Take Your Meds Before You Sneeze
Start taking allergy medications a few weeks before the season. Don’t wait until you have symptoms. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about over-the-counter and prescription options.
Use medicines that worked for you in the past. Pay attention to the weather, especially when winter weather turns warm and pollens and molds release into the air.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. âPollen and Mold Counts.â
American Academy of Allergies Asthma & Immunology: “Reading the Charts.”
Lisa Hall, author, Taking Charge of Your Own Health, Harvest House, 2009.
Murray Grossan, MD, ear, nose and throat specialist, Cedars Sinai Medical Building Los Angeles author, Free Yourself from Sinus and Allergy Problems — Permanently, Hydro Med, 2010.
Michael Blaiss, past president, American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology practicing allergist, Memphis, TN.
How To Work Out When You Have Allergies
To start with, dont forget to warm-up. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology indicates warm-ups help reduce allergic symptoms. Spend approximately ten minutes stretching and boosting cardio for full benefit.
Consider using decongestant, antihistamine, saline spray, or neti pot prior to your workout. For those with asthma, the use of an inhaler might be necessary. This will aid in clearing the nose to help with breathing during exercise. Nose breathing warms and filters air and prevents a dry, sore throat. It also acts as a purifier to remove allergens, irritants, and pollutants from entering your lungs and bronchial passageways
If you are planning to exercise outdoors, take note of your surroundings. For someone allergic to weeds and grass pollens, stay away from open fields. If you suffer from molds, avoid walks around bodies of water like lakes. Try wearing a mask to filter pollen and pollution for those outdoor walks. Sunglasses protect eyes from airborne allergens as well as ultraviolet rays. Check the daily pollen and mold counts for your area . Dont schedule outdoor activities around the peak times that allergens circulate.
Focus on exercises like Yoga and Pilates that promote proper breathing. Perform workouts that strengthen your heart and lungs. Resistance training and stop-and-go forms of exercise are preferred, especially if you suffer from asthma. Be careful, though, because extreme an cardio routine can aggravate asthma.
Will Exercise Help My Nasal Allergy
Exercise is important to good health. At the same time, people who have allergies often have questions like these about exercising.
Is it safe for people who have nasal allergies to exercise? Exercise is important for everyone, including people who have nasal allergies. While a regular exercise routine won’t cure your nasal allergies, it can help you feel your best. Try focusing on exercises that strengthen your heart and lungs.
How much can I exercise? Always check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program. As long as you don’t have other health problems that would prohibit it, you can usually exercise as much as you like. Don’t exercise when you’re sick or not feeling well. Don’t push yourself beyond your capabilities.
How can I exercise when my nose is stuffed up? Before exercising, you may need to take a nasal allergy medication such as an antihistamine, decongestant, nasal cromolyn, saline nasal spray, or nasal steroid spray. It’s important that your nose and sinuses be as clear as possible when you exercise. As you breathe through your nose, the air is warmed and filtered. This keeps the air at the right temperature and humidity and also filters out excess allergens, irritants, and pollutants. When your nose is stuffed up, you have to breathe through your mouth, which can allow irritants into your lungs and bronchial tubes. Stay well hydrated while exercising, especially when taking allergy medication or if you’re mouth breathing.
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Causes Of Rhinitis With Exercise
Exercise can cause a runny nose if you have allergic rhinitis or nonallergic rhinitis. Scientists understand allergic rhinitis more than the nonallergic kind.
With allergic rhinitis, you are exposed to more allergens because you breathe in a larger amount of air. As you exercise, you breathe deeper and faster, allowing the allergens to enter your body.
Between 27% and 74% of athletes are known to have some type of rhinitis.
Nonallergic causes of exercise-induced rhinitis are still a bit of a mystery to scientists. There are several factors that make adults get a runny nose, and they’re not related to allergies. The main nonallergic causes of exercise-induced rhinitis are the following:
- Irritants like chemical fumes or strong odors may be in the environment or around your workplace. These substances can irritate the nasal passages although they do not cause you to develop allergies. Decreasing your exposure to the irritants can help resolve your chronic rhinitis.
- Emotional-induced rhinitis occurs because of stress and your emotions. A 2014 study revealed that people with higher stress levels experienced increased runny noses, coughs, and congestion than other people who participated in the study.
- Vasomotor rhinitis is the catch-all category of nonallergic rhinitis and is the diagnosis used when the doctor rules out all other forms of rhinitis. It is more common in the elderly than the young.
Help For Seasonal Allergies In Mississippi
At the Mississippi Asthma & Allergy Clinic, we believe that no one should be kept from their favorite activities by seasonal allergies. Our team of experienced allergists and asthma doctors work with you to diagnose and treat your seasonal allergies so you can get back to your life more quickly. Come visit one of our 5 convenient locations across Mississippi – Schedule an appointment today!
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Face Masks And Sunglasses Can Offer Some Allergy Relief
Sunglasses can serve as a barrier to allergens if itchy, watery eyes are a problem for you, Hoyte says.
Many people have also found that the face masks used to protect against COVID-19 can reduce allergen exposure as well. Its not something I would have recommended prior to the pandemic, says Hoyte.
