Say Goodbye to Spring Allergies: 9 Simple Tips to Follow

Spring is just around the corner and it's a time of year we all look forward to. However, for many people, springtime also means allergies.

Allergies can make springtime miserable, causing symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and more. While we can't guarantee you won't have an allergic reaction, there are definitely ways to reduce your risk of experiencing one.

So, let's take a closer look at spring allergies and what you can do to avoid them.

 

What You Need to Know About Spring Allergies

When a person's immune system interprets specific proteins, known as allergens, as pathogens or foreign objects, allergies develop, according to research. There are two stages to developing an allergy and having an allergic reaction. The first stage starts when the body comes into contact with the allergen for the first time and produces antibodies that attach to particular cell types.

Sensitization is the process that prepares the body for an allergic attack the following time it encounters the allergen. The cells then release histamines, which are chemicals that carry on unpleasant symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, and skin rashes.

If you suffer from spring allergies, you may encounter other symptoms including:

• Runny and stuffy nose
• Watery eyes
• Itchy eyes and nose
• Dark under-eye circles

For different people, certain allergies are problematic. Tree and grass pollen, mold spores, and insects are the usual spring allergy triggers.

Depending on their triggers, some people may be affected by allergies in the spring, summer, fall, or even winter. If someone is allergic to several different forms of pollen, they may experience symptoms for the majority of the year, according to research. People with indoor allergies, particularly those allergic to dust mites and pets, also may have symptoms.

 

Breathe Easy: 9 Ways to Relieve Spring Allergies

People with allergies are familiar with how challenging it is to find relief, especially in months with high pollen counts. Here are some practical strategies you can do to lessen allergic reactions:

Always check the pollen count

Monitor pollen counts often, especially since pollen is the most prevalent cause of allergies. Pollen is the most common cause of allergies. So, it is important to limit allergy symptoms by checking pollen counts. It is a measurement of how many pollen grains there are per cubic meter of air. There is a higher likelihood that you will suffer symptoms while you are outdoors when the pollen count is high.

 

Take probiotics

Allergies are caused by immune system imbalance, which leads the body to react to stimuli. Numerous studies show a correlation between lower allergy rates and the presence of good bacteria in the gut. Probiotics can strengthen the immune system, slow the growth of harmful organisms, and increase the production of chemicals that improve the immune system.

 

Detox the body

Toxins in the body often make allergies worse. Allergies can intensify when the liver is overused from metabolizing our stress, drugs, alcohol, and processed foods. The liver is a powerful mediator of inflammation in the body. Avoid fried foods, sweets, alcohol, and other toxins from your diet to detox your body. Instead, try foods and herbs that are good for the liver such as milk thistle, turmeric, artichokes, citric fruits, and almonds. 

Remain indoors during windy and humid days

Pollen counts are at their highest during the night and in the morning. Even people with the highest allergy resistance may experience some symptoms at any time of the day on dry, windy days when the pollen is blown up in the air. Your best hope to prevent any of your seasonal allergies from being triggered on those days is to stay inside.

The best time to go outside would be after raining since the damp weather inhibits the pollen from building up on the ground. If you must spend time outside, wearing sunglasses will help keep pollen out of your eyes.

 

Keep your indoor and outdoor air clean

Your allergy symptoms will lessen if you keep the allergens out of your homes. Using your air conditioner in your home and while in the vehicle will help keep the air flowing and reduce the pollen count that settles in your household.

To reduce the allergens in the air you breathe, be sure to periodically change the air filters in your house, especially during allergy season. Get a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) air purifier to help keep your home air clean. HEPA filtration captures allergens like pollen that other air purifiers might recirculate in your home by forcing the air through a tiny mesh.

The idea is to keep air moving as much as you can to prevent pollen and other springtime allergens from gathering, which will make them more irritating to your eyes, mouth, throat, and skin.

Moreover, if you intend to work out outside, remember to always check the area and be mindful of any visible allergy triggers. Each of us is impacted by the outdoor air we breathe, but those who have asthma may experience additional difficulties.

 

Keep your shoes at the front door

Your shoes’ bottoms can carry pollen into your house. As soon as you enter your home, take off your shoes to avoid bringing pollutants inside. To be extra safe, you can also use a moist cloth to wipe the soles.

Get rid of allergens before you go to sleep.

Showering and rinsing your hair before you sleep is a good idea during allergy season. The skin and hair act as a magnet for airborne allergens during the day. Dust and pollen won't build up on your pillows and sheets if you wash them clean. For every piece of clothing you wear outside, you must follow the same procedure.

Moreover, it is important to have at least an ample amount of sleep. According to Dr. Deepak Chopra, an expert in integrative medicine and the author of The Healing Self, the most essential biorhythm is far too frequently disregarded. The ideal amount of sleep for an adult is between eight and nine hours per night. It should be as calm and dark as possible in your bedroom. “After a busy day, meditate for five minutes before going to bed,” he suggested.

 

Clean your sinuses

To get rid of any remaining pollen and other allergens in your system, rinse your sinuses with saline solution. It may feel strange and unsettling to perform a nasal rinse for the first time. As a result, the allergens that make you sneeze, feel throat discomfort, and experience nasal congestion is directly flushed out of your nose. The majority of pharmacies sell nasal rinsing kits. They will be supplied with a solution to use, a squeeze bottle, or a neti pot. Those who experience spring allergies may find this to be quite helpful. If you do it right before bed, it can also improve the quality of your sleep.   

 

Seek your physician

The next step is to visit your primary care practitioner if over-the-counter drugs, sinus rinses, and air filtration in your house are ineffective. Providers can assist you in identifying the exact allergens that are causing your symptoms if your seasonal allergies are particularly uncomfortable. You can get assistance from your doctor in treating your problems.

Takeaway

While we cannot completely prevent spring allergies, we can take steps to reduce our risk of experiencing them. By limiting our exposure to pollen and taking allergy medication when necessary, we can enjoy the beauty of spring without the inconvenience of pesky allergies.