Can You Use CBD to Treat Your Allergy Problem?

Allergies are common and come with itching, swelling, or sneezing. People look for different ways to deal with these reactions, from medical to natural products. Can one use CBD to treat allergies? This article explores this possibility.

Allergies can be a painful and bothersome experience, especially for people prone to allergic reactions. In the long run, taking medications causes some side effects and drug resistance. Most people tend to look for natural alternatives to help with allergies. One of the natural products people go for is CBD. Its products have been popularized to offer health benefits to several conditions. Some use it because of its calming effects. What causes allergies? What is CBD? Can CBD be used to treat allergies? This article will look into CBD and its benefits for allergy problems.

What Causes Allergies

Jamieson (2017) defined an allergy as an immune response by the body caused by a foreign but harmless object. The bodies of people suffering from this condition make antibodies that identify certain objects as harmful even if they are not. These objects are called allergens and are commonly pollen, dust, bee venom, pet dander, and foods such as peanut or latex. The seriousness of allergies varies in people. Most allergies have no cure, but treatments help ease the symptoms.

Symptoms of Allergies

Pramod (2021) explained that depending on the object involved, allergies could affect one's airways, nasal passages, digestive system, and skin. Some of the symptoms of allergies include

Runny or stuffy nose

Sneezing

Itching of the eyes, nose, or mouth

Swelling of the lips, face, throat, or tongue

Coughing or wheezing

Hives, rash, and itchy skin

Flake or peeling of the skin

Cardona et al. (2020) explained that some allergies are severe and can cause a reaction called anaphylaxis. While for others, symptoms are usually mild and can be relieved using allergy medications. Others look for natural ways to alleviate allergy symptoms. What is CBD?

What is CBD?

Baswan et al. (2020) explained Cannabidiol is a compound found in the cannabis plant. It is one of the known and researched compounds of the plant called cannabinoids. The cannabis plant has been mostly associated with getting high and causing intoxication. The cannabinoid responsible for causing the high effect is tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, and is mostly found in the marijuana plant. CBD is mostly extracted from the hemp plant. Since its discovery, CBD has been studied to help different health conditions. Hemp-derived CBD has been allowed in different counties for medical use.

Benefits of CBD

de Almeida & Devi (2020) commented that CBD had been proven to help with stress and anxiety, insomnia, and sleep thanks to its different properties. It also helps alleviate pain and inflammation. It works in the body by affecting receptors in the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates pain, memory, mood balance, and psychological functions. It is reasonable to say that CBD is a product that, when used, can improve the well-being of a person due to its numerous benefits. What about people dealing with CBD? Can one use CBD to treat allergy problems?

Can CBD Be Used to Treat Allergies?

There is limited use of CBD to treat allergies. But CBD has been used to reduce symptoms related to allergies. One should note that CBD is not a cure for allergies but can be used to ease or eliminate the symptoms. CBD has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Baswan et al. (2020) explained that when CBD interacts with the ECS, it can help alleviate inflammation and pain and help fight allergic reactions. How can one choose the right CBD product to help with allergies?

Choosing the Right CBD Product

CBD Products come in different forms, such as vapes, gummies, bath bombs, and oil. Choosing the right product requires one to look for some important aspects. These are:

Brand Reputation

Researching the company's reputation and reviews before purchasing a CBD product is important. It should be approved to be manufacturing CBD products.

Third-Party Testing

A creditable third-party laboratory should test the company's products. This should show that the products are not contaminated by other compounds, heavy metals, pesticides, and molds.

Ingredients

For one purposing to use CBD for allergies, it is important to check the ingredients in the CBD to ensure that none can cause or worsen the allergic symptoms. This is regardless of how one is going to administer the product.

Type of CBD

CBD is available in 3 types. Full-spectrum CBD oil contains all the naturally occurring compounds in the plant, including THC. Broad-spectrum contains all the other compounds except THC, while isolate extract contains pure CBD. Isolated CBD is a good choice if one wants to avoid the other products.

Dosage and Use of CBD

CBD takes time to have an effect. It also can have different reactions to each individual. Products can have the amount of CBD one can take though there is no specified dosage for allergy symptoms. One should start with small doses, especially if new to CBD. Knowing how one's body reacts to CBD before taking more is good. For inflammation and skin reactions, CBD can be applied to the skin and massaged to take effect. Administering CBD orally, one can put drops under the tongue and hold it there for a few seconds or a minute. Vaping is not a good option for people with allergy reactions like cough and wheezing.

Conclusion

Most people have allergic reactions that may disrupt normal daily functioning—many things that can cause this, from pollen to foods. Prescription medicines are mostly used, but people look for natural methods. One product used is CBD. Found in the cannabis plant, CBD has been useful in helping with conditions like inflammation and pain. People experiencing allergies can use CBD to help reduce these symptoms. Before buying, one needs to consider the CBD's brand, type, and ingredients. New users are advised to start with small doses, and all should seek medical help if they experience adverse reactions.

References

Baswan, S. M., Klosner, A. E., Glynn, K., Rajgopal, A., Malik, K., Yim, S., & Stern, N. (2020). Therapeutic potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) for skin health and disorders. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 13, 927.

Cardona, V., Ansotegui, I. J., Ebisawa, M., El-Gamal, Y., Rivas, M. F., Fineman, S., ... & Worm, M. (2020). World allergy organization anaphylaxis guidance 2020. World allergy organization journal, 13(10), 100472.

de Almeida, D. L., & Devi, L. A. (2020). Diversity of molecular targets and signaling pathways for CBD. Pharmacology research & perspectives, 8(6), e00682.

Jamieson, M. (2017). Allergy and autoimmunity: rethinking the normal and the pathological. Parallax, 23(1), 11-27.

Pramod, S. N. (2021). Immunological Basis for the Development of Allergic Diseases-Prevalence, Diagnosis and Treatment Strategies. In Cell Interaction-Molecular and Immunological Basis for Disease Management. IntechOpen.