Dealing with allergies: 'Manage the underlying inflammation, not the symptoms'
Spring can be a challenging season for those with seasonal allergies, often filled with sneezing, coughing and wheezing.
Picture: Pixabay
Graeme Raubenheimer interviews Mike Levin, CEO of Allergy Foundation South Africa and Head of the Paediatric Asthma and Allergy Division at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital.
Listen below.
Spring is a season of renewal – longer days filled with sunshine, vibrant blossoms, fresh green leaves, and flourishing grass.
However, this period of natural abundance also brings an increase in pollen, making it a time of flowering and pollination.
For those with seasonal allergies, spring can be a challenging season, often filled with sneezing, coughing and wheezing.
Despite the frustration, Levin cautions against seeking quick fixes, as allergies are complex and require a more thoughtful, long-term approach to manage effectively.
Instead, he emphasises that it's crucial to manage the underlying inflammation, which requires consistent effort and discipline – similar to how someone with diabetes must follow a daily treatment routine.
"There is a background inflammation that is happening in almost all allergic diseases that is resulting eventually in those symptoms."
- Mike Levin, CEO – Allergy Foundation South Africa and Head of the Paediatric Asthma and Allergy Division – Red Cross Children’s Hospital
To reduce exposure to outdoor allergens, Levin recommends the following:
- For eye symptoms: Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen.
- For nasal symptoms: Apply a small amount of Vaseline at the base of your nose or wear a mask.
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.