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How To Stop Seasonal Allergies

Natural Remedies To Relieve Seasonal Allergies

How to reduce seasonal allergies

This might surprise you, but certain foods contain histamine! Eating certain foods could be adding to your seasonal allergy symptoms by increasing the already high levels of histamine in your bloodstream. Luckily, there are also foods that can help make your seasonal allergy symptoms better, including apples, green tea leaves, parsley, and turmeric.

Give Your Sinuses A Bath

For a medication-free option, consider nasal irrigation. The practice traces back thousands of years to the Ayurvedic medical traditions of India and its effectiveness is backed by research. To try it yourself, use a neti pot, bulb syringe or squeeze bottle and pour a saline solution in one nostril, letting it drain out the other.

It seems like a simple concept, but it helps flush out mucus, pollen and other allergens in your nasal cavity, said Dr. Laura Chong, an allergist at the Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic in Oklahoma City.

The result is that you feel less congested and you may need less allergy medication, Dr. Chong said.

Tips To Help Manage Your Allergy Symptoms

1. Give your sinuses a bath.Nasal irrigation is another option whose effectiveness is backed by research. Try it yourself: Use a neti pot or bulb syringe and pour a saline solution in one nostril, letting it drain out the other. You will feel less congested and may need less medication.

2. Plan time outdoors wisely.Pollen counts tend to be at their highest between early morning and midmorning, as well as on hot, dry, windy days. Stay indoors during those times and go out later in the evening, to reduce the amount of pollen you inhale. You can also try wearing a face mask when you go outside.

3. Reduce pollen at home.Avoid bringing pollen back inside after youve been outdoors by taking your shoes off, changing your clothes and showering. In order to sleep better, you can try zipping up your mattress and pillows in hypoallergenic cases and wash your bedding in hot soapy water.

4. Find medication that works for you.It may take some trial and error to find the right allergy medication regimen for you talk to your doctor to create a plan of action. Nasal steroid sprays are usually recommended as a first line of treatment antihistamines and decongestants can offer some immediate relief. For a longer-term solution, consider allergy immunotherapy.

You should also talk to your doctor about prescription options if you have already tried several over-the-counter allergy medicines. An allergy specialist can help you formulate a plan for your specific allergies ahead of time.

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How To Recognize Seasonal Allergies

Sometimes, people mistake seasonal allergies for the common cold, as they share several symptoms. However, allergies typically last through a season, with symptoms lingering a month or more. Colds, on the other hand, last seven to 10 days. Whats more, the symptoms associated with a cold tend to be consistent, while allergy symptoms sometimes come and go, only appearing when youre outside or exposed to allergens.

Common seasonal allergy symptoms include:

  • Dark circles under the eyes
  • Nasal or sinus congestion

You may experience all of these symptoms or just a few. Seasonal allergy symptoms may also range from mild to severe, depending on your bodys response.

What Is An Allergy

5 Natural Ways To Treat Seasonal Allergies

An allergy occurs when your body overreacts to an environmental triggerlike pollen or pet danderthat is harmless to most people. The substance creating the reaction is called an allergen. Just like with other illnesses or conditions, your body goes through a lot internally when it encounters an allergen. The first time you are exposed, your immune system will produce an antibody that binds to the allergen, whether its a pollen or dust molecule. Your cells recognize this allergen as an invader, and white blood cells come to your rescue to defend your body.

This triggers other cells to rush in, releasing chemicals called histamines, and when everyone meets up to attack the allergen, you begin to notice symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, or itchy eyes. Unfortunately, once you develop an allergy to a specific trigger, youll experience the same type of response every time you are exposed, year after year.

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Whats The Best Outdoor Exercise For Seasonal Allergies

Knowing your allergy triggers can help you live your greatness by choosing the right types of allergy-friendly exercises during allergy season. For example, if your triggers are largely airborne , you might enjoy exploring some static, low-speed activities where there will be less allergens flying towards your face. If grass triggers allergy flare-ups during pollen season, you can opt for grass-free exercises like swimming or kayaking instead. With a bit of creativity, there are plenty of activities to enjoy outdoors that wont leave you feeling limited or left out.

