The Truth About Spring Allergies & What Really Helps

If you find yourself sneezing, congested, foggy-headed, or itchy-eyed every spring, you’re not alone—but pollen isn’t the only culprit. What many people don’t realise is that hay fever is not just an overreaction to the environment—it’s often a sign of something deeper going on in the body.

Let’s look at what’s really behind those springtime symptoms—and more importantly, what actually helps.

1. Gut Health & Histamine Overload

Most of your immune system lives in your gut, so if your gut is inflamed or imbalanced, your body is far more likely to overreact to environmental triggers like pollen.

Some gut issues that worsen hay fever:

• Leaky gut – Allows undigested particles and toxins into the bloodstream, triggering an immune response.

• Dysbiosis – When bad bacteria outweigh the good, it can increase inflammation and immune reactivity.

• Low DAO enzyme activity – DAO is the enzyme that breaks down histamine. If your gut lining is damaged or inflamed, DAO production drops, and histamine builds up.

This leads to histamine intolerance—where even small amounts of histamine (from foods or the environment) cause headaches, itching, sneezing, sinus pressure, and fatigue.

2. Inflammation Makes Allergies Worse

When your body is inflamed—due to processed foods, sugar, stress, poor sleep, or toxins—your immune system becomes hypersensitive. Inflammation amplifies your reaction to histamine, making symptoms more intense.

Reducing inflammation can drastically calm your body’s response to allergens. Start with:

• Whole, unprocessed foods rich in antioxidants

• Omega-3 fats (like flaxseed, wild salmon, walnuts)

• Turmeric, ginger, and leafy greens

• Cutting back on sugar, alcohol, and ultra-processed snacks

3. Natural Antihistamines That Actually Work

Instead of relying on over-the-counter meds that often cause drowsiness or dependency, and other side effects mentioned below, try these natural options that work with your body:

Quercetin – A plant flavonoid that stabilises mast cells and prevents histamine release. Found in red onions, apples, and supplements.

Vitamin C – A natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory. Pair it with quercetin for a powerful combo.

Stinging Nettle – A herb that acts like a natural antihistamine and helps reduce sneezing, itching, and congestion.

Bromelain – An enzyme from pineapple that breaks down mucus and reduces inflammation in the sinuses.

Local raw honey – Can help desensitise your body to local pollen over time, especially when taken daily before allergy season starts.

4. Quick Relief: Nasal Rinse + Essential Oils

Sometimes you just need fast relief—and this is where a few simple tools come in handy.

Saline nasal rinse or neti pot – Flushing your nasal passages helps clear out pollen, dust, and histamine build-up, reducing congestion and pressure almost instantly.

Essential oil blend for congestion relief:

2 drops eucalyptus

2 drops peppermint

1 drop lavender

Mix with a carrier oil (like coconut or jojoba) and rub on the chest or under the nose. You can also diffuse it for a clearing, calming effect.

Why Over-the-Counter Allergy Meds Aren’t the Long-Term Answer

For many people, popping an antihistamine is the first (and only) step they take when hay fever hits. But what most don’t realise is that these meds come with side effects, and they don’t address the root cause of allergies—they just suppress the symptoms.

Here’s what you’re not told:

Fatigue & Brain Fog – First-generation antihistamines (like Piriton) often cross the blood-brain barrier, causing drowsiness, slow thinking, and low mood. Even newer ones can subtly affect mental clarity and focus over time.

Dryness & Dehydration – Many allergy meds dry up mucus membranes, leading to dry eyes, nose, mouth, and sometimes even constipation. This can weaken your body’s natural detox pathways, making it harder to flush out allergens and toxins.

Increased Heart Rate & Anxiety – Decongestants (like pseudoephedrine, often found in combination meds) can cause palpitations, restlessness, and a wired-but-tired feeling, especially if you already have adrenal issues or are sensitive to stimulants.

Long-Term Use Can Worsen the Problem – Regular suppression of symptoms can interfere with your immune system's natural regulation, leading to worsening histamine sensitivity over time. You may even notice you develop new allergies or sensitivities.

Masking Deeper Issues – These medications never address what’s really driving your symptoms—gut inflammation, poor detoxification, nutrient deficiencies, or histamine intolerance.

Here’s what’s rarely talked about:

Disrupts the Gut Microbiome – Antihistamines may alter the balance of bacteria in the gut. Your gut flora plays a key role in regulating histamine, immune response, and inflammation. When this balance is disturbed, histamine intolerance can get worse over time, not better.

Weakens the Gut Lining – Some medications, including common antihistamines and NSAIDs (often used alongside allergy meds), can contribute to leaky gut by damaging the intestinal lining. This increases your sensitivity to allergens and contributes to systemic inflammation.

Drying Effect on Mucous Membranes – Antihistamines dry out not just your sinuses but also your digestive tract. This can interfere with enzyme production, bile flow, and proper digestion—making it harder to absorb nutrients and eliminate waste effectively.

Final Thoughts

Spring allergies aren’t just bad luck or something you have to put up with. If your gut, liver, and immune system are in good shape, your body can handle histamine without going into meltdown mode.

So if you’re still relying on antihistamines and hoping for the best, it might be time to dig a little deeper—and try a more holistic approach.

You don’t have to suffer through allergy season. If you're stuck in a cycle of sneezing, fatigue, or relying on meds that leave you foggy and flat—there’s a better way.

I can help you look at what’s really going on beneath the surface—inflammation, gut health, histamine intolerance, and nervous system imbalance—and support your body in healing naturally.

If you’re ready to get to the root of it, book in a free discovery call to get started.

Let’s calm the chaos from the inside out.