Hay Fever Relief: Can Chinese Medicine Help?

If hay fever leaves you sneezing all day, rubbing itchy eyes, waking with a blocked nose or feeling exhausted from poor sleep, spring can become something you dread rather than enjoy.

Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is very common. Symptoms can range from occasional sneezing and a runny nose to persistent nasal congestion, itchy or watery eyes, headaches and disrupted sleep.

So, can Chinese medicine and acupuncture help with hay fever?

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine may help reduce hay fever symptoms and can be used as part of an individualised approach to managing allergic rhinitis. Treatment can be particularly helpful for people who find that hay fever returns every year or whose symptoms interfere with sleep, work, exercise or everyday life.

What is hay fever?

Hay fever is an allergic reaction to substances in the environment, such as pollen, grasses, mould or dust mites.

When you are exposed to an allergen, your immune system reacts and releases chemicals such as histamine. This can cause inflammation and irritation in the nose and eyes.

Hay fever isn’t just about sneezing. For some people, the symptoms can be persistent and quite disruptive, affecting sleep, concentration, energy levels and general enjoyment of everyday life.

What are the symptoms of hay fever?

Common symptoms include:

• Sneezing
• Runny or blocked nose
• Itchy nose or throat
• Itchy, watery or irritated eyes
• Post-nasal drip
• Coughing
• Headaches
• Mouth breathing or snoring
• Poor sleep and tiredness

Some people experience only mild symptoms from time to time, while others find that hay fever continues for weeks or months and has a significant impact on their quality of life.

Hay fever or a cold?

It can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between hay fever and a cold, particularly when you have a runny or blocked nose.

Hay fever tends to cause itchy eyes, an itchy nose, repeated sneezing and clear nasal discharge. Colds are caused by viruses and may be accompanied by a sore throat, cough, feeling unwell or a fever.

Another clue is how long your symptoms last. Hay fever can continue for as long as you are exposed to the allergen, whereas a typical cold usually settles within several days to a couple of weeks.

If you’re unsure about the cause of your symptoms, it’s worth getting appropriate medical advice.

Can acupuncture help hay fever?

Research suggests that acupuncture may help reduce symptoms of allergic rhinitis, including sneezing, nasal congestion and other allergy-related symptoms.

Acupuncture is thought to influence inflammatory and immune responses as well as the nervous system. Research into acupuncture for allergic rhinitis is ongoing, and results vary between studies, but there is evidence to suggest it may be helpful for some people.

At Mei Hua Clinic, treatment is tailored to your particular symptoms rather than using the same approach for everyone with hay fever.

If your main problem is a constantly blocked nose, for example, your treatment may be quite different from someone whose main symptoms are itchy eyes, sneezing and a constantly running nose.

How does Chinese medicine approach hay fever?

Chinese medicine looks at the individual pattern of symptoms rather than treating hay fever as exactly the same condition in every person.

This means we look at your hay fever symptoms as well as your general health and how your body responds to changes in the environment.

Your treatment may focus on reducing the symptoms you are experiencing now while also considering why your hay fever tends to flare at particular times of the year.

Acupuncture may be used on its own or combined with Chinese herbal medicine and practical lifestyle advice.

The aim is to help you feel better and manage your symptoms, rather than simply telling you to put up with hay fever until the season passes.

Chinese herbal medicine for hay fever

Chinese herbal medicine can sometimes be used alongside acupuncture to help manage allergic rhinitis.

Unlike a single over-the-counter remedy that is intended for everyone, Chinese herbal medicine is individually prescribed. Your practitioner will consider your symptoms and overall health when deciding whether herbal medicine is appropriate.

For example, treatment may be different depending on whether your main problem is a blocked nose, clear watery nasal discharge, frequent sneezing, itchy eyes, sinus pressure or symptoms that return at a particular time of year.

If you take prescription medication or other supplements, always let your practitioner know. This is particularly important when considering Chinese herbal medicine, as herbs can interact with some medications.

When is the best time to start treatment?

You don’t have to wait until your hay fever is at its worst before seeking treatment.

If you know that your symptoms usually begin at a particular time of year, starting treatment before your usual hay fever season may be helpful. This can be particularly useful if you find yourself dreading the arrival of spring because you know what is coming.

Treatment can also be started once your symptoms have appeared. If you’re already sneezing, struggling with a blocked nose, waking because you can’t breathe comfortably or rubbing your itchy eyes all day, you don’t need to wait until next season.

What can you do to reduce hay fever symptoms?

Reducing your exposure to allergens can help minimise symptoms. During periods of high pollen, you may find it helpful to keep windows closed, particularly in the bedroom, and to check local pollen forecasts.

After spending time outdoors, showering and changing your clothes can help remove pollen. Washing your hair before bed can also be useful, particularly if you have been outside on a high-pollen day.

It can also help to avoid drying clothes outside when pollen levels are high, as pollen can collect on clothing and bedding.

For some people, a saline nasal rinse can help clear allergens from the nasal passages. If your symptoms are troublesome, your pharmacist or healthcare practitioner can also advise you about conventional hay fever treatments such as antihistamines or nasal sprays.

Chinese medicine can be used alongside other approaches to managing hay fever. You don’t necessarily have to choose between acupuncture and conventional treatments.

Can I have acupuncture if I take antihistamines?

In many cases, acupuncture can be used alongside conventional hay fever treatments such as antihistamines or nasal sprays.

It’s important to tell your Chinese medicine practitioner about any medications, supplements or other treatments you are using so that your treatment can be planned appropriately.

If you are considering Chinese herbal medicine, your practitioner should also know about any prescription or over-the-counter medications you take.

What happens during a Chinese medicine consultation for hay fever?

Your first consultation is an opportunity to look at your symptoms in detail and understand how hay fever affects you.

We’ll talk about when your symptoms started, whether they are seasonal or present throughout the year, what tends to trigger them and which symptoms bother you most. We’ll also look at things such as your sleep, energy levels and general health, as well as any medications or supplements you are taking.

From there, we can develop an individual treatment approach.

This may include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine or a combination of treatments, depending on what is appropriate for you.

Hay fever treatment in Redcliffe and North Brisbane

If hay fever is affecting your sleep, work, exercise or enjoyment of spring and summer, you don’t simply have to put up with it.

At Mei Hua Clinic in Redcliffe, we provide individualised acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatment for people experiencing hay fever and allergic rhinitis.

Whether your symptoms have just started or you know that hay fever is a problem for you every year, treatment can be tailored to your individual needs.

Ready to breathe a little easier?

If hay fever is getting in the way of your everyday life, book a consultation at Mei Hua Clinic to discuss how acupuncture and Chinese medicine may be able to help manage your symptoms.