While the increase in eosinophils (also called eosinophilia) may cause some concern, it is usually a natural response to inflammatory processes occurring in the body. Eosinophils are a category of white blood cells involved in the defense against infections and which, by virtue of this function, cause a series of reactions, including inflammation. In most cases, eosinophilia is reduced once the main ailment is treated. That said, a healthy lifestyle and a few remedies that can fight inflammation can also lower an unusually high eosinophil count.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Making Lifestyle Changes
Step 1. Reduce Stress
Stress and anxiety can promote the onset of diseases associated with eosinophilia. So, by finding time to relax, you can rebalance the level of these leukocytes. Review your daily routine to identify the causes of tension. If you can, eliminate or reduce exposure to the most stressful factors.
Relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation, can promote a relaxed state when you feel tense or downcast
Step 2. Avoid exposing yourself to substances you are intolerant to
Allergies are the most common cause of eosinophilia. The body could increase the production of white blood cells in reaction to certain allergens. Thus, by treating allergies and avoiding triggers, you will be able to manage the increase in eosinophils in the blood.
- Hay fever can make the problem worse. Treat colds with over-the-counter antihistamines, such as Benadryl or Clariyin, to decrease eosinophil counts.
- For example, if you are allergic to dog hair, avoid contact with these animals whenever possible. If you go to a friend's house who has a dog, ask him if he can take him to another room.
Step 3. Keep the house clean
Dust mites can cause irritation in some people and cause reactions that increase the number of eosinophils, especially if you are allergic. To avoid this, regularly clean the spaces you live in. Dust at least once a week to prevent mites from building up in the corners of the house.
Pollen can have a similar effect in certain people. To prevent it from entering the house, keep the doors and windows closed during the seasons when the concentration in the air is high
Step 4. Eat a healthy diet that is low in acidic foods
Heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux can aggravate eosinophilia. Therefore, to prevent this ailment, it is essential to eat in a healthy and balanced way. Opt for low-fat foods, such as lean meats, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid acidic foods, such as fried foods, tomatoes, alcohol, chocolate, mint, garlic, onions, and coffee.
Being overweight can also increase the chances of suffering from gastroesophageal reflux and promote an increase in the number of eosinophils. If you are over your ideal weight, you should lose weight to reduce this risk
Method 2 of 3: Try Home Remedies
Step 1. Increase your daily vitamin D intake
People with low vitamin D levels are more prone to high eosinophil counts. There are two ways to increase the intake of this vitamin: exposure to the sun for 5 minutes (for people with fair skin) to 30 minutes (for people with darker skin) at least twice a week. Alternatively, you can take a vitamin D3 supplement.
- To encourage the production of vitamin D through exposure to the sun, you need to go outside. This vitamin is stimulated by UVB rays, which do not penetrate through glass, so sitting by a window is not enough.
- Clouds hinder the action of the rays, so spend a little more time outdoors on dull days.
Step 2. Consume ginger to relieve inflammation
Ginger is known for its analgesic properties. Although it is still under study, there is a possibility that it favors the decrease of eosinophils. Take a ginger supplement every day or get its benefits by using the root to make herbal tea.
You can buy herbal tea at most grocery stores. Put a sachet in a cup and pour hot water into it. Let it rest for a few minutes, then sip it
Step 3. Use turmeric to relieve inflammatory processes in combination with medications
Turmeric (or curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric) can reduce eosinophilia in certain situations. Try taking 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder by mouth a day. You can also add it to hot milk, herbal tea or water.
Method 3 of 3: Treating the Major Disorder
Step 1. See your doctor for an examination
Many diseases are at the origin of eosinophilia, including blood diseases, allergies, digestive disorders, parasites and fungal infections. Your doctor will order blood tests and dermatological tests to identify the etiology. In rare cases, he or she may also prescribe a coproculture, CT scan, or bone marrow exam.
- Primary eosinophilia is a condition characterized by the proliferation of eosinophils associated with a blood disorder, such as leukemia.
- Secondary eosinophilia is caused by other non-haematological diseases, such as asthma, gastroesophageal reflux, or eczema.
- Hypereosinophilia (or idiopathic eosinophilia) indicates a high production of eosinophils in the absence of known causes.
- If this condition affects a certain part of the body, a particular type of eosinophilia may be diagnosed. For example, eosinophilic esophagitis affects the esophagus, while eosinophilic asthma involves the lungs.
Step 2. Consult an allergist to undergo allergy tests
Since allergies often increase eosinophil counts, your doctor may recommend an allergy visit. The specialist will perform a patch test, where he places small amounts of common allergens on the skin to observe the reactions. He might also take a blood sample and analyze it for diagnostic purposes.
If he suspects a food allergy, he may prescribe certain restrictions on eating certain dishes for 3-4 weeks. He will then instruct you to repeat the blood tests to check the eosinophil count
Step 3. Take a corticosteroid
Corticosteroids are currently the only drugs capable of directly lowering the increase in the number of eosinophils in the blood, relieving the resulting inflammatory processes. Depending on the etiological factors, your doctor may prescribe you a pill or inhaler. Prednisone is the most commonly used corticosteroid in these cases.
- Always follow your doctor's instructions for taking medications.
- If he doesn't know the cause of eosinophilia well, he could start on a low dose. Then, he will monitor your condition to see if they improve.
- Don't take corticosteroids if you have a parasitic or fungal infection. Steroid drugs can make it worse.
Step 4. Fight against parasitic infections
To eliminate any parasites and bring the number of eosinophils back to normal, you will be prescribed a suitable medicine. This will not be a corticosteroid, as this class of drugs may make some types of parasites worse.
Antiparasitic therapies vary according to the infectious agent. In many cases, the doctor prescribes a pill to be taken daily
Step 5. Take gastroesophageal reflux medication if you have eosinophilic esophagitis
Eosinophilia can be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease or another digestive disorder. Your doctor will prescribe a proton pump inhibitor, such as Lucen, Nexium, or Antral, to treat the malaise.
Step 6. Undergo respiratory rehabilitation treatment if you have eosinophilic asthma
Your doctor may prescribe you a corticosteroid inhaler or biologic drugs called monoclonal antibodies, or suggest a new therapeutic solution, called "bronchial thermoplasty." During this procedure, a probe is inserted into the mouth or nose through which thermal energy is delivered into the airways, facilitating breathing.
You will be sedated to undergo this treatment. However, it will take you a few hours to fully recover
Step 7. Take imatinib if you have hypereosinophilia
Hypereosinophilia is associated with blood cancers, including eosinophilic leukemia. To reduce this risk, it is possible to administer imatinib, a drug used in idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome which, at the same time, slows the growth of cancer cells. Your doctor is likely to monitor you to see if any tumors are forming.
Step 8. Consider clinical trial for eosinophilia
Not much is known about the factors that influence eosinophil levels. Clinical trials often need people with eosinophilia to study environmental causes and find new treatments. As these are untested treatments, there are associated risks. That said, you may find an effective therapy.
Find out about the subject by visiting the website of the Ministry of Health
Advice
- Eosinophilia is usually detected when you are being tested for a certain health problem. Currently the symptoms are not well defined because each type of this condition can cause a rather wide range of symptoms.
- If you have been diagnosed with hypereosinophilia, your doctor will recommend regular heart and blood tests.
