Taking The Edge Off Springtime Allergies

Even though our weather is fluctuating, springtime is definitely here. Proof is in the sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, grogginess and lethargy. Along with the beautifully blooming flowers comes the height of allergy season – but it doesn’t have to be. There are a number of steps you can take to take the edge off of springtime allergies:

1. Take Note of the Pollen Count

Most local news stations will give a pollen count during their weather segment, or go online. Use pollen counts as a guide and adjust your outdoor activities accordingly. Plants and grasses release pollen in the morning, so adjust your workout time accordingly. With such odd weather lately, expecting a rain shower at anytime is also quite helpful when the pollen gets washed out of the air. One other option would be a face mask. Silly looking but quite helpful in keeping those airborne allergens out of your nasal passages.

2. What You Eat Makes A Difference

Think clean, immunity boosting food during allergy season. There are many allergy fighting foods available:

• Greens are always a great go to. Onions and garlic contain quercetin which helps fight off the release of histamines. Quercetin can also be found in pill form.

• The worst offenders are processed foods, gluten, wheat, dairy, sugar and genetically modified foods. Eliminating these for 2 weeks will help strengthen your immune system.

• If you have issues with ragweed, then stay away from chamomile(favorite tea), milk thistle, wormwood, goldenseal, echinacea and dandelion, which can make allergy symptoms worse.

• A probiotic is also necessary to help boost immunity at this time along with some extra vitamin C.

3. Undress

As soon as you walk in the door, undress! We carry in a ton of pollen and allergens from outside, they cling to our bodies and clothes. Leave your shoes by the door, clothes into the laundry bin and change into clean clothing. The less allergens you track into the house and allow less pollen to spread all over your furniture, bedding, carpeting and so on. Taking a shower at the end of the day, rinsing hair well is helpful.

4. Clear Your Nostrils

Whether you use an OTC saline spray or neti pot, cleansing the nasal passages daily is a must to clear allergens. When stuffy and trying to sleep, use nasal strips to breathe easier and rinse itchy eyes with water to loosen any allergens and flush them out.

5. Close Your Windows

An obvious is to keep windows and doors closed during pollen season. If it gets a little warm, run your A/C for awhile but make sure your filter is changed as needed. Some of us like to dry our clothes, towels, bedding etc outside. Resist bringing in a days worth of pollen in the house and exacerbate allergies.

6. Ocean

Last but not least, head to the seashore, my favorite place, where pollen is blown away and breathing in the fresh ocean air is healing.