Many people think of spring as their favorite season, however these fans of spring most likely don’t have spring allergies. Also called hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis, 35 million Americans per year are affected by spring allergies. Spring is often high season for allergies while the pollen count is highest.
Allergy symptoms often include a stuffy or runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, congestion, skin itchiness and in more serious reactions, difficulty breathing. Seasonal allergies can often induce asthma attacks as a reaction to built up pollen and fluid in the lungs. Regardless of whether allergy symptoms are mild or severe, they can be miserable to live with and in some cases, life threatening.
What Causes Allergies?
Most symptoms are triggered by allergens, which are substances that cause an allergic reaction, usually pollens and sometimes molds as well. Pollens are microscopic egg-shaped male cells of flowering plants which are part of the plant fertilization process. Most pollens are from trees such as oak, birch, elm, western red cedar, ash, hickory, poplar, maple, sycamore, walnut and cypress. Pollens from plants that have bright colored flowers, such as roses, usually are not the cause of allergy symptoms. Grasses and low-growing weeds also have allergy causing pollens. In the late summer and fall, hay fever is caused by ragweed, which is another form of pollen.
Some allergy sufferers who seem to have spring allergies caused by pollen actually have non-allergic rhinitis. Their symptoms are similar to hay fever but are caused by weather changes in temperature and humidity. Antihistamines, a common allergy treatment, are ineffective for people with non-allergic rhinitis.
While there are many over the counter and prescription medications to manage allergy symptoms, there are just as many natural and preventative strategies. They can effectively and safely help to avoid spring allergies, as well as potential side effects from medications. A partial list of potential side effects can include drowsiness, blurred vision, dizziness, and heart palpitations. As with most conditions, an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. If spring allergies affect you or your family, consider trying some preventative and natural remedies to prevent spring allergies this year.
Allergy Prevention
It’s important to check the pollen count every day so you can take preventative action. If the pollen count is high, it’s probably not the best day to do yard work. Plan your activities around the pollen count whenever possible. Pollen counts are highest between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., so try to remain indoors as much as possible during that time of morning and keep windows closed to keep pollen from blowing into your house.
More Seasonal Allergy Prevention Tips
- Don’t hang dry your clothing outside, and change your sheets as often as possible.
- Shower and change your clothes when you return home after being outside.
- Pollen can rub off onto your clothing and cling to furniture and carpeting, so throw your clothing into the washing machine as soon as possible.
- Run your air conditioner and air filters to absorb the pollen from the air in your home.
- Don’t use window or attic fans, which can bring more pollen into the home.
- If possible, remove carpeting, drapes any other furnishings which can entrap pollen and mold. If you have carpeting, vacuum daily with a vacuum that uses a HEPA filter.
- Install and run air purifiers in every room to keep the air filtered from allergens.
- Use a dehumidifier in humid rooms and when the humidity climbs to avoid the growth of molds and fungi allergens.
- Try a neti pot. Neti Pots, which resemble small tea pots, can be filled with a warm salt-water solution and poured up a nostril nasal to cleanse the nasal cavity.
- Take natural supplements to strengthen your immunity. MSM has anti-allergic properties which can be more effective than antihistamines. Also look for natural anti-allergy supplements which are a combination of herbs, enzymes, and nutrients and are designed to fight acute allergy attacks.
- Take vitamin C. Vitamin C has been shown to lower levels of histamine in the blood and can help prevent the symptoms of seasonal allergies. Eat fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C such as kiwifruit, broccoli, bell peppers and grapefruit rather than taking vitamin C capsules.
- Take a high quality probiotic to help boost your immunity. According to one Clinical & Experimental Allergy 2008 study, researchers found probiotics to be effective for some allergy sufferers.
- Avoid foods such as dairy products, sugar, wheat, and white rice which can exacerbate all types of allergy symptoms.
- Eat more anti-inflammatory foods which include fruits, vegetables, oily fish, some nuts and seeds, herbs and spices.
If you’re too stuffed up to smell the spring flowers, or if you’re too miserable in the mornings to hear the spring birds and breezes, try some alternative and gentler approaches to alleviating your spring allergies. Many studies have shown that these techniques are safe and effective approaches to managing symptoms.
