While lush green trees, blooming flower beds, and flourishing fields of grass are sure nice to look at, they can cause some serious problems for those who experience seasonal allergies. Spring allergies can be a real pain, especially if you live somewhere that’s surrounded by flora that releases pollen into the air.
The most common symptoms of seasonal allergies are an itchy throat, eye irritation, a runny or stuffy nose, hives, coughing, and puffy eyes.
To help keep you feeling healthy this spring, we’ve compiled some of the best tips and tricks to alleviate the seasonal allergy symptoms holding you back.
● Flush out your sinuses: A squeeze bottle or neti pot can clear out your nasal passage while removing any of the pollen or irritants that have made their way in. Be sure to follow the instructions on the Neti pot during use.
● Take lots of showers: Not only will the showers ease any congestion, but they will also wash any of the allergens that have decided to call your body “home.” Pollen can land on your hair and skin throughout the day, causing symptoms later on.
● Wash your clothes: Yes, it’s important to save water by cutting down the number of loads of laundry you do each week, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of your health. Keeping your clothes extra clean by washing them on the hot setting will remove the pollen that’s worked its way into the fabric.
● Buy some probiotics: Some studies have suggested that taking probiotics on a daily basis, especially during peak seasonal allergy times, can ease symptoms.
● Incorporate spirulina into your diet: Whether you want to start using a greens powder or prefer to take spirulina in capsule format, this superfood has been linked to improving allergic rhinitis.
● Invest in an air dehumidifier: If you’re suffering horribly from seasonal allergies, a high-quality air dehumidifier can really be a game-changer. These miracle machines work to remove any of the dampness or mildew in the air, which can irritate your sinuses and cause congestion. Alternatively, an air conditioner can help improve air circulation in your home so that the pollen doesn’t build up in one area.
● Try to de-stress: It’s common knowledge that stress can exacerbate and worsen conditions, and it’s certainly true when it comes to seasonal allergies. Practice mindfulness and find ways to remove any unnecessary stress from your life, and you might feel an improvement in your allergy symptoms.
● Stay indoors when needed: It’s never fun to have to miss out on a good time, but if you have plans that are taking place outdoors on a windy, dry day, you’ll regret going afterward. Even though you might get FOMO (fear of missing out), you have to advocate for your own body and health, which might mean staying inside on days when pollen is getting blown around the entire city.
● Gargle with salt water: This old wives' tale can be pretty effective when it comes to soothing itchy or sore throats. Mix some salt with warm water and then gargle away. The salt protects your oral tissues and throat from infections and can even remove inflammation, providing you with some relief.
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Ahh choo! no more: these tips will stop seasonal allergies from keeping you down was originally published in Think Dirty on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.