First of all, we know that the menopause stresses our nervous system, and if the nervous system is jumpy and overfires, that's going to have a possible corresponding effect on our immune system.

We know that falling oestrogen and all the hormonal changes that are going on can make us very, very fatigued , and fatigue will have an effect on our immune system. We know that the menopause can affect our sleep, and if we're getting destructive sleep because of sweats or flushes or anxiety then, very quickly, that can have quite a profound effect on how efficient and effective our immune system is.

We know also, that the menopause can affect our digestion. Now, it can affect our absorption, so we may not be getting all the nutrients that we need in order to support our immune system, but it can also affect our friendly bacteria in our digestive system.

And the friendly bacteria are basically the vanguard for our immune system. We need healthy bacteria in order for the immune system to function properly too. So, we've also got dehydration, that can be a big factor in our immune system, and also liver function.

We know that the changing hormones and everything else is going on in the body can stress our liver , and the liver can play a huge part in actually deactivating histamine.

So, you can see already that there's a huge number of issues in the menopause that can then have a detrimental effect on our immune system.

Now, this reaction with histamine can also trigger other allergies such as skin rashes. You can end up being allergic to things that you weren't allergic to before. It can also cause sensitive skin, it can also cause itchy skin, and it can also cause flare ups in your joints as well.

So, what can you do about this whole situation? Well, first of all, look at all the symptoms that I've already mentioned. Is your nervous system under pressure? You know. Maybe look at some extra magnesium , get some nice calming remedies such as Avena Sativa in there as well or a nice vitamin B supplement.

Is your sleep interrupted or disrupted? Then, maybe look at herbs such as valerian and hops. Have you had antibiotics lately? Do you find you get a lot of bloating , a lot of indigestion? Maybe look at taking a probiotic supplement for a month or two just to get those friendly bacteria up and running again.

And remember the fatigue, so try and get a little bit of rest and relaxation in, and your immune system will be eternally grateful even for 30 minutes a day, just to help to calm everything down.

Water, really, really important here. The more histamine in your system and the more dehydrated you are, the stronger the histamine becomes, and therefore, the more you'll react to it and the more swelling, inflammation, and irritation actually occurs. And your liver, you know, maybe do a month of some liver support work with something like Milk Thistle Complex.

So, looking at hayfever itself, if you find that this spring and summer you've started to get hayfever symptoms for the first time, then you can look at things to strengthen your immune system, you can look at maybe taking a course of Echinacea.

We also do a lovely natural hayfever remedy called Pollinosan. It's homeopathic, seems to work quite quickly for most people, it is fine with other medication, so you can take it if you're on HRT , and it doesn't make you drowsy. So, if you have a very busy life where you have to keep your brain in tiptop condition, then it's something you could actually try as well.

If you have suddenly developed hayfever or find that your hayfever symptoms have got worse, then it is important to keep any eye on pollen levels during spring and summer. Our 5-day UK Pollen Forecast is updated daily and includes pollen counts and information for local areas including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool and more.

If you're getting the itchy skin , if you're getting things like hives, if you're getting flare ups at any point during the day, you can look at nettle.

Nettle is a wonderful antihistamine. You can either have nettle tincture , you can also have nettle tea, a couple of cups of nettle tea a day can often be just enough to sort this one out.

Remember vitamin C as well. This is another natural antihistamine, but look at taking it little and often. A huge dose once a day is not going to be as effective as taking it two or three times a day in slightly smaller doses.

If you are getting the itchy skin, if you're getting the irritated skin, if you're getting skin rashes on a regular basis, and maybe if it's nothing to do with hayfever, then look at what you're putting on your skin, look at what you're wearing.

Falling oestrogen can make the skin more sensitive, it can also make the skin thinner, and the skin becomes more reactive to your body creams, your shampoo, your soaps, your shower gels. And also, the fact that, you know, we wash our clothes in chemical detergents, and then we put fabric conditioner on the top, and that can be enough just to irritate our skin at this particular point.

I know myself, up here in Scotland, in the winter, it can get quite cold, and I always used to find that wearing pure woolen jumpers or occasionally something like angora was lovely and toasty.

But I found going through the menopause, that my skin became really sensitive and if I put on these types of jumpers, my skin would itch whole day long. So, I had to kind of forego those for a little while until everything settled down.

Look at going for natural washing powders and conditioners, and going for more natural skin creams. And your local health food shop will probably have a nice range that will suit all sorts of purses. And if you're really stuck, and I've seen me doing it sometimes after having a shower and my skin's been feeling really dry and I've had nothing in the bathroom cabinet, is your coconut oil, which very often you can use for cooking.

If you get a nice organic one, you can actually use that for the skin as well and it keeps everything lovely and soft. So, as you can see, there is a whole range of issues here that can make us more allergic to things, more sensitive to things as well. So, have a good look at what you're doing, and above all, make sure that you're drinking plenty of water because this is one of the best things for helping with the histamine.

So, let me know how you get on, and I will look forward to seeing you next week on A. Vogel Talks Menopause.

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Written by Sally Wadyka , Sally Wadyka. The sniffling, sneezing, itching and watery eyes that accompany allergies are symptoms all-too-familiar to many people.

In fact, more than 50 million people in the U. suffer from some type of allergies. Alyssa Dweck, Bonafide Chief Medical Officer. When your body senses what it considers a foreign invader like pet dander or pollen , your immune system revs up and overreacts.

In order to fight off the allergen, it creates a type of antibody called immunoglobulin E IgE. Common types of allergies include both indoor allergens, like dust, mold and pet dander, as well outdoor pollens. You can also be allergic to different foods, medications, insect stings or latex.

Some allergies cause a skin reaction—such as hives or eczema. Respiratory allergies are the kind that make you sniffle and sneeze. Asthma is also a type of allergic respiratory disease. When you think about symptoms typically associated with menopause, you probably think of hot flashes , moodiness, vaginal dryness and a loss of sex drive.

But many women are surprised to find their allergies worsening or developing for the first time right around the time they experience menopause. When estrogen binds to receptors on these cells, they release histamines a chemical that causes allergic reactions. In fact, women with asthma often find their symptoms increasing during menopause—and some may start noticing symptoms for the first time during this transition.

Knowing what triggers your allergies—and avoiding those triggers whenever possible­—is the best way to prevent allergy symptoms. For example, you can limit outdoor activities on days with high pollen counts or keep pets out of your bedroom. If your allergy symptoms are increasing or becoming hard to manage with nonprescription remedies, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider.

They can help you find the relief you need to breathe easier—through menopause and beyond. Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published. Item added to your cart.