Now that it’s spring, there are a lot of different flowers and trees in bloom, and there’s pollen floating through the air. If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from seasonal allergies, you may experience sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, and other symptoms that can make you feel miserable this time of year. The good news is there are a number of steps you can take to fight against seasonal allergies. Here are some tips to nip allergies in the bud so you can feel your best year-round.
1. Minimize Your Exposure to Allergens
While it’s not possible to completely avoid going outdoors in spring, you can try to avoid being outside during the worst days for allergens. Typically, pollen counts are highest on dry, windy days. If you’re allergic to pollen, it’s best to avoid going outside when the wind is carrying these allergens through the air. The best time to go outside during allergy season is after a good rain because the rain helps clear pollen from the air. If you have seasonal allergies and need to spend time outdoors, remove the clothes that you wore outside as soon as you get home and take a shower to remove pollen from your hair and skin.
2. Keep Your Indoor Air Clean
When you think of seasonal allergies, you most likely think about blooming plants and pollen as the culprits. However, not all allergens are found outside. You can have allergy flare-ups if your indoor air isn’t clean. Outdoor allergens can make their way into your home, and indoor allergens like dust and mold can be found inside. Though there’s no way to completely eliminate allergens from your home, you should take some steps to keep your indoor air as clean as possible. Use a dehumidifier to keep your air dry, which can reduce the risk of mold. Make sure you use high-quality air filters and change them often to filter out as many allergens from the air as possible. Clean your sheets and drapes frequently to avoid dust buildup and dust mites.
3. Rinse Your Sinuses
If you struggle with seasonal allergies, it may be helpful to rinse your sinuses with a saline solution. This can remove allergens from your nasal passages before they have a chance to cause severe symptoms. A sinus rinse also relieves allergy symptoms by flushing out excess mucus and keeping your nasal passages hydrated. You can purchase a nasal irrigation kit like a neti pot or nasal bulb at the pharmacy. If you need to make your own saline solution, mix a cup of warm, sterile water with half a teaspoon of non-iodized salt and a pinch of baking soda.
4. Stay Hydrated
A great way to combat seasonal allergies is by staying hydrated. The reason you suffer from allergies is because your body creates a histamine reaction to guard itself from pollutants, including allergens. Drinking plenty of water can help prevent too much histamine production and alleviate allergy symptoms. Maintaining proper hydration allows your body to react better to allergens and is an easy, affordable way to regulate your seasonal allergies. When you do develop allergy symptoms, drinking lots of fluids can also help thin mucus to relieve nasal congestion, sinus pressure, post-nasal drip, and other unpleasant symptoms.
5. Take Supplements
Vitamins and supplements can help with seasonal allergies. Vitamin C helps to protect your cells from damage, support your body’s ability to fight infections, and reduce the severity of allergic reactions. Vitamin D has been shown to help rid the body of allergy symptoms, too. Aller-EZ is a supplement with a comprehensive formula that includes vitamin C, quercetin, bromelain, nettle, dihydroquercetin, and other ingredients to provide multifaceted support for immune imbalances and to regulate histamine response. Studies have shown that taking Pure 95 Curcumin can lower histamine release and reduce nasal symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and runny nose. Taking a probiotic may also help with seasonal allergies, as your gut has a close connection to your immune health.
In addition to vitamins and supplements, over-the-counter medications such as oral antihistamines and nasal sprays can help relieve allergy symptoms. You may find that medications such as Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra, Flonase, or Nasacort can offer relief.
More Advice for Treating Seasonal Allergies
If you have any questions about taking supplements or medications for seasonal allergies or you would like more advice on how to deal with your allergies, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Magnolia Pharmacy. Our knowledgeable and experienced pharmacy team will be happy to answer your questions and provide the help you need to get you back to feeling your best!