While she doesnt necessarily endorse the use of face masks during vigorous exercise, she says the right kind of face covering may be helpful in lowering exposure to allergens during outdoors activities like walking or gardening.
Treatment For Nonallergic Rhinitis
The early stages of any treatment for nonallergic rhinitis should include staying away from the triggers that cause it. Continued exercise, without exposure to allergens or irritants, may actually reduce the times you get a runny nose. This is due to the bodys natural reaction to adrenaline.
Your doctor may prescribe medicine if you continue to experience rhinitis even though you avoid triggers and make lifestyle changes.
Medications usually come from three groups.
- Anticholinergics like ipratropium bromide are a medication you rub on the skin. They cause very few side effects.
- Nasal steroid sprays like Flonase or Nasacort are common nasal medications that may help treat nasal congestion and rhinorrhea .
- Intranasal antihistamines, such as Azelastine, may effectively treat allergy-related rhinitis as well as nonallergic rhinitis.
If the turbinates become enlarged, a surgical procedure called a turbinate reduction can help reduce symptoms.
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Study Design And Settings
The presented data is a subsection from the WESPAA study , a longitudinal, randomized, controlled intervention study, which investigated the effects of winter exercise in combination with speleotherapy and winter exercise on patients suffering from allergic rhinitis and/or allergic asthma. The allocation ratio for the control group and the two intervention groups was set at equal sample size. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Salzburg and was conducted in the holiday region of Hohe Tauern National Park between March and December 2013. To ensure a clear and simple data presentation, the study results were divided into two sections: specific effects of winter exercise and combined effects of winter exercise and speleotherapy. This work is focused on the specific effects of winter exercise solely and presents only data from the exercise and control group. Further publications will focus on the combined effects of winter exercise and speleotherapy.
Sneezing And Wheezing Solutions: Surprising Ways To Relieve Spring Allergies
Exercise isnt a cure for your spring allergies, but physical activity can help to soothe some of your symptoms.
Exercise is recommended for proper function of the immune system. It also increases circulation and can help your body clear things as well, says Torkos.
Blood vessels in the nose can become inflamed and cause congestion during an allergic reaction, so the deep breathing and faster blood flow that result from an intense work out can ease some of that blockage, at least in the short-term, say experts. And staying fit can strengthen the immune system which might also help to calm a hyperactive immune system.
Of course, if you are allergic to pollen, then going for a run outside could aggravate your allergy symptoms rather than subdue them. Working out indoors during the spring months may make more sense, or, if you cant resist the warm weather, then avoid areas with densely packed trees and flowering plants that can trigger severe symptoms. Timing your outdoor workouts can help too: pollen levels are usually highest in the morning between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m.
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Fighting Allergies And Asthma With Exercise
Winter is waning, but while were recovering from the wrath of colds and flu, the hay fever season is fast approaching. Its common for people to blame sniffles and sneezes on allergies when in fact it may really be a cold it usually isnt until later, when your entire family is coughing and congested, that it becomes apparent that youve all gotten sick. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, here are some easy differentiators: Allergies are not accompanied by a fever, aches, and overall body pain. A cough and sore throat are occasionally found with allergies, but almost always appear with a cold.
Working Out Releases Endorphins
One way that the exercising relieves allergies is by releasing endorphins. Endorphins are brain chemicals that eliminate pain and discomfort. Endorphins also take the credit for causing the athletes high that runners sometimes experience after theyve run for a long time. Exercising for about 20 minutes will cause the release of such endorphins into the system helping you feel a lot better and get your mind off of your stuffy nose.
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Benefits Of Exercising With Asthma
Even if you have asthma, you shouldnt avoid exercise altogether.
Regular physical activity is essential for managing health, improving energy, and reducing the risk of chronic disease. If you already have a chronic condition, regular exercise can help you manage it.
This includes asthma. With a doctors guidance, regular exercise could help asthma by:
- promoting blood flow to your lungs and heart
- improving endurance and stamina
How Pollen Affects The Body
For some people, breathing in pollen particles can trigger an allergic reaction characterised by sneezing and swelling of the face and airways. Hay fever is often associated with the UKs warmer months, and this is because 95 per cent of people with hay fever are allergic to grass pollen which is released from May to mid-September. Numerous different types of pollen are constantly being released into the atmosphere by various plants and trees. To effectively avoid the pollen causing your allergy you need to narrow down the specific type which your body is averse to.
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Is It Safe To Exercise If I Have Seasonal Allergies
As long as youre feeling up to it, exercising is perfectly safe for your seasonal allergies.
In fact, your workout can even help your seasonal allergies!
Being sedentary leads to a sluggish flow of blood because your heart is pumping at your resting heart rate all the time. When you exercise, your blood flow speeds up.
This increase in blood flow means allergens are moved through your bloodstream more quickly and efficiently, decreasing inflammation and irritation.
Just be careful not to overexert yourself if youve got a runny nose, sore throat, or sinus pressure. Even some light exercise during your worst attacks is beneficial.
Sidestep Allergens When Exercising Outdoors
How and where you exercise outdoors can also have a big impact on seasonal allergy symptoms.
