While you might enjoy the warmer weather, you certainly don’t welcome spring allergy symptoms. But knowing the sources of bothersome spring allergies, such as pollen, can help you reduce your exposure.
Springtime brings not just deliciously longer days, warmer weather, balmy breezes and blooming flowers. For people with allergies, it means the return of pollen. Pollen and allergies don’t mix. There’s not much you can do to avoid pollen altogether — after all, it’s produced by grasses, trees, flowers and weeds — but you can minimize the misery. Luckily, allergy suffers can find substantial relief from natural remedies. Here’s your springtime allergy survival guide.
Spring Allergies: Tree Pollen
Trees cause allergies because they produce small pollen cells that are light and dry, and can be carried far by the spring breeze.
Eleven types of trees are common triggers of hay fever in spring, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology:
- Oak
- Western red cedar
- Sycamore
- Maple
- Elm
- Birch
- Ash
- Cypress
- Walnut
- Hickory
- Poplar
These trees release pollen around the same time every year. If you’re allergic to any of them, when their pollen is in the air you’ll start sneezing, experience congestion, and feel itchy eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.
You’ll get some relief from spring allergy symptoms on rainy or cloudy days, or when there’s no wind to make the pollen airborne. But when the weather is warm and dry, and especially when the wind picks up, allergies are likely to become worse.
Spring Allergies: Mold
Mold spores work in a similar way. Mold, such as yeast and mildew, releases seeds called spores that are carried by the wind. They’re very abundant in the air outside and tend to cause the worst allergy symptoms from spring through fall.
Outdoor molds include Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Hormodendrun. Mold can also be found inside your home; indoor molds include Aspergillus and Penicillium.
Mold also causes typical allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, congestion, a runny nose, or watery eyes that are itchy.
Getting Relief From Spring Allergies
Your best defense from spring allergies is to keep your doors and windows closed, use allergy filters on your air conditioning unit, wash your clothes and take a shower after you’ve been exposed to pollen and mold spores, and avoid doing yard work or exercising outdoors on days when pollen counts are high. You can also talk to your doctor or allergist about treatment options.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar might just be the most useful condiment in your kitchen. Apple cider vinegar is also an amazing natural allergy remedy, as it can help reduce mucous production and cleanse your lymphatic system. The quick and dirty approach is to swallow a tablespoon. For a more palatable option, try adding a tablespoon to a cup of hot water with a small bit of honey.
- Water
Hydrate like it’s your job. The side effects of being dehydrated are immense. It can cause you to be moody, make you hungrier, and make it harder to lose weight. Being dehydrated can make you tired and make it difficult for you to get a full night’s rest. It can cause headaches, breakouts, and bloating. And, it can heighten any allergy symptoms you’re experiencing.
- Fish Oil Supplement
A study of people with allergic asthma (asthma caused by allergies) found those who took daily fish-oil supplements for a month had lower levels of leukotrienes, chemicals that contribute to the allergic reaction.
- Cook with turmeric
Curcumin is the main bioactive ingredient in turmeric. In fact, it is responsible for giving turmeric its distinctive, bright, golden yellow color. Numerous research articles have shown it to have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and even antioxidant properties. Curcumin also has shown a distinct anti-inflammatory effect. One study showed benefit equally to that of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for osteoarthritis
- Eucalyptus Oil
The strong, piney aroma of eucalyptus oil can supercharge steam inhalation, helping to open your sinuses and nasal passages further. Some research suggests the essential oil, extracted from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree, has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Try adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a bowl of steaming water, or to the floor of the shower before you step in. Just don’t swallow the oil or apply it directly to your skin; it’s toxic in concentrated amounts.
- Salt Therapy
With a special machine called a Halogenerator (a dry salt aerosol), made up of salt particles that are microscopic in size, is circulated in the therapy room where you simply sit and relax. You will not notice the dry-salt enriched air that when easily inhaled with natural breathing is able to deliver low concentrations of salt deep into the lungs where it is most needed. No therapy treatment could be easier.