Seasonal allergies can also trigger asthma-like symptoms, such as shortness of breath, which are caused by a tightening of the airways as you inhale allergens. Also known as allergic asthma,* this condition occurs in approximately 60% of Americans with asthma.2 In cases like this, it may be ideal to stick to medium- to low-impact activities that focus on light, gradual movements, like brisk walking, hiking, recreational biking, pilates, or yoga. Vigorous outdoor exercises that cause heavy breathing can potentially worsen symptoms by simply causing you to push yourself too hard. If you suspect you may have asthma or asthma-like symptoms related to your allergies, consult with your doctor or an allergist for an official diagnosis.

Risks And Side Effects

While most of the supplements and tips described above can provide natural allergy relief safely, there are some precautions to keep in mind.

When allergies are mild or moderate, they are usually not very threatening and go away with time. However, severe allergic reactions can be dangerous and require medical attention.

Anaphylaxis is the term for a severe allergic reaction, which can happen due to contact with food allergens, drugs/medications or insect stings. Symptoms usually affect the lungs, blood vessels or heart and can include:

  • trouble breathing

If you or your child experience these symptoms, head to your doctor or the emergency room right away to prevent complications.

What can you do for severe allergies? Your doctor may need to prescribe allergy shots or prescription asthma medications, such as bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids.

Discuss these options with your health care provider, and consider trying the natural allergy relief remedies described above in addition to using medications.

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Local Raw Honey From Your Area

Make sure its unfiltered so it still contains the pollen. Ideally, the honey would come from as close to your location as possible. You can often find raw honey at your local farmers market. Raw honey boosts the immune system and helps respiratory issues. 1 teaspoon a day is all thats needed. Its a delicious medicine and if you add it to your allergy tea, you can do double duty

Fish And Omegas Help Too

5 household fixes to help relieve seasonal allergies | Problem Solved

During the seasonal allergy time in your area, you truly want to make sure that your dog is getting enough omega oil. This type of oil is a natural inflammation fighter and enhances positive immune responses. Add cold-water, fatty ocean fish like salmon twice a week to your dogs meals. And supplement with quality sourced omega-3 and omega-6 pills for dogs.

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Plan Time Outdoors Wisely

Many popular weather apps and websites provide allergy forecasts or pollen counts. On the National Allergy Bureau website there is a list of more than 80 stations throughout the United States that provide more detailed daily pollen updates based on different species of plants. You can select the station closest to you and receive notifications for the particular pollen allergy you have.

Pollen counts tend to be at their highest between early morning and midmorning, as well as on hot, dry, windy days, Dr. Chong said. If you can exercise indoors during those times or run errands later in the evening, you will reduce the amount of pollen you inhale, she added.

If you are prone to allergy symptoms and have to go out in the morning or do yardwork, wear a high-quality N95 mask the kind you may already have for protection against the coronavirus. This will help filter out pollen.

Common Allergy Triggers And Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

So, what is the best treatment for allergies? Well, it depends on whats causing your symptoms in the first place. There are three main triggers for seasonal allergies, and they can all affect people in different ways:

  • Pollen: Perhaps the most commonly discussed allergen during springtime, pollen is found in abundance as flowers and trees bloom back to life. Various plants release microscopic particles that create a reaction when coming into contact with someones eyes or nose. Common symptoms of a pollen allergy include a runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, and sneezing or nasal congestion. Sometimes only one of these will manifest or you might experience all of these concerns.
  • Dust mites: Nearly invisible to the naked eye, dust mites affect quite a few people and are the kind of allergy that can be hard to tackle since they live inside of your home. These little creatures are mostly found in peoples bedrooms and can trigger many of the same symptoms that pollen can.
  • Mold: Are your allergy symptoms seemingly present all of the time, even when its not spring? You might be experiencing an allergic reaction to mold, which is another very common cause for those itchy eyes and your runny nose. Mold spores travel through the air both inside and outside.Symptoms are similar to those from pollen or dust mites.

