When we talk about seasonal allergies, most people think of them as only being a problem in the spring. However, fall allergies also get the best of us. Ragweed pollen is one of the biggest allergy triggers during the fall season. Another common allergy that brings a lot of people down is mold.
1. Plan. Start taking your allergy medications about two weeks before your symptoms normally start. This will hopefully let you get control of them early on. You also don’t want stop your medications until pollen counts have been down for about two weeks.
2. Beware of mold. Mold can grow anywhere there is water and is a frequent problem in the fall. Mold can be found in your basement, bathroom, a leaky cabinet under your sink, or in a pile of dead leaves in your backyard. The key to reducing mold is moisture control. You can also help ward off mold by keeping home humidity below 60 percent and cleaning gutters regularly.
3. Keep pollen out. Keep ragweed, or any pollen that triggers your allergy symptoms, out of your house. Several ways to help with that are leaving your shoes at the door, taking a shower, washing your hair and changing clothes after you’ve been working or playing outdoors. Keep both your car and house windows closed and use your air conditioning. Monitor both pollen and mold counts to help you know when you’re most likely to be affected. Use a HEPA filter and/or air humidifier to keep airborne pollen levels low.
4. Be ready. Wear a filter mask when mowing the lawn or doing other outdoor chores. Also, wear gloves so you don’t transfer pollen to your eyes or skin. Don’t forget to take your allergy medication before heading outside.
5. See your allergist. Allergists are trained to identify your allergies and provide a personal treatment plan. They can also provide immunotherapy (allergy shots) which target your exact triggers and can greatly reduce the severity of your symptoms.
Home remedies for your allergies
1. Eat healthy. Eat lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, and nuts; especially grapes, apples, oranges, and tomatoes.
2. Nasal rinse. Cleans mucus from your nose and can ease allergy symptoms there. It also can wash away bacteria, thin out the mucus, and relieve on postnasal drip.
3. Fluids. Drink more water, juice, or other nonalcoholic drinks. The extra liquid can thin the mucus in your nasal passages and give you some relief. Hot fluids like teas, broth, or soup also have an added benefit: steam.
4. Acupuncture. This ancient practice may bring some relief to reduce the tension in your nasal passages.
5. Vitamins. Studies show that getting 2000 milligrams of vitamin C a day can reduce histamine levels by up to 40%.
6. Apple Cider vinegar. It has an array of health and wellness benefits, including antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it a great natural remedy for allergies.
7. Local raw honey. Having some raw honey every day will help your body build a tolerance to the local pollen that is affecting your sinuses.
8. Essential Oils. They can reduce the pain associated with your immune system response, reduce inflammation, and block the allergens from entering your body. Here are a few examples of the essential oils that can help treat allergies. Some other essential oils that may help are lemon oil, tea tree oil, basil, frankincense, chamomile, ginger, lemongrass, and cypress. Just make sure that you are using only using 100% pure, organic oils with no unnecessary additives.
a. Peppermint oil is an expectorant, a relaxant, and has antispasmodic properties. It can help clear your sinuses, relieve the pain of a sore throat, and reduce coughing.
b. Eucalyptus oil is a great treatment for any respiratory ailments. It is an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant. So it can help you clear your sinuses, reduce chest pressure, and calm wheezing.
c. Lavender oil is a powerful anti-inflammatory and a natural antihistamine. It can strengthen your body against allergens and reduce many of the painful symptoms of your allergies. It can also help treat rashes and hives that can occur from skin allergies.
