pollen allergy and UC

I doubt it. I'm inclined to think it's the opposite way around, UC makes you more susceptible to seasonal allergies.

Here's a link to from a blog that encapsulates what I've recently read in the GAPS book by Natasha Campbell-McBride.

It basically says that a lot of allergies like hayfever etc stem from a compromised gut like us UCers have.

http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/pollen-is-not-the-problem/

I think when your immune system gets woken up by the allergens, it remembers your colon and decides to attack it while it's up. I've heard many people have this issue. My daughter always has a UC flare when she has a cold. Same idea.

I believe it! Every single spring just as my allergies are acting up so does my UC! It never fails.

A bit if an OT reply, but FWIW when I was doing worm therapies (TSO, hookworm, and human whipworm in that order), in each case my annual late spring/early summer severe hay fever was completely knocked out. However, UC-wise, only the TSO aka pig whipworm eggs had any dampening effect, and it was not that effective and far too expensive to justify its weak (even at 2x dose) effect- nevertheless clearly worms can and do modulate the immune system to some extent.

I never had pollen allergies 'til after I developed UC. However, I did start getting allergic reactions to insect bites as a teen. (Seems I'm a big histamine producer!) This year my pollen allergy kicked in ca. 2 months early-- apparently due to a mild winter, which activated tree pollenation ahead of usual time. A few days ago I went for my annual ophthalmology check-up; the ophthal asked how my allergies were behaving the minute I walked into her office! Said she has been hearing a very high number of pollen allergy complaints the past couple months. So our bodies can also react to exceptional environmental "events" like this one. (sigh!) And yes, there have been springs when my UC acted up in tandem with respiratory allergies, a double whammy ... / Old Hat (31 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)

Post Edited (Old Hat) : 4/26/2012 12:00:20 PM (GMT-6)

I think there is a definite link. I rarely have allergies, but when I do, it always leads to a flare.
This theory warrants more study.

I was diagnosed with UC in 1998. For 10 years, I had no flare-ups. Over the past eight years, I've had a flare-up each Spring. I live in the Philadelphia area. My flare-up was so severe last year, I considered starting a biologic regimen but I didn't. I've thought that there was a connection between seasonal allergies and UC. This year I decided to test my theory.

Starting February 1st, I started the following regimen in the AM and PM:

AM
Ayr Nasal Rinse
1 Zyrtec
1 Zantac
1 borage oil gelcap
1 turmeric cap
1 multi-vitamin
1 Singular
3 Lialda

PM
1 Zyrtec
1 Benadryl


This cocktail has worked well for me as I did not have a flare-up this Spring. I might be over-medicated, but it's working. Next year, I'll remove one homeopathic item from the list and determine the impact.

If you'd like to discuss in more detail, feel free to contact me at [email protected].