Allergy symptoms are similar to common illnesses like a cold or COVID-19. If youre experiencing them for the first time, check with a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

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Allegra Is Here To Help

Life shouldnt be spent waiting for your allergy symptoms to pass. Allegra® offers long-lasting , effective, non-drowsy relief for allergy symptoms. Live your greatness and stay on top of symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, and nasal congestion or sinus pressure.*

With a comprehensive range of products, youre sure to find the one that works best for your indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms. No matter which product you choose, you can feel good knowing Allegra® is the #1 allergist recommended brand for non-drowsy allergy relief.

How To Treat Seasonal Allergies

7 Natural Remedies for Seasonal Allergy Relief

The first step in allergy treatment is talking to your healthcare provider. They may recommend a prescription or over-the-counter medication like antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays, or eye drops. While these medications do help reduce symptoms, the relief is temporary and short-term. They do nothing to address the underlying cause of your allergy symptoms and, instead, only focus on the symptoms.

If you have persistent allergies or any issues with your skin reactions, get an allergy test to determine what your allergy triggers are. Our at-home allergy test kit gets sent right to your door and only involves a simple finger poke.

Once you get results, your allergy doctor may suggest additional treatment like immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is the only clinically-proven treatment to reduce seasonal allergy symptoms for lifelong relief. By exposing your body to trace amounts of allergens, immunotherapy trains your immune system to stop reacting. Over time, your body becomes acclimated to certain triggers and you get long-lasting allergy relief.

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Air Filter / Air Purifier

Having a high quality air purifier in your home removes allergens and molds that cause seasonal allergy symptoms and will significantly lessen your total toxic load. Since most of us spend a significant amount of time inside, a high quality air purifier is a must.

THIS air purifier is specifically designed for those with asthma and allergy issues. Its a hospital grade purifier with technology used in the military. These air purifiers are so effective that they were chosen by the Red Cross and FEMA to address the air quality concerns in post 9/11 New York. Its the one I have in my house and the one I highly recommend.

Yes, its a bit pricey, but in my experience, it doesnt compare whatsoever to other air purifiers. Its truly been worth every penny. . Here is the link if interested.

Could It Be A Cold

When youre unsure whether youve contacted an allergic trigger, its natural to wonder, “Why do I keep sneezing? Is it allergies or a cold?” Take our allergies versus cold quiz to find out which one you may have. One clue is the duration of the symptoms. A cold typically lasts less than 14 days, but allergy symptoms can persist for as long as youre exposed to the trigger, which could be a short amount of time or could stretch into weeks or months.5

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What Causes Seasonal Allergies

Airborne agents , such as pollen, grass, mold, cedar, ragweed, or even some chemicals, are breathed in. Once they enter our bodies, these allergens start to wreak havoc. The immune system mistakenly sees the pollen as a danger and releases antibodies that attack the allergens and release a chemical called histamine into the nose, eyes, and lungs. Histamine is intended to attack harmful agents and remove them from the body. One of the main things that histamine does is cause inflammation.

The good news is there are many natural remedies you can try to control your allergy symptoms:

Signs Your Child May Have Seasonal Allergies

Stop Seasonal Allergies in Their Tracks!

Symptoms of seasonal allergies include a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes and nose, sore throat, cough, and dark circles under the eyes.

Seasonal allergies can be more than just a mild annoyance. Some of the consequences of allergies in children include:

  • Fatigue and poor concentration in school due to lack of sleep
  • An increase in ear and sinus infections
  • Asthma exacerbations
  • Behavioral issues from discomfort and lack of sleep

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What Can I Drink To Relieve Seasonal Allergies

According to researchers, green tea leaves might be the best thing you could drink to relieve seasonal allergies. A major compound in green tea, epigallocatechin-3-gallate , targets histamine-producing cells, greatly altering their behaviour to help you feel better. How does it do this? EGCG can prevent an enzyme that makes histamine, called histidine decarboxylase, according to researchers.

