It's that time of year again... the flowers are blooming (they are in my garden at least!), the grass is growing, and people are suffering from seasonal allergies!
Seasonal allergies are most common in Ontario from early April until the end of October. Seasonal allergies occur when your body inhales a substance (e.g. pollen) and has a reaction to it.
Common symptoms include:
itchy, watery eyes
runny nose
sneezing
post nasal drip
headaches
congestion
fatigue
What can you do to help relieve allergy symptoms?
- Use a dryer, don't hang your clothes/sheets/towels outdoors to dry as pollen can cling to them.
- If you've been outside in a high pollen area (playing in a park or a field), shower and change your clothes when you get home.
- Wear sunglasses outside in hopes of lessening the amount of allergens that blow into your eyes
- Use a Neti Pot or Sinus Rinse - these devices literally flush allergens out of your nasal passages so that they can't activate your immune system and cause symptoms
- Eat lots of fruits & veggies (good sources of anti-oxidants and quercitin) - these can act as anti-inflammatories and anti-histamines
- Avoid foods that are naturally high in histamines (e.g. aged cheeses, processed/smoked/cured meats, alcohol, fermented foods)
If this isn't enough to keep your allergy symptoms manageable, please let me know. There are lots of supplements & herbs that can help bridge the gap until your allergy season is over!
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