the doctor will look at your skin for redness, swelling, itchiness, or other signs of an allergic reaction.
There are a few ways to treat pollen allergies and their symptoms:
Nasal irrigation. This is when you rinse out your sinuses using a squeeze bottle, neti pot, or other device with a saltwater (saline) solution. It can help remove the allergen from your nasal passages and relieve stuffiness,
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Antihistamines block histamine, the chemical your body makes when it comes in contact with an allergen such as pollen. Histamine causes allergic reactions, so blocking it will help relieve symptoms. Some common antihistamines include Zyrtec, Benadryl, and Claritin. Depending on the type, they could be a pill, liquid, or nasal spray.
If your nose is stuffy, decongestants can help. They calm the swelling in your nose, helping you breathe easier. You can get them as a pill, liquid, or nasal spray. Some medications contain both an antihistamine and a decongestant. Decongestants can easily become addictive, so don't take them for longer than five days.
Some other nasal sprays help with allergy symptoms, too. These might contain corticosteroids, which bring down the swelling in your nostrils. This should help get rid of the stuffy feeling and help you breathe. One option is Flonase.
Prescription medication. If the OTC drugs don't work, your doctor may prescribe something stronger. Some prescribed meds block chemicals other than histamine that can trigger allergies. Others treat the symptoms caused by certain kinds of weed or grass pollen.
Allergy shots. If medications don't work for you, allergy shots may help. You'll go to the allergist every few weeks for the doctor to inject a tiny amount of pollen under your skin. Over time, the shots will contain more pollen, which will help your body get used to the trigger.
The best way to prevent pollen allergies is to avoid pollen. Some ways to do this are:
Check the weather. Your local weather report should give you the day's pollen count, which measures how much pollen is in the air. It also usually tells you which plants are giving it off. Pollen counts are higher when it's warm, dry, and windy and lower when it's cool, rainy, and wet. If you know it's going to be a high-pollen day, stay inside as much as you can. The yard work can wait.
Keep pollen out. Instead of opening the windows in your car or at home, run your air conditioner with a HEPA filter to remove pollen from the air. Don't hang your laundry on a line to dry or it may pick up pollen; use the dryer instead. If you've spent time outside, change your clothing, shower, and wash your hair before you get into bed. If you don't, you'll transfer pollen to your pillow and blankets and breathe it in all night. If you let your pet spend time outside, don't allow it into your bedroom.
Create a pollen buffer outside. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and a hat to keep pollen off your hair.
Take medicine. When pollen counts are high, take your medication before you notice symptoms to stop them before they start.
If you have a pollen allergy, you may notice that your mouth gets itchy after eating certain fruits or vegetables. This is a common condition called oral allergy syndrome. It affects up to 3 in 4 people who have a birch pollen allergy. But it also can happen in people with other types of pollen allergies, such as grass and ragweed.
Pollen is made of tiny proteins. Pollen proteins look a lot like the proteins found in some fruits and vegetables. Because of this, it's easy for your immune system to confuse the two. For example, it might think the proteins in an apple are actually pollen proteins. Your immune system mistakes these proteins for invaders such as germs, so it launches an allergic reaction.
Usually, this allergic reaction causes your mouth, lips, tongue, or throat to get itchy and swollen. It tends to happen immediately after eating, but it could happen over an hour later. Although pollen allergies tend to peak at certain times of the year, oral allergy syndrome can happen in any season. However, the reaction might be worse in allergy season.
Oral allergy syndrome is a type of mild food allergy. It's not usually dangerous, but in rare cases, it can cause difficulty breathing or anaphylactic shock. If you have trouble breathing or swallowing after eating a fruit or vegetable, call 911 right away.
Pollen foods
The types of foods that trigger oral allergy syndrome depend on what kind of pollen you are allergic to. For example, if you are allergic to grass pollen, you might develop an itchy mouth after eating peaches.
If you're allergic to birch pollen, foods that could trigger oral allergy syndrome include:
If you're allergic to grass pollen, foods that could trigger oral allergy syndrome include:
If you're allergic to ragweed pollen, foods that could trigger oral allergy syndrome include:
If you're allergic to mugwort pollen, foods that could trigger oral allergy syndrome include:
If you are allergic to pollen, you may not react to every food on this list. You might only get a reaction to one fruit or vegetable, or a specific variety of fruit or vegetable (such as Granny Smith apples).
Oral allergy syndrome only happens for raw foods. That's because cooking destroys the proteins that trigger the allergic reaction. If you have this condition, try sticking to cooked or canned versions of the foods that bother you. You also can try peeling fruits such as apples, because the proteins tend to be concentrated in the peels.
Talk to a doctor if:
When you have a pollen allergy, your immune system mistakes pollen for an invading germ. This leads to symptoms like a stuffy or runny nose, congestion, and puffy eyes. If you think you have a pollen allergy, talk to your doctor about remedies such as over-the-counter and prescription medications.
