CBD oil for allergies: can it help?

Regardless of the causes and symptoms of allergies, it is important to start treating them as soon as they start. If you are looking for natural preparations for allergies, you should consider hemp and its component CBD. 

What are allergies? What causes them?

Allergic reactions occur when your immune system overreacts to a foreign substance, such as pollen, bee venom, hair or food, that most people do not react to. They are also known as allergic rhinitis and hay fever. The immune system produces substances known as antibodies. When you have allergies, the immune system creates antibodies that identify a particular allergen as harmful, although this is not the case. When you come into contact with an allergen, the immune system's reaction can inflame your skin, sinuses, respiratory tract or digestive system.

During the spring, the most common allergens are trees and grasses. These pollen particles are released into the air and inhaled by humans, activating the immune system mechanisms. Some of the trees that cause allergies in Europe countries are willow, cedar, alder and cottonwood. 

Severity of allergy

Allergic reactions can be mild to severe.

Allergies exhibit varying levels of severity among individuals, ranging from mild irritation to potential anaphylaxis. While most allergies are not curable, symptoms can be alleviated with appropriate treatment. The manifestation of allergy symptoms, which is contingent on the type of allergen, can negatively impact the respiratory tract, oral and nasal cavities, skin, and digestive system. Allergy symptoms, which depend on the specific allergen, can adversely affect the respiratory tract, oral and nasal cavities, skin and digestive system.

What are the symptoms of allergies?

Allergy symptoms depend on the allergen and how it enters the body.

Airborne allergens:

When allergens are inhaled, the nasal mucosa becomes inflamed and produces excess mucus, resulting in a runny nose, itching and severe sneezing. This condition is called allergic rhinitis and sneezing. Allergies can also cause watery eyes, and in severe cases, sore throat and conjunctivitis can occur. Asthma is a more severe form of allergic reaction.

Food allergens:

When allergens enter the body, symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea and nausea may occur. Later on, a rash may occur, as well as swelling of the mucous membranes or the root of the tongue.

Skin allergens:

Atopic eczema is a type of allergic skin inflammation that often occurs in infants and usually appears as a severely itchy rash on the face, neck or skin folds. Hemp ointment is effective in treating skin allergies.

How is an allergy diagnosed?

Allergies can only be diagnosed by a doctor, an allergist, who specialises in allergies.

It is the allergist who will carry out a series of tests to reveal what the patient is allergic to and suggest the appropriate treatment.

How to treat an allergy?

Usually, the treatment consists of the administration of antihistamines, which, however, may have side symptoms, which are:

• drowsiness
• nausea
• blurred vision
• In more severe cases, corticosteroids are used for treatment.

In recent times, there has been a growing dependence on desensitization treatment, which involves injecting allergens into the body gradually, starting at low concentrations and gradually increasing them. This helps the body become accustomed to the antigen and may lead to a complete lack of reaction following successful treatment. However, this approach is plagued with uncertainties in the outcome, high costs, and significant time investment.

As for food allergies, dietary modifications are often the go-to solution. Alternatively, suitable dietary supplements may help alleviate the allergic reaction.

CBD & Allergies - can it bring relief?

Yes, CBD can alleviate allergy symptoms and boost the immune system.

CBD has several beneficial properties that can make it very useful for people with seasonal allergies. In particular, it can help relieve symptoms as well as nasal sinus pain and ease allergic reactions

• Antimicrobial properties 

CBD oil is believed to open the sinuses and relieve pressure in the nasal passages and protect against nasal congestion. Seasonal allergies can cause inflammation in the throat and sinuses, making it difficult to eat, drink and even speak without discomfort. Cannabinoids can also help your body to fight off the real germs and infections that are trying to develop during an allergy attack.

• Antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties

CBD has strong antihistamine and anti-inflammatory effects. A 2005 study showed that CBD against allergies has an immunomodulatory effect on cells in the respiratory system and acts as an antihistamine. The same study highlighted the anti-inflammatory properties of hemp.

In severe allergies, tissues in the nose, throat and mouth are often inflamed. The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD can help reduce this extreme reaction and alleviate symptoms. 

A 2015 review found that CBD can be an effective treatment for specific diseases characterised by inflammation, which plays an important role in the development of allergies. The most common side effects of allergies are reduced by CBD's interaction with our body's endocannabinoid system:

• relief of nasal pressure
• pain management
• opening of nasal passages
• relief of mucus and nasal congestion
• inducing tranquillity and sleep
• relief of breathing

• Immune system booster

Allergies are also closely linked to the immune system. It takes months or even years after exposure to an allergen before your immune system develops an allergic response to the allergen. A healthy immune system is less likely to overreact to a threat. By taking CBD to treat allergies, you are encouraging your endocannabinoid system to build a strengthened immune system, thereby helping it to fight allergic reactions. By strengthening your immune system, your body gets extra energy to repair damaged tissues and resist reactive allergy attacks. 

How to take CBD for allergies?

The best remedy is often prevention. That's why we highly recommend strengthening your immune system before an allergy occurs. It's best to take CBD every day as a way to prevent allergic reactions.

However, if you didn't manage to take it before your allergy flared up - it's okay. By taking CBD as soon as possible, you can begin to enjoy its full effects with almost no side effects.

Important! Remember that you should consult your doctor when taking CBD.

Choosing the right CBD product 

The best remedy is often prevention. Strengthen the immune system before an attack occurs. CBD, whether in the form of CBD oil, CBD capsules or CBD vaping to treat allergies, is best taken daily as part of a self-care regime.

For us, it's always best to determine where your allergies are bothering you the most.

In any case, we recommend taking CBD internally in the form of CBD oil (usually 10%) or the aforementioned CBD capsules.

If you are bothered by allergies and scratchy throats, use CBD spray! Of course, you can also vape at any time of the day to reduce allergy symptoms. However, the disadvantage of vaporizing is the duration of the effects, which is very short. We, therefore, recommend that you always combine vaping with the use of CBD oil or capsules.

What is the recommended dosage of CBD for allergies?

If you choose to use CBD oil, we recommend dosing CBD it according to the severity of your allergy, choosing a 10% concentration. Start with smaller doses, e.g. one drop in the morning and one drop in the evening, and gradually increase the dose every three days until you have achieved the desired effect.

For those who have difficulty sleeping due to allergies, it is recommended to take CBD capsules. We recommend starting with one capsule a day and taking it at bedtime. As with CBD oil, if there is no noticeable improvement after three days, you can increase the dose to two capsules.

Alternatively, if you prefer vaping CBD, it can be used at any time of the day when you are experiencing allergy symptoms.

Can CBD also be given to children for allergies?

Certainly, CBD can be used in children. However, here you should choose a lower concentration - 5% CBD oil is the ideal choice.

When will I feel relief from my allergy?

As soon as you set the right dosage for your body, relief can be felt within about 3 days.

Read more real testimonials and experiences with CBD oil.

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Resources: 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828614/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425755/

https://www.noveltreemedical.com/new-blog/2021/4/15/can-cbd-help-ease-seasonal-allergies

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7173676/

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Article author:

Ondřej Šťovíček



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