PROBIOTICS could ease hay fever symptoms, research shows.
Some “friendly” bacteria, which can be taken in supplement pills, can help reduce blocked noses, itching and sneezing, experts believe.
GettyProbiotics could help treat hay fever and reduce blocked noses, itching and sneezing, research has shown[/caption]
Lactobacillus acidophilus — available from around 11p per tablet — reduced symptoms in sufferers, a review of 31 studies and 18 human trials found.
Another strain called Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, which is also offered as a supplement, was found to help reduce hay fever developing in infants in separate studies.
Probiotics seem to help relieve symptoms by dampening the bodies immune response.
Hay fever is triggered by the body overreacting to pollen produced by plants in spring and summer.
The body mistakes the pollen for an infection, and floods the affected areas with histamines, which cause the symptoms.
Around a third of Brits suffer from allergies or hay fever — around 21million children and adults in total.
Patients can get over-the-counter antihistamines or a GP may prescribe steroid treatments, such as nasal sprays that reduce swelling and mucus.
However, a new band of research has shown hay fever sufferers often have less diversity in their gut microbiome.
This can lead to higher levels of inflammation — an immune response to allergens — prompting calls to look into how taking particular bacteria could help treat the condition at its cause.
The research looking at Lactobacillus acidophilus was published in the International Archives of Allergy and Immunology.
Dr Axel Lorents, of the University of Hohenheim, said: “Administration of Lactobacillus strains could positively affect patients by alleviating allergic symptoms.
“Negative effects were not reported, thus, the treatment with probiotic Lactobacillus strains appears to be suitable for patients.
“Half of the considered human trials used capsules, revealed significant positive effects on nasal or ocular symptoms, and reduced the risk in hay fever.”
A different study, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, looked at how taking daily probiotic powder influences symptoms.
A group of 20 severe hay fever sufferers saw their condition improve, when compared to another group of 20 that were given a placebo
Dr Karin Ried, director of research at the National Institute of Integrative Medicine in Maryland, US, said the research suggested the probiotics work.
She said: “Probiotic formula, if taken for a 10–12 week period during the hay fever season, is effective in reducing symptoms, such as runny nose and itchy eyes.
“Probiotic intake improved participants’ quality of life, including better functionality during the day, better sleep, less fatigue, less thirst, and less irritability.”
Taking the powder three weeks before hay fever symptoms start is key to priming the microbiome for the pollen season, she added.