For instance, if you are sensitive to grass pollen, then maybe its not the best idea to be playing soccer.
If you have seasonal allergies, you should avoid exercising in places with high concentrations of allergens and irritants, such as fields, areas with many trees, and locations near busy roads or factories.
Also, breathe through your nose, not your mouth, and work out with a partner if you are at risk for a severe allergic response.
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Literally Allergic To Exercise
More vigorous exercises are usually blamed for exercise-induced anaphylaxis. However, it can happen during any physical activity, such as raking leaves or tearing it up on the dance floor.
Eating particular foods before exercising may bring on an allergic reaction. Peanuts, shellfish, tomatoes, corn, and wheat are associated with exercise-induced anaphylaxis, although any food can be a trigger. This is referred to as food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis.
Certain medications like aspirin and anti-inflammatories can trigger the reaction as well as can extreme temperatures, humidity, and hormonal changes.
Symptoms can come on suddenly. They may be mild at first but can accelerate rapidly. Common symptoms include:
- hives
- diarrhea
- coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing
This can turn into a life-threatening situation requiring immediate medical attention. Severe cases may progress to shock, loss of consciousness, and respiratory or cardiac arrest.
October 2019exercise Can Trigger Allergic Reactions
Yes, its a fact: Allergic reactions can be triggered by exercise alone. Hiking, working out at the gym or gardening can induce symptoms such as a rash and itchy skin.
Forty years ago, three American scientists reported symptoms triggered by physical exertion for the first time. The symptoms were observed in a 31-year-old long-distance runner. If he ate crustaceans such as shrimp before his workout, a skin rash and severe itching would occur. The symptoms became worse with every attack. Finally, he experienced such severe swelling of the mucous membranes that he was barely able to breath and required emergency treatment. The strange thing was that if the athlete refrained from exercising after eating shellfish, he tolerated the meal without any problems. Pulmonologist Robert Maulitz from the University Hospital in Denver, Colorado, and his colleagues called the phenomenon exercise-induced anaphylaxis .1
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Take Allergy Medication As Recommended
Be sure to take over-the-counter or prescription allergy medication as recommended by your doctor. During allergy season, you may need to take allergy medicine every day to ease or prevent allergy symptoms.
If your allergies are severe, it’s often best to start taking allergy medications a few weeks before the height of the season so they have time to work before allergen levels increase.
Exercise Control Of Your Allergies
Just when youve escaped the grip of cold and flu, you stumble into hay-fever season. Although you cant exercise away your allergies, a regular workout helps manage symptoms
Allergies can make you miserable. Beyond primary symptoms that cause an itchy, sneezey, juicy face, they also can make you overall fatigued. Good news! Studies have proven regular exercise can help contain allergies. Physical activity results in a strong blood flow. This allows allergens to be moved quickly through the body and eliminated via the kidneys and skin.
A lack of exercise results in a sluggish blood flow. Stagnant allergens gather in a fixed position, which begins to destroy the tissues around them. Constant movement of the allergens through the blood stream prevents these delicate tissues from becoming inflamed.
Recommended Exercises
Exercise doesnt have to be intense or challenging. Simple movements get blood pumping and rid you of pesky allergens. You shouldnt overexert yourself, especially during your peak allergy season. The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology emphasizes overdoing physical activity could exacerbate symptoms rather than help.
Dont forget to warm-up. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology indicates warm-ups help reduce allergic symptoms. Spend approximately ten minutes stretching and boosting cardio for full benefit.
Fitness Outdoors
Allergies or Cold?
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Can Regular Exercise Help My Seasonal Allergies
May 21, 2021
Many people wonder if it is safe to exercise when seasonal allergies are in full swing. Absolutely, assuming you can stop sneezing long enough to do so.
At Fitness Together, our clients have also asked: Can exercise help my seasonal allergies?
While not a cure, regular exercise has been shown to counteract the wheezing and sneezing effects of seasonal allergies.
Put simply, exercise contributes to a healthier immune system. This helps to keep things from kicking into overdrive when allergens trigger your bodys defense mechanisms. Exercise also helps seasonal allergy symptoms in the following ways:
- It increases circulation, which moves allergens through your system more rapidly and reduces inflammation in blood vessels.
- It promotes deeper breathing, which helps to strengthen your lungs.
If you are a seasonal allergy sufferer, but also enjoy a good, strong workout thats great! Just keep the following tips in mind:
Fitness Together Ellicott City is ready to help you put some spring back into your step. And a rigorous, custom workout courtesy of our certified trainers may even help to curb some of your spring and seasonal allergy symptoms. We offer personal training in-studio or via virtual live training sessions. Contact us today to schedule a complimentary and comprehensive Fit Evaluation.
More Tips For Balancing Seasonal Allergies And Outdoor Workouts
In addition to taking your allergy medications as directed, there are other steps you can take to manage allergy symptoms while exercising outside. Try these ideas:
The bottom line on exercising outdoors with seasonal allergies: Take the right precautions and youll get in a great workout with a lot less sniffling.
Additional reporting by Barbara Kean.
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