From watery, itchy eyes to unbearable
congestion, allergies can certainly ruin one’s day, or even the entire season.
But, there’s no reason to remain indoors in beautiful weather, say experts.“One over-looked approach towards feeling well lies in
prevention,” says Lisa Metzger, PhD.
With that in mind, Metzger offers these allergy-fighting
tips:
1. Get exercise.
It may sound counter intuitive to go outside if you suffer from airborne
allergies, but moderate exercise is known to strengthen the body’s immune response.
Just be sure to watch the pollen count. When it’s low, squeeze in a brisk walk.
When it’s high, head to the gym instead.
READ MORE: Allergies vs. Irritants
2. Wash up. Use
baby shampoo to wash your face and eye area in the shower. During allergy
season, sweat can trap the pollen and irritants in the creases of the face
where they are the most irritating. Baby shampoo is a safe alternative to wash
away the dirt, sweat and symptoms of allergy season.
3. Natural
supplements. Allergies can be described as being caused by the immune
system over-reacting to harmless particles (like pollen). Taking a natural
supplement shown to strengthen the immune system can help.
READ MORE: Tips for coping with food allergies
4. Limit dairy.
Dairy causes the creation of phlegm, which can increase the intensity of
allergy symptoms like runny nose, sore throat and cough.
5. Change your diet.
Incorporate natural antihistamines into your meals. Look for foods that contain
flavonoids, such as tomatoes and blueberries, as well as Vitamin A found in
green leafy vegetables and squash.
6. Use a saline spray.
This may not sound like much fun, but using an inexpensive saline spray or
rinse is an effective way to flush pollen out of your nose. Saline sprays can
be purchased at any local pharmacy. As an alternative, use a neti pot
salt-water rinse.
“Your immunity affects every aspect of the day, from work
performance to emotional well-being,” says Metzger. “By taking proactive
efforts for better health, you’ll be less likely to miss out on life this
allergy season.”
Article provided by State Point