Are you aware that you are at risk of suffering from allergy symptoms that increase significantly if you have certain underlying medical conditions? Asthma, illness or trauma, unmanaged stress, pregnancy, and food allergies can increase your risk of allergies.
These allergic conditions can adversely affect the immune system and how it functions. One suffers from allergic symptoms when our bodies release histamine in response to an allergen. A well-built immune system is key to fighting against seasonal allergies.
According to Johns Hopkins, “Allergies are specifically the disorder of the immune system. Your body overreacts to harmless substances and produces antibodies to attack the substance. This is what is responsible for causing symptoms in an individual”.
What is Allergic rhinitis (AR) and what are its causes?
Allergic rhinitis is a condition that causes nose and eye symptoms because of an allergic reaction to something that you breathe into your body. AR can start at any stage of life and can run in families. There are multiple types of allergens that can ultimately trigger an allergic response, which may also include plant pollen from trees and grasses, and also dust, mold, dust, and pet hair. Allergic rhinitis can blunt the sense of smell, and it can also cause interference with the other important functions of the nose.
What are the symptoms of allergic rhinitis?
One starts experiencing the following symptoms within minutes of exposure to an allergen:
- Runny nose
- Itchy nose, throat, and eyes.
- Burning sensations
- Watery eyes (may look red due to allergic conjunctivitis)
- Sneezing
Without treatment, you may also develop:
- Coughing
- Eyelid swelling
- Sore throat
- Fatigue or irritability
- Stuffy nose
- Headaches
Approximately 20-30% of the Indian population suffers from at least one allergic disease,out of which 15% develop asthma in the later stages.6
Current treatment for allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis can be treated with medications such as:
- Nasal sprays
- Oral antihistamines
- Decongestants
- Leukotriene inhibitors
- Allergy shots
The currently available therapeutic options provide symptomatic relief. However, the long-term usage of these therapies (nasal drops and sprays) may further worsen the symptoms ultimately affecting the quality of life in patients. Taking into consideration these challenges faced by current treatments there is a need for a long-term management option that may prevent repetitive allergic strikes.
The best Probiotic solution available for treating Allergic Rhinitis (AR) is BLM Alpro, proven to exert beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases by working through the gut-lung axis thereby proving an effective, safe, and alternative long-term solution for allergy.
BLM Alpro contains a heat-killed species of Lactobacillus paracasei 33 (LP33), it suppresses specific IgE Synthesis and stimulates interleukin-12 production thereby improving the symptoms in perennial allergic rhinitis. It helps to reduce nasal symptoms and airway inflammation caused by hay fever and other seasonal allergies. It’s especially effective in AR, with several studies showing that it helps to improve symptoms of nasal congestion, swollen eyes, and itching.
It is available in the form of capsules and drops, it is recommended to take 1 capsule a day and 7 drops daily for best results.
Clinical study:
- Study design: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
- The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of the probiotic paracasei 33 in allergic rhinitis.
- Subjects: 425 subjects with persistent AR, symptomatic during the grass pollen season, and who had positive skin test or specific IgE to grass pollens
- Outcomes: the primary outcome was the improvement in the Rhinitis Quality of Life (RQLQ) global score
- The secondary outcome was the improvement in the AR symptoms and change in RTSS-5 (rhinitis total symptom score) global score was reported.
- At 5thweek LP-33 consumption was compared with placebo (in addition to loratadine).
- Results: the RQLQ global score decreased significantly more in the LP-33 group than in the placebo group. A significant difference in ocular symptoms (RQLQ) was observed between groups.
- Conclusion: The study showed that LP-33 improves the quality of life of subjects with persistent AR who are currently being treated with an oral H1-antihistamine. Whereas there was no change in nasal symptoms and consistent improvement in ocular symptoms was reported.8,9
Key features:
- Clinically backed, patented strain
- Clinically proven to reduce the frequency and severity of AR.
- Dual action- Anti-allergic with immunostimulant properties.
Reference:
- https://stellarbiotics.com/blogs/blog/treating-seasonal-allergies-with-diet-lifestyle-changes-and-probiotics
- Ahmed M, Billoo AG, Iqbal K. Efficacy of probiotic in perennial allergic rhinitis under five year children: A randomized controlled trial. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences. 2019 Nov;35(6):1538.
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/allergic-rhinitis-your-nose-knows
- Lin WY, Fu LS, Lin HK, Shen CY, Chen YJ. Evaluation of the effect of Lactobacillus paracasei (HF. A00232) in children (6–13 years old) with perennial allergic rhinitis: a 12-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Pediatrics & Neonatology. 2014 Jun 1;55(3):181-8.
- https://mdforlives.com/blog/probiotics-for-respiratory-allergies-and-gut-microbiota/
- Varshney J, Varshney H. Allergic rhinitis: an overview. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery. 2015 Jun;67:143-9.
- Costa DJ, Marteau P, Amouyal M, Poulsen LK, Hamelmann E, Cazaubiel M, Housez B, Leuillet S, Stavnsbjerg M, Molimard P, Courau S. Efficacy and safety of the probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei LP-33 in allergic rhinitis: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (GA2LEN Study). European journal of clinical nutrition. 2014 May;68(5):602-7.
- https://balanceone.com/blogs/news/lactobacillus-paracasei
- https://accessnowurgentcare.com/blog/blogallergic-rhinitis/
