Ways to cope with symptoms of seasonal allergies
To many, spring could be the most painful time of the year for a specific reason: seasonal allergies. In many regions across the United States, seasonal allergies peak from February to May, when trees, grasses and weeds release pollen into the air. Symptoms can vary, but the most common ones include congestion, watery eyes, sneezing, itchy throat, coughing and fatigue. In 2021, approximately 81 million Americans were diagnosed with hay fever (allergic rhinitis). Worldwide, around 10% to 30% of people are affected. If you are one of these people, here are some of the easy ways you could potentially relieve some of the symptoms:
Drink a lot of water Drinking water is important for one’s general health, but it can be especially helpful for those experiencing seasonal allergies. When dehydrated, the human body naturally produces more histamines, chemical compounds that trigger allergic symptoms. Therefore, drinking water can reverse the effects of histamine and reduce symptoms of allergies.
Keep the indoors clean Since the pollen comes from plants outside, it is crucial to keep your indoors unaffected by pollen to minimize your symptoms. Surprisingly, 60% of the dust in most households originates from outside, which means that the items you bring outside, such as your clothes, bags and even your hair will likely carry pollen around. That said, it is important to regularly clean those items and the house. You should also try to keep the windows closed because the winds can bring pollen into your house. You can also try to keep the air conditioner running for air circulation.
Eat food that includes honey Though not scientifically proven, honey is believed to relieve some allergy symptoms. The idea is similar to allergy shots in that local honey, which normally contains pollen, exposes the person to pollen and thus makes their body more resistant to it over time. In addition, honey also has the temporary effect of soothing sore throat by decreasing inflammation and irritation. Some ways to incorporate honey into your diet are through honey cough drops, warm tea and toast.
Manage your lifestyle to ensure overall wellness General health factors such as one’s stress levels and the gut microbiome affect allergies as well. Healthy lifestyles have a wide range of habits, common ones including sleeping well, balancing diets, exercising and taking probiotics or vitamin supplements. These habits can also boost one’s immune system, making the body more resistant to harmful pathogens.
Despite various clinical treatments for allergies, you can incorporate the healthy habits described above for an easy start. When symptoms continue or get worse, however, you should visit your doctor to check on your status and receive more effective medications. There is currently no cure for seasonal allergies, so it is important to always keep these tips in mind. By doing so, you will be able to enjoy flowers blooming and the sun staying longer with the minimum stress that also comes with nature.