With allergy season in full swing it’s important to stay healthy. You not only want to survive, but thrive throughout these challenging months.
Seasonal allergies affect millions of people. Symptoms can range from itchy watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, skin rashes, itchy throat, wheezing, congestion and headaches.
Theses symptoms are your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. They are a reaction to foreign substances, such as pollen, dust or mold. These reactions cause your body to produce antibodies known as immunoglobulin E or IgE.
You may remember a time when allergy season was not as severe as it is today. And that is actually true. Here are a few reasons why…
An increase in processed foods
The use of GMOs, preservatives, the hybridization of grains, additives, pesticides and antibiotics in foods we consume has affected our beneficial flora in our guts and immune systems. This weakens our immune systems thus creating a recipe for food allergies, dysbiosis, chemical sensitivities, and autoimmune disorders. To top it off, it makes us much more susceptible to developing environmental allergies, as well.
Climate change
Rising temperatures and pollution make for a horrible allergy season. Because of this, the season starts earlier and ends later and is also a lot more intense. Increased pollen = increased allergies.
Antibiotics, antibacterials and poor diet destroy beneficial flora in your microbiome.
The amount of time it takes to restore bacteria becomes slower and slower, causing dysbiosis and a plethora of other immune issues.
What to do
You can lessen the severity or even eliminate allergies altogether with a few steps.
Address food allergies first and consider a cleanse or elimination diet. You may not realize but hidden food allergies and sensitivities make you much more responsive to other allergens. I have had many patients who have eliminated certain foods from their diets only to find out that they no longer have seasonal allergies because they no longer eat gluten, dairy, soy or whatever the offending food may have been.
Limit your exposure
If you exercise outdoors, try doing so in late afternoon or evening, as pollen is at its lowest at these times. Maybe even keep that workout indoors, if you really have to.
Remove shoes and clothes and shower immediately when coming into the house from playing outside or gardening. This prevents the spread of allergens from traveling around your entire home.
For indoor allergies, use air conditioning, especially on really bad days. This will help keep the mold count down in your indoor space.
Better indoor air quality means less allergy attacks. Keep your home or office clean by using a dehumidifier and/or a HEPA filter air purifier.
Avoid rugs as they trap allergens and all sorts of things in the fibers. If you can’t avoid them, at the very least, vacuum and keep them very clean.
Supplementing with herbs and vitamins will help tremendously.
Vitamin C, Quercetin, Nettles, Butterbur, Bromelain, Homeopathic remedies, Probiotics, Omega 3 fatty acids, and Sublingual Immunotherapy are all extremely helpful in the fight against allergies.
These nutrients not only help to combat the symptoms but also aid in reducing inflammation and boosting the immune system. Unlike antihistamines, they do not cause drowsiness and fatigue.
Of course, as with any supplement or therapy, consult your healthcare practitioner before beginning any treatment.
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