Every year, over $4 million is spent nationally on over-the-counter allergy medications. Seasonal allergies can cause an itchy throat, nose and eyes, sneezing, rhinitis or stuffed or runny noses, wheezing, watery eyes, and painful sinus congestion, head and ear pressure and skin rashes. The term hay fever is used to describe a combination of these reactions to allergens.
Allergy sufferers know that a slightly raised pollen count in the air or a hint of a chemical odor can cause hay fever symptoms. Seasonal or spring allergies can actually last from March to October and are usually due to pollen from trees, plants, grass and weeds. Other allergens include dust, mold, mildew and pet and animal dander.
Relieve allergy symptoms and even prevent them from occurring with these simple, green methods that are also good to the environment.
Rinse Away Pollen and Dust and Stop Pollen from Entering the Body
Decrease symptoms and the use of allergy medications by cleaning the filter and barrier of the body, the nose and the skin. Wash the hands, face and any exposed skin after being outside. Also rinse out the nostrils three to five times a day. Saline nasal sprays work the same way to rinse out pollen and other allergens.
Also try placing a small amount of Vaseline or olive oil around the inner rim of each nostril. This helps to catch pollen and other allergens before they can enter the body triggering an allergic reaction and is a effective way to reduce symptoms for many allergy sufferers.
Improve Air Quality with Filters and a Humidifier
Dry air can irritate nasal passage and gusty weather can stir up pollen and dust making allergy sufferers experience uncomfortable and painful symptoms. Allergens and a decrease in humidity can swell mucus membranes in the nose, sinuses and throat causing sinus pain and headaches. A tried and true remedy for both allergies and sinus pain in individuals living in dry areas, is using a humidifier.
If a humidifier is not available, simply hang a wet towel over a doorway to increase indoor humidity. As pollen counts increase at night, doctors also suggest keeping windows to bedroom closed. Poor, muggy air quality conditions can also increase allergy and asthma symptoms. An air filter in the bedroom also helps to improve air quality and cleanse the air of allergens. Individuals residing in humid areas should not use a humidifier as this can increase the growth of mold and mildew.
Decrease Allergy Symptoms with Antioxidants and Better Sleep
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps to balance the immune system to decrease seasonal allergy symptoms and colds. It also helps to decrease inflammation in the body caused by free radicals which increase during allergy season. Avoid vitamin C supplements packaged in plastic bottles and get the real deal from pesticide-free oranges. A tall glass of freshly squeezed orange juice makes any breakfast luxurious.
As vitamin E works in tandem with vitamin C in the body, get a healthy dose by eating almonds. Buy in bulk to avoid excess packaging; a handful of almonds is a healthy any-time snack. Add more vegetables and fruits for better overall health and whole food antioxidant sources. Buy local, pesticide-free produce for better quality as it reaches consumers faster and for less impact to the environment.
Better, restful sleep improves the immune system and a dust-free bedroom and sleeping on natural fibers helps to decrease sneezing and sniffling during the night. Organic cotton and wool that have not been exposed to chemicals results in healthier air in the bedroom and decreases the toxins and allergens that irritate and inflame the body. Try a mattress and pillows made of wool which wicks away moisture and decreases the dust mites, mold, mildew and other allergens that conventional mattresses hold.
Avoid Allergens at Home
Pollen in outdoor spring air often gets get in hair that is then deposited on pillow cases. Wash bedding, sheets, and pillow cases regularly to avoid breathing in this second-hand pollen. To avoid chemicals, use unscented laundry detergents that are made to decrease allergens or make laundry detergent at home with borax powder and washing soda.
Clutter increases stress levels, affects mental and emotional health and increases allergens. Reduce clutter and other allergen-gathering fixtures in the house such as drapes, carpets, excess cushions and knick-knacks and heavy, cloth covered furniture.
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Reference:
The College of Family Physicians of Canada: Hayfever and other Allergies - Things you can do to control your symptoms. (Accessed March 10, 2010)
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Noreen Kassem - Noreen Kassem is a hospital doctor based in London, UK. She has extensive experience in clinical research and an undergraduate honors ...
