With the onset of spring and summer some of us may start dreading what accompanies the beautiful flowering trees and fresh grass. Allergies affect an increasing number of people each year, and since you are reading this, you may very well be one of them. According to a recent study, as many as 46% of Americans suffer from outdoor allergies, 22% reported missing school or work due to their symptoms. As the seasons change, the onset of symptoms can significantly impact daily life, leaving many seeking relief in whatever way possible. Understanding these symptoms and utilizing effective tools can make this seasonal transition far more bearable. In this article, we provide you with our personal top 7 tools to ease allergy symptoms easily and naturally.
Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is caused by allergens making contact with your inner nasal passages or eyes. This contact induces an immune response which can trigger inflammation and swelling in the nose and eyes. Some of the symptoms may include:
Spring and summer allergy season can be a challenging period, especially for those who lead active outdoor lives. Luckily, there are some ways to ease the symptoms so let’s get into it.
For those seeking relief, we’ve gathered seven tools and strategies to alleviate hay fever symptoms easily and naturally:
A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifier can be highly effective in removing allergens from indoor air. Particularly useful during the peak hay fever season, an air purifier helps create a cleaner, allergen-reduced environment in your home or office. This way you can get some alleviation from your symptoms when indoors and you can take some time to recover from being outdoors. Even when it does not fully help with how hay fever affects you, you do not have to suffer in your own home.
Consuming local honey is often touted as a natural remedy for hay fever because it can contain local pollen, potentially helping your body adapt to the allergens in your environment. It’s a sweet method that many find beneficial. Make sure that the honey you are buying is local though, as imported honey will not work the same way.
Using a saline solution to flush out the nasal passages can be immensely helpful in clearing mucus and allergens. This method is simple yet effective in providing relief from nasal congestion and irritation. Neti Pot is something that is used a lot in India, but is now commonly sold in US drug stores. It is as simple as mixing lukewarm filtered water with a pinch of himalayan salt in a Neti Pot and pouring the mixture into one nostril and out the other. Follow this video to learn more about properly using a neti pot.
Introducing beneficial bacteria into your diet through probiotics can help strengthen the immune system and potentially reduce allergic reactions. More and more are researches acknowledging the importance of a healthy gut for the functioning of the body as a whole. So incorporating more fermented foods and probiotic supplements into your diet are some good sources of probiotic that can also enhance the flavor profile of your meals.
Recreational oxygen like Oxygen Plus (O+) can elevate your energy and may help recovery from the effects of air pollutants and allergens. These portable oxygen canisters filled with 99.5% pure oxygen can be used for a quick burst of oxygen to alleviate symptoms and enhance your breathing comfort. They come in different sizes, suitable for any time and any place.
Several herbs, like butterbur, stinging nettle, and spirulina, are effective for natural hay fever relief. These herbs have been used for many years to alleviate varying symptoms naturally. They can be taken in tea, capsule, or tablet form to help manage symptoms.
Essential oils can help open up the airways of your nose and throat so you can breathe better again. Eucalyptus and peppermint oil, for example, are great for this purpose and have a soothing effect. Applying skin safe oils directly to your neck and upper chest is a great way to find relief fast. Diffusing essential oils into the air is another great way to experience relief.
Hay fever season varies depending on location, but typically starts in early spring and can last all the way through to autumn. This is when trees, grasses, and weeds release pollen into the air to fertilize other plants, but unfortunately for allergy sufferers, this pollen can trigger hay fever symptoms.
Interestingly, pets can suffer from allergies similar to humans, including hay fever. Dogs might show signs of itchy skin and ear infections as part of their allergic reaction. Keeping your home clean and free of excess dust and pollen can help reduce symptoms for both you and your pets.
Interestingly, while it's called "hay fever," this condition doesn't involve a fever and is not contagious, debunking one common misconception. Though it often shows up later in one's life and usually not right at birth, it is not something that has been transmuted through a virus.
While hay fever can be challenging, employing these easy, natural remedies and tools can provide significant relief. Even though hay fever injections are available for severe cases, many people manage their symptoms with home remedies for hay fever and over-the-counter solutions. Always consult with a healthcare provider to find the best treatment plan for you. Remember, the key is to reduce exposure to allergens and boost your body's ability to cope with them. By integrating some of these strategies into your daily routine, you can enjoy the springtime and beyond with fewer symptoms.