How can you reduce pollen allergies?
Staying indoors when there's a lot of pollen in the air and taking over-the-counter or prescription medicines can help with pollen allergies.
What is the best medicine for pollen allergies?
In general, antihistamines are good for treating itchy eyes and sneezing, while decongestants and nasal corticosteroids can help with congestion. Each medication has different risks and side effects, so ask your doctor about which is right for you.
Can pollen allergies cause fever?
Allergies themselves don't cause fevers. But the swelling and congestion caused by allergies can make you vulnerable to sinus infections, which can cause fevers.
Different Types Of Allergy Symptoms
Allergy symptoms depend on the type of allergy but may include sneezing, itchy skin, or swelling. Some allergies can cause anaphylaxis, which can be life threatening and requires immediate treatment.
Allergies occur when the body's immune system overreacts to a substance that would otherwise be harmless. There are many different types of allergies, which may each cause different symptoms.
Pollen allergy is a reaction to one or more types of pollen. Other names for pollen allergy include hay fever and seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Pollen allergy is a seasonal allergy, meaning it tends to occur at certain times of the year. Depending on where someone lives, different pollens may trigger allergies at different times of the year.
People with pollen allergy only experience symptoms when the pollen they are allergic to is in the air. Allergy symptoms that occur at the same time every year may be due to pollen.
Symptoms of a pollen allergy may include:
Dust mite allergy symptoms may include:
In some people, dust mite allergy may trigger an asthma attack. These people may experience additional symptoms, such as:
Food allergies may range from mild to severe, and food that triggers mild symptoms on one occasion may cause more severe symptoms on another.
Food allergy symptoms typically occur within 2 hours of ingesting the allergen, and most of these develop within minutes. Rarely, a person may experience a delayed allergic reaction around 4 to 6 hours later.
Food allergies can be life threatening. Symptoms may include:
Insect sting allergy symptoms may include:
However, the ACAAI states that between 1.6% and 5.1% of people who get an insect sting in the United States experience a life threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which requires immediate medical attention.
People can develop allergies to medications, including pills, liquids, and injectable medications. Medication allergies can affect any part of the body. Symptoms may include:
The ACAAI notes that the following medications are common triggers of an allergic reaction:
Anaphylaxis is a severe, life threatening allergic reaction, typically affecting more than one part of the body. Symptoms usually occur within 5 to 30 minutes of contact with an allergen but can sometimes take more than an hour to develop.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. Without immediate treatment, it can be fatal.
The ACAAI states that people should self-administer epinephrine as soon as they begin to experience symptoms of anaphylaxis or knowingly come into contact with an allergen.
It is also best to dial 911 and ask for an ambulance, even if they administer epinephrine.
A person should consider talking with a doctor if they believe they or their child may have an allergy. In some cases, a doctor may refer them to an allergist — a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating allergies and asthma.
Anyone who experiences symptoms of anaphylaxis should call 911 and ask for an ambulance, even if they have self-administered epinephrine.
According to the ACAAI, people who experience anaphylaxis may experience a second anaphylactic reaction up to 12 hours after the initial reaction. Medical professionals call this a "biphasic reaction."
Both types of anaphylactic reaction can be fatal without immediate medical treatment.
What causes sudden allergy symptoms?
People may develop allergies at any stage of their life, but most allergies begin during infancy or early childhood. Allergies may also become more severe over time, which may mean that people only notice them when they are older.
Allergy symptoms usually occur immediately after contact with an allergen but may also take longer. Reactions may vary from person to person.
How can someone reduce allergy symptoms?
People with allergies work with a doctor to create an allergy management plan to help manage their symptoms.
A doctor may suggest avoiding or reducing contact with the allergen and may recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications, including antihistamines.
If someone is at risk of a severe allergic reaction, a doctor may recommend carrying an epinephrine auto-injector at all times and using it when the person knowingly comes into contact with their allergen.
What causes constant allergy symptoms?
People may experience constant allergy symptoms if they regularly come into contact with an allergen.
According to the ACAAI, more than two-thirds of people with springtime allergies experience year-round symptoms. This may indicate that someone has allergies to other pollens or other substances, such as mold spores or dust mites.
Allergies occur when the body's immune system overreacts to a substance that would otherwise be harmless. There are many different types of allergies, and each may be more likely to cause certain symptoms.
Allergies can sometimes cause anaphylaxis, which may lead to swelling of the throat, breathing difficulties, and loss of consciousness. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. Anyone with symptoms should call an ambulance immediately.
People should consider talking with a doctor if they or their child experience symptoms of an allergy. A doctor can work to determine the cause and provide appropriate treatments and management strategies.
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