Allergy, allergy asthma symptoms and seasonal allergy symptoms can all be helped with some common sense natural allergy relief precautions  and good housekeeping/hygiene standards.

1.  Avoid going outside, especially on dry, windy days.

2.   Use air conditioner at home and in car.  Avoid open windows and doors.

3.   Remove houseplants to reduce mold.  If you can’t make yourself get rid of them, at least remove them from the bedroom.

4.   Reduce mold with frequent cleaning of shower curtains, bathroom windows, damp walls, dry rot areas and indoor trash cans.  Use a mixture of chlorine bleach and water to kill mold.

5.   Don’t carpet damp rooms such as bathrooms.   Use mold-proof paint in these areas instead of wallpaper.

6.  Reduce the humidity in your home to below 35  percent with a dehumidifier to help prevent the growth of mold and mites.

7.  Replace small-particle filters in your central air conditioning system.

8.   Take a shower and change your clothes immediately after spending time outdoors.

9.   Avoid yard work like cutting the grass.

10.   Don’t hang your clothes outdoors on a clothesline where they can get covered in allergens.

11.   Pollen levels are highest in the morning.  Schedule outdoor activities for afternoons or evenings.

12.  Wash your hands after petting an animal that’s been outside or if it is known that you have dog allergy symptoms or cat allergies.   Keep pets out of the bedroom if you are known to be allergic to them.   Bathe your pet frequently.

13.   Dust mites occur in anyone’s home no matter how clean. Symptoms of dust mite allergy include itchy and running eyes, itchy nose, sneezing, wheezing, coughing and dry, itchy skin.

To combat dust mite allergy, remove drapes, feather pillows, upholstered furniture, non-washable comforters and soft plush toys.   Replace carpets with wood or linoleum flooring.  Vacuum often with a vacuum that has a high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA).  Vacuum soft furniture and curtains.  (You’re better off using blinds which can be wiped off than curtains.) Wash all bedding in water hotter than 130 degrees every 7 to 10 days.   Place an dust mite encasing around the mattress, box spring and pillow.  Tape over the zippers on these with masking tape for extra insurance.  Products such as benzyl benzoate or tannic acid are useful if there is wall-to-wall carpeting and it can’t be removed.

Leading allergists claim these  dust mite prevention techniques are much more effective than using HEPA air filter purifiers.

14.   Wear a disposable face masks (available at most drug and hardware stores) when cleaning, gardening,  or even just being outdoors when the pollen count is high and mold spores are being blown about on a windy day.   One ragweed plant can produce up to one billion pollen grains.  Each grain can travel more than 100 miles from its source.

15.  Children with allergy asthma should get a flu vaccine at the end of October before the onset of cold weather.

16.  Contact your family physician or allergist for proper evaluation and treatment of allergy symptoms.

Related posts:

1. Indoor Allergens – What they are and how to get rid of them
2. Get rid of indoor allergens
3. Natural Allergy Relief With Herbs and Home Remedies

Spring is here and so is the beginning of seasonal allergy symptoms.   Most seasonal allergies are caused by airborne pollens.  This comes in the form of a very fine powder that is released by trees, grasses and weeds.  Molds being airborne in outdoor air also contribute to seasonal allergies.

An allergy is an immune system over-reaction that causes the body to have a hypersensitive reaction to a normally benign substance.  An allergy test is needed to determine which allergens are causing the problems.

In warmer parts of the country outdoor allergens may be present year-round.  For the rest of us, it normally begins in late winter or early spring and continues through late summer or early fall, depending on the climate.   As the season progresses, varied pollens are present to trigger allergic reactions.

The Allergens That Cause Seasonal Allergies

The first to pollinate are usually trees, in late winter and early spring.  Trees are followed by the pollination of grasses in late spring and summer.  Weeds can pollinate at different times.  The infamous ragweed pollinates in late summer and
early fall.

Ragweed is the number one cause of seasonal allergy symptoms.  Allergic rhinitis can develop into other complications.  These complications may include ear infections, sinusitis, recurrent sore throats, cough, headaches, and it can trigger allergy asthma attacks.   This is why it is important that the allergy symptoms be well controlled.

