When you think of spring, you may think about beautiful flower buds and blooming trees, but unfortunately, another part of the population may fear the incoming storm of seasonal allergies. These can include sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion, a runny nose, and many annoying symptoms. Seasonal allergies such as hay fever can make your life very difficult. But fear not you won’t have to settle for plastic flowers and artificial plants. These tips will help you survive the season and make your life more pleasant.

Tip 1: Basic Preventative measures

Reduce your exposure

Keeping your home pollen-free is the first step in success. Keep your windows closed, especially when it’s windy in the morning. Try to maximize your time indoors when pollen counts are high. If you go out, remove your shoes and clothes when coming back indoors. Put your clothes in the wash and keep the indoors as clean as possible by dusting regularly and using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. End your day by showering thoroughly to eliminate any pollen collected in your hair or body throughout the day.

Exercise

A simple 30-minute treadmill run has proven effective for people who suffer from congestion and sneezing. These exercises are more effective than intense workouts as they help open up the nasal passages, which helps ease congestion.

Turn on that AC

Air conditioning units have air filters that filter allergens. Changing your air filters every 3 months is recommended to maximize their efficiency. Even if you’re feeling chilly, you should turn on the fan setting to prevent allergens from circulating in your room.

Tip 2: Home Remedies

Alter your Diet

Focus on what you’re eating and the triggers you have that may cause your symptoms to worsen. Sometimes, you may notice that eating certain produce gives you a sore throat or an itchy mouth. This is because the produce you consume may contain the same proteins found in the pollen. With fruits or vegetables that trigger a reaction, you must avoid eating them raw and cook them as the heat breaks down the proteins. On top of this, you can also add fruit to your diet to help naturally fight off your allergies. Foods like apples, strawberries, turmeric, pumpkin seeds, and others will help boost your immunity and contain beneficial properties that will help reduce your symptoms.

Oral Antihistamines

Consuming natural products only goes so far before you need something stronger. Oral antihistamines help block histamine the c, the chemical the body produces during an allergic reaction. These medications, such as Zyrtec or Benadryl, generally relieve within an hour and can reach their peak effectiveness in a day or two.

Probiotics

These friendly bacteria help prevent allergies by regulating the immune system. Probiotics can be found in foods like yogurt. Many flavored probiotic drinks, such as Yakult, are sold, which help boost immunity. These drinks are readily available at grocery stores.

Tip 3: Alternate Treatments

Antihistamine sprays

Over-the-counter antihistamines work well; however, there are prescription antihistamine nasal sprays that have much greater advantages than antihistamines. These sprays deliver the medication quickly in areas where the symptoms occur and work efficiently within minutes.

Allergy shots

If you’re desperate for long-term relief, you can try allergy shots. With these, you can get custom-made formula shots to match your allergies and needs. The results of these shots can last decades, but the downside to this treatment is the amount of time it takes. You would start with a weekly shot lasting for up to a year. Then, monthly shots for 3 to 5 years, which is a little daunting. Also, you would have to remain at the doctor’s office for an additional thirty minutes to make sure you don’t have a severe anaphylactic reaction.

Depending on the severity, allergies can make your life miserable, so you should take the necessary precautions to live a more comfortable life.

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