3 Steps To A Healthy Allergy Season
Worldwide, allergic rhinitis affects between 10% and 30 % of the population – World Allergy Organization
With the number of allergy sufferers increasing all over the world every year, you have to wonder if there’s more you can do to alleviate your symptoms.
The answer is a resounding YES! There are a number of preventative measures you can take to fight allergies and there’s no time like the present to get started. The secret lies in a three-step approach to staying on top of your allergies.
3 Steps To A Healthy Allergy Season
1. Be proactive 2. Keep it natural 3. Take a holistic approach
Step 1: Be Proactive
Being proactive requires putting certain measures into place weeks before allergy season starts. So, for instance, if you know that the beginning of spring fall is the time your allergies flare up again, start taking some naturally sourced medication prior to this time. It’s a good idea also to use a pillbox to remind you to take your medication on time.
By staying one step ahead of your allergies, you can greatly reduce allergies and the intensity of your symptoms.
Step 2: Keep It Natural
Besides naturally sourced allergy relief medication, there are a few other measures you can take that are natural and drug free:
Neti Pot
Pollen Mask
Reduce Stress
Neti Pot – designed for nasal irrigation and nasal cleansing, a neti pot requires a little water and a pinch of salt – that’s it. It’s another proactive measure you can start using weeks in advance to prevent allergens from taking hold.
Pollen Mask – there are many different kinds of allergy and dust masks on the market. Some people like the ones made from silk, as they are soft to wear and easy to breathe through. The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) recommends wearing “a NIOSH-rated 95 filter mask when mowing the lawn or doing other chores outdoors.” Better yet, get someone else to mow the lawn for you!
Wearing a mask is always a good idea when you’re dusting, sweeping and vacuuming your home. Taking your medication before these kinds of events is also recommended by the ACAAI.
Reduce Stress – this seems to be the answer to everything and something that most everyone wishes they could master. Stress produces its own form of immune response in the body and if not controlled can compromise your health. Stress hormones cause inflammation, which can weaken your immune system over time and leave you vulnerable to allergy attacks. You can relieve stress with massage, meditation and yoga.
So you see, natural allergy relief is more than just medication. It comes in all shapes and sizes. By adding some or all of these preventative measures to your existing allergy relief plan, you’ll be sure to strengthen your chances of reducing your allergy symptoms.
Step 3: Take A Holistic Approach
If you look past your nose at the bigger picture, and consider how your living environment impacts your allergy symptoms, you’ll see there is a lot your can do around the home to reduce allergens from causing a nuisance.
Allergens can lurk just about anywhere. They hide out in kitchens and bathrooms in the form of mold and mildew. They attach themselves to your hair and clothes, and accompany you back home, where they’re free to invade your space and your nose! They also like to hide under the bed, in the bed, behind the bed – you name it, the bedroom can be a pretty buggy place if you don’t keep it clean and dust free.
How can you keep allergens under control in your home?
Here are a few pointers:
Stick to a weekly cleaning and laundry schedule.
Make sure humidity is kept under control (no more than 50%)
Keep all air ducts, filters and air conditioners free from dust.
Designate a room in your home for outerwear – coats, jackets, boots, etc. to cut down on tracked-in pollen and other airborne allergens.
Avoid carpeting.
Use hypoallergenic bedding.
Just a few, simple things you can do around the house to reduce allergy triggers for you and your family. By considering the bigger picture and all the places where allergens may lurk, you’ll be better equipped to deal with your allergy symptoms head on at home.
Above all, make sure you’re consistent and stick to this three-step plan to ensure the best results. Natural allergy relief is something that’s easy to implement, but it does take a bit of discipline to adhere to the plan. Once you get into the habit of predicting your allergy symptoms, medicating proactively, and keeping your home as free from allergens as you can, you’ll notice a significant difference.
It makes sense to take control of your allergies in this way and it’s three steps in the right direction for your health and quality of life.
