Allergy is simply body’s reaction to unwelcome invaders. When an allergen enters your system, the immune system goes into “defense” mode and triggers the body to release a chemical called histamine (along with other chemicals), which try and immobilize these particles. The itchy eyes, sneezing and runny nose, along with the swollen bronchial tubes, is just your body trying to rid itself of these foreign invaders so you don’t suffer an allergic reaction.
Seasonally induced asthma is definitely on the rise now and affects a majority of women. So being able to control and suppress your allergy symptoms is not only important for your daily happiness, it’s also crucial for your overall health and well-being if you’re an asthmatic.
Carrier of an Allergic Attack
- Animal dander
- Medications such as penicillin
- Bee stings
- Dust mites
- Insect bites
- Mold
- Foods such as peanuts, fish, tree nuts, eggs, shellfish, milk, soy, and wheat
- Plants
- Pollens
Tips to Combat:
Change your clothes when you come home. Never leave without a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
Get into the habit of using a broad rimmed hat & sunglasses to prevent pollens from entering your eyes which can trigger itching and causing watery eyes.
Avoid spending more time outdoors on windy, sunny, pollen-infested days, incase you have no option, toss soiled clothes in the hamper immediately. Don’t forget that you drag pollen into your home on your clothes and shoes even if you can’t see it. If you have time jump in the shower.
Revamp Your Diet
In the journal Allergy, they published a German study that showed patients who regularly consumed omega-3 rich foods were far less likely to suffer allergies and the accompanying symptoms compared to people who rarely ate these foods. Another Swedish study, also published in the Allergy journal, found that kids who regularly ate fish before the age of one had a much lower incidence of allergies by the time they reached age four. Omega-6 help the body produce powerful chemicals known as prostaglandins. These hormone-like substances block the body’s production of the chemical histamine, which as you know, is a primary culprit for allergy symptoms. Good sources of omega-3 are cold water fatty fish, krill oil, green lipped mussels, evening primrose oil, walnuts, eggs, flax seeds and flaxseed oil. For omega-6, evening primrose oil is clearly the best, followed by walnuts, sesame seeds, safflower seeds and Brazil nuts. Include plenty of fresh fruit, veggies, herbs, berries, nuts and seeds (organically grown if possible). Use almond milk or coconut milk as a substitute for cow’s milk. And of course, eat and drink plenty of your probiotic rich cultured foods and liquids to keep your insides healthy!
Exercise Regularly to Boost Immunity
One of the best home remedy to combat allergy is exercise. This wonderful practice helps to alleviate allergies, particularly hay fever, especially in kids! A 12 year German study found that inactive kids suffered twice the amount and rate of hay fever as active kids. Another English survey found that people who do suffer with hay fever, but exercise regularly, have much milder symptoms than their couch potato counterparts. And the side benefit of regular exercise is it builds-up and enhances your immune system and reduces your stress levels quite significantly. Choose to workout in the evening, people with allergies experience more sneezing and itching in the morning, because many trees release their pollen at first light, and ragweed pollen tends to fly most thickly at midday—so stick to end-of-day strolls.
Get Masked
Wear a mask when doing your yard work and gardening. Thoroughly wash your clothes after being outside. If you’re prone to allergies during the springtime, visit a lake or beach instead of the countryside. You can also put salt lamps in your home or office to reduce your allergy symptoms.
Take your meds at night, not in the morning.
Hay fever symptoms, such as runny nose, scratchy throat, and sneezing typically, are at their worst in the morning. What helps most people is taking medication at bedtime, says Richard Martin, MD, at National Jewish Health in Denver.
These tips will help build your immune system to combat allergies.
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