Increasing amounts of ragweed pollen can trigger serious allergic asthma symptoms such as wheezing and difficulty breathing.  Children who are allergic to ragweed are especially at risk of developing asthma during peak pollen season.  A three-year study of children with seasonal allergies found that one in five experienced asthma symptoms during pollen season despite no previously reported history of asthma.

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have found that more than 50 percent of current asthma cases can be attributed to allergies.  Of these, approximately 30 percent are attributed to cat allergy.  Asthma in the U.S. is one of the most common illnesses and affects more than 22 million people.

Outdoor molds usually reach their highest levels in late summer or early fall.  Some regions such as Florida  can have high outdoor mold counts throughout the year.

It sounds overwhelming, but you are not powerless against seasonal allergies.  There are traditional and natural allergy treatments that can provide relief of allergy symptoms.

Allergy Treatments

Traditional allergy treatment means taking over-the-counter antihistamines such as Claritin or Zyrtec.    You may opt to get a series of immunizations after your allergist tests you for specific allergy reactions.  These immunizations, or allergy immunotherapy, usually are given over a period of years, but many people do find some eventual relief of respiratory allergies to pollen, dust mite allergy, and outdoor molds after completing the series.

Nasal sprays, another traditional allergy treatment, can reduce or block seasonal allergy symptoms.  They help reduce inflammation and counteract the allergic response.

Non-traditional or natural methods of coping with seasonal allergies  are varied.  Research studies have found some of these natural allergy relief treatments to be as effective as prescription and over-the-counter drug remedies but without the side effects usually experienced such as fatigue, grogginess, drowsiness, etc.  They are for the most part cheaper.  They also provide relief without having to be dependent on an artificial chemical(s) for those who dislike taking drugs of any kind.

Quercetin, an antioxidant, belongs to a class of water-soluable plant substances called flavonoids.  It has yet to be proven by research that it is effective against hay fever.  However, it is thought to prevent the release of the inflammatory chemical histamine from immune cells called mast cells.  Sneezing and itching involve histamines.

Quercetin can be found in certain foods such as apples (with the skin on), berries, red grapes, red onions, capers and black tea.  It is also available as a diet supplement.  The typical dose for hay fever is between 200 and 400 milligrams three times a day.

Carotenoids are a family of plant pigments.  The most popular of these is beta-carotene.  No controlled studies show that carotenoids are effective against hay fever, but a lack of them in the diet is thought to promote inflammation of the airways.

There are no guidelines to suggest a recommended daily intake against hay fever.  But many people don’t eat even one serving of carotenoid-rich foods a day.  Those with seasonal allergies should try to digest at least two servings per day.

Good sources of carotenoids include apricots, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, spinach, kale, butternut squash and collard greens.

Research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals in the body.  One German study involving 568 people found that a high content of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet was associated with decreased risk of hay fever.

Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids are fish oil capsules, flaxseed oil (1 tablespoon two to three times a day) and walnuts (1 ounce or 14 halves a day).

The herb butterbur (see article on this website) has been proven to block the action of histamine and leukotrienes, the inflammatory chemicals involved in allergic reactions.   It is available as a supplement.  Be sure the label says “P.A. free.”

Mangosteen, a tropical fruit, (see article on this website) is in a powerful class of antioxidants called Xanthones that have proven to be a great source of natural allergy relief.   Mangosteen juice is available at health food stores.

Herbal relief – (See accompanying article on this website.)

Acupuncture and accupressure may also provide relief of seasonal allergy symptoms, although not enough research has been done to prove this absolutely

Seasonal allergies can be debilitating, but today there are a host of effective treatments that will not cure them, but greatly reduce their  symptoms. .  It’s up to you as to whether you want to go with traditional therapies, alternative/natural treatments, or a combination of the two.

Related posts:

1. Ways to Find Natural Allergy Relief, Prevention and Treatment
2. Myths and Facts About Allergies That Might Surprise You
3. New Research Studies Prove Effectiveness of Butterbur in Allergy Treatment