Seasonal allergies can be so frustrating. The constant itchy swollen eyes, the sneezing, runny nose and feeling like your head is full of cotton wool. There are a few things that you can put into place to help survive the season and lessen the symptoms.
Reduce your exposure to allergens where possible. Keep the windows closed at home and in the car, when pollen count is high or it is extremely windy to keep the allergens out.
Vacuum the house regularly to remove dust, dustmites, animal hair and pollen from carpets and fabric. A HEPA filter vacuum is best as it filters smaller particles.
Wear sunglasses and hat to avoid pollens on the face when outside to limit the itchy, swollen eyes.
Wash bed sheets regularly and do not dry outside when pollen count is high to limit the pollen that is brought back into the house. Use a hot wash and a eucalyptus rinse to kill dust mites that may exacerbate allergies.
Shower or wash your face when you arrive home to rid of any pollen that you picked up outside.
Use a saline nasal spray or neti-pot to irrigate the nasal passages to remove pollen from the nose & saline or colloidal silver eye wash to help with eye inflammation and reduce infection.
Look at implementing a low histamine diet whilst hayfever season is around. Some foods contain high histamines and can increase your general hayfever symptoms - red wine, fermented foods, aged and cured meats, tomatoes, citrus and strawberries are some of the top thing to avoid.
Drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration especially if you are taking anti-histamines. Nettle, peppermint tea, green tea, ginger, licorice and rosehip tea are great as they can have either anti-histamine action, anti-inflammatory action or act as a decongestant
Improve gut health with a probiotic which can help to balance the immune system and improve digestion which will help with allergies via enzyme action on the foods we eat.
Essential oils an be helpful in decreasing congestion, especially lavender, peppermint, tea-tree and lemon which can be diffused or used in a base cream or oil as a chest rub. For people really sensitive replace the lemon with frankincense.
In Health & happiness
Kirsty