Medpedia

Each Monday I answer a question posed by one of our readers. If you have an interesting question which you think will have broad appeal please send it to dailydose@righthealth.com. This week’s question comes from Monica M:

Q: Does eating honey help keep allergy symptoms at bay?

A: I picked this question because it’s allergy season again and people are always looking for that wonder cure for their symptoms. Unfortunately, new treatments for allergic rhinitis (aka seasonal allergies, hay fever) have been few and far between. The most common therapies include avoidance of the allergen, antihistamines, nasal decongestants, and nasal steroids. If your symptoms are severe enough, an allergist may try immunotherapy. A couple of things that have been popular in the US in recent years is the neti pot and local honey. A neti pot is a container designed to irrigate your nasal cavity. Some people who use it regularly say it works better than medications. Local honey treatment refers to the idea of consuming raw, unpasturized honey that is produced by bees which live in the immediate region you live. The idea is that you are consuming honey with small amounts of intact pollens and allergens from the plants which you are likely allergic to. In this way, by exposing yourself to small amounts of allergens your body will be less likely to mount a severe immune response over time. This works, in theory. But, studies are still lacking to say that it is a definite cure. As well, keep in mind that this may work for allergies to plants, but not to molds or animals for obvious reasons. If this is something you’d like to try, there are a few cautions which you should heed. Unpasturized honey can cause allergic reactions – especially because there can be a lot of potential allergens in it. Also, honey can contain bacteria which causes botulism, especially in children. Therefore, unpasturized and/or improperly prepared and stored honey should never be given to young children. And as always, it’s a good idea to first speak with your doctor before starting any new drugs or therapies.

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