Get relief and save money without medications to relieve seasonal allergies!
Spring has started early and with an early bloom comes a long year for seasonal allergy sufferers. I feel very fortunate that I don't suffer from seasonal allergies, but know so many people who do. If you are one of the millions suffering from springtime allergies already in March, wouldn't you like to enjoy the summer allergy-free? A simple solution exists that can help you rid the medications and enjoy the outdoors.Medication, shmedication!
There's no doubt that our country is over-medicated, not to mention broke from paying for expensive medications. I personally do everything possible to avoid having to take a single synthetic drug, prescription or otherwise. On top of the overuse, terrible side effects with allergy medications make them a gamble to take. The side effects of a popular prescription allergy drug includes: fatigue, coughing, sneezing, headache, nausea, sleeplessness, sore throat, dizziness and even severe allergic reactions! Wait, isn't the medication supposed to prevent allergies and all of these symptoms? What if you could take something safe and natural with no side effects that you don't need a prescription for and costs well under $20?Raw apple cider vinegar
With an already seemingly endless list of conditions that benefit from apple cider vinegar (ACV), allergies can be placed right in the mix. Allergies arise due to a histamine response from over-exposure to pollens, dander, dust and so on. Although these may be harmless, the human body's immune response views them as foreign invaders that must be destroyed. People with allergies suffer from a heightened immune reaction to a non-threatening stimulus. ACV works by blocking the histamine reaction and reducing inflammation. Raw, organic ACV can be found in most supermarkets and every health food store. Take a shot of 1:1 mix of ACV and water first thing in the morning and up to 3 times a day. Drinking ACV before going outside can prevent an allergic reaction before it starts. Be careful not to burn the throat by drinking it too fast...dilute dilute!LOCAL raw honey
Besides being delicious, honey can reduce allergies or get rid of them all together. Everyone who has allergies generally knows what it is that sets them off. In the case of pollen allergies, one can likely identify which flower or tree gives them the worst symptoms. Most of the time these are plants that pollinate through wind and insects. By consuming a few spoonfuls of local honey from a plant source known to be problematic, one can build up a tolerance to the pollen and reduce the overall immune response to it, hence curing their allergies. Local farmers markets usually have a beekeeper's local honey for sale and may be labeled with different plant sources for the honey. Purchase honey that comes from the plant causing allergies. If they don't have it, try buying honey from the most local source, as this will most likely contain some pollen from many different plants in the area, further building up a tolerance.
If you can't stand the taste of ACV (like me!), add some honey to it to dull it down and sweeten it up, and make it bearable to drink. These two natural remedies can help an allergy sufferer once again enjoy the outdoors without a box of tissues.
Here are some allergy survival strategies that Dr. Oz has found to be extremely helpful to allergy sufferers:
Stay Cool
Cool eye compresses may improve appearance and reduce unwanted eye allergy symptoms.
Be a Star
Wear big sunglasses to block pollen entry into your eyes/eyelids, especially on windy days.
Rinse Wisely
Wash your eyelids gently when you wash your face each morning. Shampoo your hair in the evening if you have been out on high-pollen days (or after being outdoors) to remove and wash away unwanted seasonal pollens and molds. This will stop them from landing on your pillow and bed sheets during the night.
Wear a Hat
Get a sombrero! Wear a wide-brimmed hat to prevent pollens from landing on top of your head.
Say No to Hair Gel
Don’t use hair gel and similar hair-care products that can act as “pollen magnets” during the height of allergy season.
Avoid the Pollen Problem
Consider exercising indoors on very high-pollen days. Higher levels of pollens are usually found on warm, dry and windy days.
Plan Ahead and Know Your Pollen Count
Go to www.aaaai.org/nab for accurate pollen and mold levels in your area. Pollen levels are typically higher on warm, sunny, dry and windy days, and lower on cooler, moist, wet and “windless” days.
Mask It
Wear a pollen mask, use gloves, and avoid touching your eyes and face. This can really help during gardening and/or lawn mowing.
Don’t Line Dry
Never line dry clothing outdoors on high-pollen days, as it will adhere to your linens, towels, etc.
Avoid Certain Plants and Flowers
They may be pretty, but it’s better to keep your distance. Many flowers will drive up your allergy symptoms, especially if you really inhale their aroma up close. Avoid the following: Daisies, chrysanthemum, amaranthus, dahlia, sunflower, black-eyed Susan, zinnia, privet and lilac.
Try an Allergy-Friendly Garden
Plant gladiolus, periwinkle, begonia, bougainvillea, iris and orchid. These plants won’t aggravate your allergies.
Start Your Allergy Treatment Early
See an allergist for simple, fast, reliable allergy tests so you can get relief.
Get Shot
Allergy injections are the only immune system treatment that can actually prevent the progression of your allergies, and provide long-term relief in 85% or more of properly selected allergy sufferers.
Medications Work
Effective and safe choices for relief include: OTC nasal saline sprays/rinses, prescription nasal steroid and antihistamines, oral antihistamines, leukotriene blockers, and allergy eye drops.
Clean the Air
At home or when driving, keep windows closed and set the air conditioner on “re-circulate” to keep out the pollens. Clean filters in air conditioners frequently during allergy season to get the best efficiency.
Avoid Window Fans
This is a rather good way to bring in unwanted pollens/mold spores. If you don’t want that, skip window fans.
Avoid Cross-Reactions
As many as 1 in 3 seasonal allergy sufferers may experience “oral allergy syndrome” (tingling of the mouth or itchy throat) after ingesting certain foods (apples, pears, carrots, celery, peaches, cherries, as well as almonds and hazelnuts). If you have seasonal tree pollen allergies, this is due to a cross-reaction between the proteins in these foods and the pollens. Melons, tomatoes and oranges may cross-react with grass pollens. If you are sensitive to weed pollens watch out for melon, chamomile tea, and banana.
Enjoy the great outdoors this season with these simple, practical and proven ways to stay allergy-free!
Click here for Allergy Season Survival Strategies, Pt 1
Click here for Allergy Season Survival Strategies. Pt 2
