Tips for Lowering Your Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies can interfere with your daily life in a big way, or they can just be a minor irritant, depending on your own body and your sensitivity to certain pollens. Luckily, controlling your symptoms is not as difficult as you might think.

Seasonal Allergies

At certain times of the year, typically in the spring and the fall, pollens are released in the air and travel through the atmosphere, landing in your nose, your eyes and your throat. For the majority of people, the body is not affected by these microscopic particles. Others, however, have sensitivities to these so-called allergens — their body produces various chemicals and histamines that attack the invaders. This occurs as the allergic person’s immune system recognizes pollen, mold spores or pet dander pollens as foreign invaders or germs. This result in the following symptoms:

• congestion
• coughing
• headaches
• itchy eyes
• runny nose
• sinus trouble
• sneezing.

These symptoms sound like the common cold, but if they persist over 10 days, they may well be the side effects a controllable allergy. Luckily, several medications and naturopathic remedies for seasonal allergies are available.

Preventing Allergies

Seasonal allergies are caused by airborne pollen from various seasonal plants, or spores from mold. The best way to avoid these, of course, is to avoid contact with the allergen. Some tips on avoiding contact include:

• Avoid going outside just after the lawn has been mowed. If you suffer from allergies but must mow the lawn yourself, it might help to wear a mask and protect your eyes. Take a decongestant about an hour before you plan on mowing the lawn to lower the symptoms of allergies.
• If you are in a car during allergy season, keep your windows rolled up and use the air conditioner.
• In the summer, stay inside in the early morning (5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.), when pollen levels are high, change your clothes if you do go outside, and take a quick shower to rid any pollen that might be remaining in your skin.
• Listen to the radio and find out what the day's pollen counts are, and plan your day accordingly.
• Wear sunglasses to reduce pollen in your eyes.

Diagnosing Seasonal Allergies

Skin or blood tests can help determine which allergens are responsible for setting off your allergic reactions. Knowing what triggers your reactions goes a long way in preventing symptoms and controlling your health. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and see what he or she recommends.

Controlling Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies

You can control allergy symptoms by trying several different methods of treatment:

• Nettle is a folk remedy for symptoms of seasonal allergies, and seems to be somewhat effective for mild cases.
• Some alternative medicines can be helpful in controlling your seasonal allergies. Acupressure can help by redirecting the flow of energy, which is thought to be disrupted by allergies in Chinese medicine.
• You can be treated for seasonal allergies by immunotherapy, which is a sort of vaccine against specific reactors.
• You can use a nasal steroid spray daily. You can buy these over-the-counter, but if they are not strong enough (most tend to be decongestants), ask your doctor for a prescription. Prescribed nasal sprays can cause drowsiness, though, so be sure to read the label warnings.

The bottom line is: your seasonal allergy symptoms can be relieved. You can get help and live comfortably with your allergies.

Resources

Marcus, M. B. (n.d.). Seasonal allergies could spark depression, fatigue. Retrieved March 22, 2009, from the USA Today Web site: http://usatoday.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=spt