Support Seasonal Immunity As Spring Allergies Emerge

Just when you thought the flu season was behind us, a new threat in the form of spring allergies emerges ready to overwhelm your immune system if you don’t take the right measures to support your body.

Spring’s arrival may herald a turn in the temperatures, but allergens can also trigger an immune response like that caused by winter cold and flu bugs.

READ MORE | Tips to avoid the seasonal sniffles when taking your training outdoors

Shared immune mechanism

While winter flu is caused by a virus and seasonal allergies by a harmless substance like pollen, there are similarities in how our immune system responds to both, with the release of inflammatory chemical messengers that trigger symptoms as the common denominator.

These chemical mediators include histamine (especially in allergies) and cytokines (common in viral infections). Once released, they result in inflammation that causes many overlapping symptoms, such as:

• Runny or stuffy nose (rhinitis): Inflammation and swelling of the nasal passages.
• Sneezing: An attempt to forcefully expel the irritant or pathogen.
• Sore throat and cough: Often due to post-nasal drip, where mucus from the irritated sinuses drains down the back of the throat.

However, the crucial difference lies in what the immune system is reacting to, as our immune system mounts an attack to destroy a virus once it is detected, whereas allergic reactions stem from a harmless substance like pollen that is misidentified as a threat, leading to an overreaction and the unnecessary release of inflammatory chemicals.

Am I sick, or just suffering from allergies?

• Allergies are not accompanied by a fever, aches, and general muscle and body pain, as are flus and colds.
• A cough and sore throat are occasionally found with allergies, but almost always appear with a cold.
• If symptoms persist for longer than 7-10 days, it is generally considered to be an allergy.

READ MORE | Spring likely to be longer, which may be bad news for those with seasonal allergies

 Springtime sniffles

Spring is peak allergen season because the warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours prompt grasses, flowers, trees and weeds to bloom.

Pollen counts usually increase during September, October and November, along with mould and fungal spore levels as trees, flowers, weeds and grasses produce more of these natural substances.

As pollen and spore counts rise and spread in the wind, they can land in our eyes, noses, and lungs, where they can trigger an allergic reaction, leaving us congested and wheezy, or dealing with bouts of sneezing, sniffles, coughing, and itchy eyes.

These symptoms can leave you feeling uncomfortable due to the sinus pressure and can disrupt sleep, leaving you feeling tired, run-down and lethargic. As fatigue sets in, allergies can make life unpleasant for those who suffer from seasonal allergies (aka hay fever or allergic rhinitis).

Allergic respiratory diseases affect about 20 million South Africans, with pollen and fungal allergens among the leading triggers¹. Climate change is also making allergy seasons longer², as higher temperatures lead to longer pollen seasons.

Finding relief

There are various ways to reduce symptoms and alleviate congestion if you suffer from seasonal allergies, with a consultation with your doctor a sensible first step to determine the best type of decongestant, oral or nasal steroid medication, antihistamine, and/or saline spray.

If you suffer from severe seasonal allergies, the best approach is to avoid or minimise your exposure to potential allergens by staying indoors in an air-conditioned environment with the windows closed. However, avoid indoor areas that are damp or have mould.

Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night as the body produces protective immune proteins (cytokines) while you sleep. What’s more, chronic sleep deprivation weakens your immune response, making you more vulnerable and potentially intensifying allergic reactions.

Exercise is also a good way to reduce congestion and support blood flow to boost the immune response. If you head outdoors to train, avoid heavily wooded or grassy areas, and avoid going out on warm, dry and windy days, or areas with freshly cut grass. Train before 10h00 or after 16h00, as pollen counts are highest between these times.

Supplement support

Supplements may also complement your approach, with immune-boosting micronutrients such as vitamins C and D, zinc and a comprehensive multivitamin complex, ideal ways to support your body’s natural response. 

A product like Biogen Vitamin C 1000mg supports immune cell function³, while Biogen Vitamin D3 1000iu helps regulate the immune response⁴, and Biogen Zinc Complex Plus provides this important mineral necessary for the development and communication of immune cells⁵.

You can also cover all your bases with a comprehensive multivitamin and mineral complex, like Biogen Multi Vitamin+, which includes all three micronutrients along with other important vitamins and minerals, or Biogen Immuno Boost Fizzy, which is formulated with ingredients like Echinacea, vitamin C and zinc, which contribute to the normal function of the immune system.

Hydration help

Another often overlooked and underutilised tool to support our immune system is optimal hydration⁶. Drinking sufficient water every day, with added electrolytes at least once a day from a product like Biogen REVITALYTE Electrolyte Replenishment Powder, supports hydration.

This advanced electrolyte and antioxidant formula supports energy metabolism and protects against excessive free radical damage to support overall cellular health. These are important benefits when your body is battling the inflammatory response triggered by seasonal allergies.

When the body is dehydrated, which is common when temperatures start rising in spring, it can sometimes increase the production or release of histamine, which can exacerbate symptoms like itching, sneezing, and a runny nose.

By staying hydrated, you help maintain your body’s normal fluid balance, which is thought to assist in the proper regulation and metabolism of histamine, potentially reducing the amount of histamine the body feels compelled to release.

Proper fluid intake also helps your body produce thinner, more watery mucus, which may help to ease congestion and reduce the discomfort of post-nasal drip and coughing⁷.

References:

1. Ajikah, Linus & Neumann, Frank & Berman, Dilys & Peter, Jonny. (2020). Aerobiology in South Africa: A new hope!. South African Journal of Science. 116. 10.17159/sajs.2020/8112.
2. Schreurs, W., Schermer, T.R.J., Akkermans, R.P. et al. 25-year retrospective longitudinal study on seasonal allergic rhinitis associations with air temperature in general practice. npj Prim. Care Respir. Med. 32, 54 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41533-022-00319-2.
3. Carr AC, Maggini S. Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients. 2017 Nov 3;9(11):1211. doi: 10.3390/nu9111211. PMID: 29099763; PMCID: PMC5707683.
4. Martens PJ, Gysemans C, Verstuyf A, Mathieu AC. Vitamin D’s Effect on Immune Function. Nutrients. 2020 Apr 28;12(5):1248. doi: 10.3390/nu12051248. PMID: 32353972; PMCID: PMC7281985.
5. Maares M, Haase H. Zinc and immunity: An essential interrelation. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2016 Dec 1;611:58-65. doi: 10.1016/j.abb.2016.03.022. Epub 2016 Mar 26. PMID: 27021581.
6. Vora A, Kalra S, Thakor P, Malve H, Chamle V, Patil A. Connecting the Dots: Hydration, Micronutrients, and Immunity. J Assoc Physicians India. 2024 Jun;72(6S):25-29. doi: 10.59556/japi.72.0546. PMID: 38932732.
7. Anderson WH, Coakley RD, Button B, Henderson AG, Zeman KL, Alexis NE, Peden DB, Lazarowski ER, Davis CW, Bailey S, Fuller F, Almond M, Qaqish B, Bordonali E, Rubinstein M, Bennett WD, Kesimer M, Boucher RC. The Relationship of Mucus Concentration (Hydration) to Mucus Osmotic Pressure and Transport in Chronic Bronchitis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2015 Jul 15;192(2):182-90. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201412-2230OC. PMID: 25909230; PMCID: PMC4532825.