For millions of people, spring marks the beginning of months of sniffling, sneezing, red itchy eyes, and sinus headaches. The symptoms can appear overnight and mimic a head cold so much that a low grade fever is present, too. All these symptoms can leave you feeling tired, lethargic, and depressed.
Allergy season typically starts in the spring with pollen from plants and trees being released into the air. Summertime allergies are mostly due to grasses and mold, with lower levels of plant pollens. In the fall, plants such as ragweed are in bloom, and mold continues to be prevalent. For some people, this can mean months and months of misery.
The culprit for all this misery is histamines. When your body detects an invader, such as a cold virus, your immune system goes into action. Antibodies are released to surround and isolate the virus. Then histamines are released to help the body remove the invader. It is the histamines that are responsible for the swollen nasal and airway passages because they cause blood vessels to dilate. Eyes can become red, swollen, and itchy. Mucus is produced to keep your sinuses from drying out as your body is trying to flush the captured invaders out.
Unfortunately, it is not clear why some people have allergic reactions to dust, pollen, mold and animal dander while others do not. But there are a number of things that you can do to keep these things from making you miserable.
-
Drink water instead of drinks that contain sugar, milk, and caffeine. Milk causes excess mucus production, which you probably have more than enough of if you have allergies. Sugar causes an inflammatory response in your body slows down your digestive processes, both of which heighten the allergic response. Caffeine dilates blood vessels which can lead to increased sinus pressure and headaches.
-
Eat more fresh, raw fruits and vegetables. Not only do fruits and vegetables contain important nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to nourish your body and keep you healthy, but many contain natural anti-histamines; especially the ones that are high in vitamin C, beta carotene, and Quercetin. These include citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables, onions, garlic, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, apples, and vegetables of color, such as red bell peppers, red cabbage, radishes, yellow summer squash, etc.
-
Increase foods that are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, which have a natural anti-inflammatory effects. These include cold water fish, walnuts, flax seeds, hemp seeds, and grass fed meat.
-
Supplements can help achieve effective levels of vitamin C, beta carotene (which becomes vitamin A in your body), Quercetin, and Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acid. Consider adding these along with your daily diet of fresh fruits and vegetables during peak allergy season.
-
Many herbs contain natural anti-histamines and can be ingested in a variety of ways. Chamomile, fennel, ginger, Echinacea, and stinging nettle can all be made into a tea and enjoyed daily. Wild oregano, parsley, reishi mushrooms, thyme, ginger, and basil can be added to foods you prepare at home.
-
Essential oils can provide fast relief for allergy symptoms and can be often applied topically, or infused and inhaled. Lavender, lemon balm, caraway seed oil, and clove oil are all effective for treating allergies and also safe for use on children.
-
Soak in a mineral salt bath with chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, and/or eucalyptus.
-
Avoid foods that contain high levels of histamines such as eggs, milk, wheat, aged cheeses, shellfish, alcohol, strawberries, chocolate, pineapple, and tomatoes. Many of these foods are already associated with food intolerance or food allergy and considered triggers for migraines.
-
Use allergen blocking HEPA filters in your air conditioning and heating system. Remember to change the filter every 3 months.
-
Use HEPA filters in vacuum cleaners.
-
Clean and dust your house often to eliminate allergens that get inside your home.
-
Wash your bed linens every week in hot water if possible to kill dust mites and eliminate pollens that collect there.
-
After spending time outside, shower and wash clothing to remove pollens.
-
Avoid being outside between 5 and 10 am. This is when many plants release their pollen and air concentrations are the highest.
-
Keep the windows in your house and car closed.
-
In your car, shut off the outside air and use the recirculate air feature. Also, get your cabin air filters changed every year.
-
Visit your chiropractor and tell him or her about your allergies. Specific adjustments can provide fast and lasting relief.
-
Choose acupuncture for treatment of allergies. Acupuncture targets not only specific allergens, but also the metabolic processes that cause the allergic symptoms, and can assist your body in detoxing from the histamines, free radicals, and other toxins; especially mold.
-
Improve your digestion by taking a high quality probiotic every day. This will reduce food allergies, and help your lymph system to remove the toxins from your body; including those created in response to seasonal allergies.
-
Make sure you are getting plenty of fiber by eating raw whole fruits and vegetables. The fiber will keep your waste moving out of your colon, as well as provide important prebiotic fiber for the probiotic (friendly flora) to flourish and improve digestion.
-
Keep an eye on pollen levels in your area by visiting the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology website at http://www.aaaai.org/global/nab-pollen-counts.aspx?p=pollen
By following these recommendations you will greatly reduce or eliminate the effects of seasonal allergies, improve your overall health, and feel fantastic.
References
Dixon, A. (n.d.). Allergies. Retrieved from Ehow: http://www.ehow.com/info_8208056_histamines.html
Pascal, C. (2010). Cybele Pascal. Retrieved from Cybele Pascal The Allergy-FriendlyCook: http://cybelepascal.com/natural-antihistamines-3-foods-that-fight-allergies/
Philpott, V. (2013, August 29). Allergy Information. Retrieved from Livestrong.com: http://www.livestrong.com/article/134112-foods-that-act-as-antihistamine/
Sixwise.com. (2009). Sixwise.com. Retrieved from Sixwise.com: http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/07/05/23/12-tips-to-minimize-allergies-during-peak-allergy-season.htm
Stanley, C. (n.d.). Nutrition. Retrieved from Ehow: http://www.ehow.com/about_5100744_foods-contain-histamines.html
