Nali is teased by her friends about the Vaseline that she carries with her, wherever she goes they call her Miss Vaseline. She has been battling blocked sinuses for years — and despite spending loads of money, she can't seem to get rid of her allergy problem.

Allergens are the often-overlooked problems that nevertheless bug millions of people every day. Life with an allergy is characterised by frequent visits to the doctor and countless horrible remedies.

An allergy is an abnormal sensitivity or reaction of your immune system to a substance (allergen) that you eat, inhale and touch. People without allergies can normally tolerate these substances.

Common allergies

A real food allergy would involve an immune response to ingested food. Your immune system produces antibodies to protect you against foreign, harmful micro-organisms and other microscopic particles, but in the case of food allergy, this system mistakenly identifies a food as harmful and produces antibodies against it.

Special cells called mast cells release histamine and other chemicals resulting in an allergic reaction like sneezing, itchy, congestion — even anaphylactic shock and death. Any food can cause this, although the most common foods are peanuts/nuts, soy, shellfish, wheat and dairy products.

The symptoms of an allergy include redness of eyes, itchy skin, an irritated nose, headaches and vomiting.

The best thing is to ask your doctor to test you on foods that you are allergic to so that you can avoid it in your diet. We focus on what cause allergies and spoke to Sally-Ann Creed, a Clinical Nutritionist, about any possible natural remedies out there.

Sinusitis (blocked sinuses):

There are two types of sinuses the acute (sudden) and the chronic sinus (it is long- term and it is the most common). The chronic sinus lasts longer than eight weeks, or four times a year.

When you have acute sinuses, the symptoms include pain or pressure around the inner corner of the eyes, headaches surrounding the eyes, pain is worse when coughing or lying on your back and better when your head is up straight. Fever is a very common symptom. Pain around the cheekbone or around teeth, red, swollen chicks and severe headaches are some of the symptoms.

For chronic sinuses, the symptoms are pain (worse in the morning or when wearing glasses), sore throat, bad breath, discomfort below the eye, chronic toothache and persistent headaches in the forehead.

Bacteria and fungi are some of the cause of sinus blockage. Swimming, smoking, alcohol, pets, stress and allergies can increase you risks of developing blocked sinuses.

Creed recommends a high-dose of vitamin C when dealing with blocked sinuses. Quercetin and high dose of pharmaceutical-grade fish oil (around 3-5g a day) are extremely effective and removing dairy and sugar also produce results.

Asthma:

Asthma is a common allergy and affects people of all ages. Asthma symptoms include tightness of the chest, difficulty breathing, persistent coughing and wheezing and can be caused by environment factors, allergens, pollutants and the cold.

Asthma is all about sticky mucous and inflamed tubes. Distilled water is highly recommended. That's the only water that Creed recommends.

Asthma can be treated by using the same things as for sinuses except for Quercetin and double your dose on MSM to 6-10g a day. Creed stresses the importance of a strong probiotic (Maxi Biotic 20) three times a day and to make sure that if Candida is present you clear with grapefruit seed extract. Usually these are prevalent in asthmatics. Again loads of other things would be helpful-different things for different people but diet is number one.

Eczema:

Eczema is a skin disorder resulting in a dry itchy skin, scaly red rash.

In small children it occurs on the face and neck and to older children it affects arms and legs.

There are many causes of eczema and they are unpredictable. It can be genetic, emotional disturbances, environment factors and your diet. Eggs, soya protein, citrus fruit and milk can provoke eczema.

Long nails are bad for anyone with eczema because they carry germs, which spread easily through scratching. One other thing is to avoid harsh soaps and detergents.

According to the Allergy Society of South Africa, it is best to apply moisturiser frequently and regularly it alleviates the dryness of the skin. Luke warm water for bathing, pat your skin dry and apply moisturiser immediately.

There is evidence that breastfeeding for the first six months and controlled diet of the nursing mother and delayed introduction of solid foods may delay or even prevent eczema.

According to Creed, you can definitely treat your eczema by using the following; Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil not flaxseed oil and it must be purified pharmaceutical grade (like the Omega-3 solution) so that you know it is mercury free.

A high dose of vitamin C preferably the non-acid Ester C kind and you must take 2- 8g a day this will set you straight. There is MSM which is extremely valuable you can take 2-4g a day. Creed says Quercetin with B5 is fabulous when dealing with eczema you need to take 500g twice a day — it acts like a natural antihistamine.

Says Creed: "I believe all the above are the best but you must concentrate on your diet and remove the mucous- forming foods from the diet."

Hay fever (allergic rhinitis):

Hay fever is an allergic reaction. It is your body's reaction to foreign material in the air that you breathe.

Symptoms of hay fever include irritation of the nose, itchy eyes, nasal congestion, a clear runny nose and excess tear production in the eyes. It may occasionally include loss of taste, loss of the sense of smell is common and the nose can start bleeding if it is severe.

It can be caused by repeated inhalation of allergic substances, cold, airborne material such as pollens and molds (fungus).

Hay fever can lead to sinuses and asthma.

Chamomile plant can help for soothing itchy eyes. You can treat hay fever by gargling with warm salt water, 1-2 tablespoons of table salt, to soothe a mildly sore throat.

Cutting out caffeine, wheat products, refined products and eating more calcium rich foods is best when dealing with hay fever.

According to Creed, hay fever responds well to Quercetin, onions, garlic, Omega-3 Fish Oil, vitamin C and a good diet. One can expect fabulous results with these supplements.

Most important, however, is keeping your house clean using all natural products. Cleanliness of beds and carpets play an important role in treating allergies.

Sally-Ann Creed is an internationally renowned clinical nutritionist and an author of the best seller 'Let Food Be Your Medicine'. You can visit her website at www.sallyanncreed.co.za