Check If You Have Hay Fever

Symptoms of hay fever include:

  • sneezing and coughing
  • a runny or blocked nose
  • itchy, red or watery eyes
  • itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
  • pain around your temples and forehead

If you have asthma, you might also:

  • have a tight feeling in your chest
  • be short of breath
  • wheeze and cough

Hay fever will last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually goes away after 1 to 2 weeks.

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How To Prepare For Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal changes are often exciting with the promise of better weather unless youre one of the millions of people who have seasonal allergies. Seasonal allergy symptoms can range from runny noses and sneezing to congestion and itchy skin. The medical term for seasonal allergies, such as hayfever, is allergic rhinitis, which occurs when persons immune system reacts to an outdoor allergen, in this case, pollen. Read on for some tips on how to prevent pollen allergies, reduce allergy symptoms and treat an allergic rash!

What To Eat To Relieve Seasonal Allergies

How to Treat Allergies Naturally This Spring

From apples to parsley, watercress to turmeric there are many foods to eat to relieve seasonal allergies.

Apple: An apple a day may keep that runny nose away, suggests results from a randomized, double-blind study in which apple peel nutrients were effective at alleviating persistent allergic rhinitis. The nutrient thats helpful is quercetin, which is also found in onions, broccoli, berries, dill, and green tea leaves.

Parsley: Dont leave that green garnish on your plate – parsley might be one of the best things to eat to relieve seasonal allergies. Parsley prevents histamine from being released from mast cells in your body. Less histamine being released by your mast cells means your closer to that point of histamine balance where your allergy symptoms lessen, or better yet, get better. Sprinkle parsley on your roasted vegetables, or make a sauce with it, like chimichurri or, pesto. Parsley works for breakfast: it is delicious in a frittata, or a smoothie with green apple, green tea, and pear.

Watercress: Watercress may not be the most commonly consumed leafy green, but when its fresh in the spring, its worth adding to your menu, according to researchers: in a study, watercress inhibited 60% of all histamines released from mast cells.

Turmeric: contains curcumin, a well-known anti-inflammatory, which is able to help reduce mast cell activation.

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Seasonal Allergy Prevention And Relief Tea

HERE is the link to my favorite tea that contains some of the best herbs and plants that prevent and relieve allergy symptoms. Drink at least 3 cups a day a few weeks before and during allergy season. Many people, including myself, have been very successful preventing allergies with this tea. I fill up a big stainless steel bottle and sip on it throughout the day. Add in 1-3 teaspoons of honey for added sweetness and also medicinal, immune boosting benefits!

What Is The Treatment For Pollen Allergy

In addition to trying to cut down your contact with pollen, there are certain over-the-counter and prescription medicines that may help reduce pollen allergy symptoms.

  • Nasal corticosteroid sprays reduce inflammation in the nose and block allergic reactions. They are the most effective medicine type for allergic rhinitis because they can reduce all symptoms, including nasal congestion. Nasal corticosteroids have few side effects.
  • Antihistamines come in pill, liquid, or nasal spray form. They can relieve sneezing and itching in the nose and eyes. They also reduce a runny nose and, to a lesser extent, nasal stuffiness. Look for a long-acting, non-drowsy antihistamine.
  • are available as pills, liquids, nasal sprays, or drops. They help shrink the lining of the nasal passages and relieve nasal stuffiness. They generally are only used for a short time. Check with your doctor before using decongestants if you have high blood pressure, glaucoma, thyroid disease, or trouble urinating. They may cause issues if you have any of these conditions and they may interact with other prescription medicines.
  • Leukotriene receptor antagonists block the action of important chemical messengers that are involved in allergic reactions.
  • Cromolyn sodium is a nasal spray that blocks the release of chemicals that cause allergy symptoms, including histamine and leukotrienes. This medicine has few side effects, but you must take it four times a day.

Types of Allergies

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