It’s April! The sun is shining, the weather is getting warmer, and yet your allergies are suffering! You may think your only option is to stay indoors or pop some over-the-counter allergy medication, but this is not true. There are tons of things you can do at home to help with this issue. First, it’s important to understand why so many people have seasonal allergies. Well, simply put, it’s the pollen! Many people are allergic to pollen. Their reactions are stronger in the spring when the amount of pollen in the air is high. Mold is also a common seasonal allergen. People who suffer from seasonal allergies may experience a variety of symptoms including congestion, stuffy nose and coughing, itchy eyes, ears, nose, and throat, swollen eyelids, and skin irritation.
So, what are some ways you can fix this? First, and maybe the most important thing you can do, is to try and prevent them in the first place. Prevention is key for seasonal allergy relief. There are many things you can do to help stop allergies before they happen. One simple tip is to avoid the outdoors between 5:00 am and 10:00 am. Save outside activities for late afternoon or after heavy rain, when pollen counts are lower. While this might not always be possible, if you can, it’s a powerful tool. Another tip is that when you do go outside, change your clothes when you get home to avoid tracking allergens around your living space. Also, make sure to keep the windows in your home and car closed to lower exposure to pollen.
After prevention, it becomes important to find sources of relief. This is usually where allergy medication comes in, but here we are going to be discussing more natural remedies. An easy and effective way to clear out mucus is with a nasal rinse. It also can whisk away bacteria and reduce postnasal drip. Buy a rinse kit or make one using a Neti pot or a nasal bulb. Mix 3 teaspoons of iodide-free salt with one teaspoon of baking soda. Store this in an airtight container. To use, put one teaspoon of the mixture into eight ounces of distilled or boiled then cooled water. Lean over a sink and gently flush one nostril at a time. Another option is to explore herbal remedies. Butterbur, for example,is an herb, which comes from a European shrub and has shown potential for relieving seasonal allergy symptoms, acting similarly to antihistamines. Quercetin is a nutrient found in onions, apples, and black tea that research has shown to block the release of histamines. You can also try to take supplements such as DHA., probiotics, and vitamin D, as these have all been shown to help boost your immune system.
With these tips in your toolbelt, you can hopefully get some relief. Spring is a beautiful time of year and one that should most definitely be enjoyed. In summary, prevent when you can, but rely on natural remedies when needed. Happy Spring!