Tips on how to tackle the allergies of summertime
Hay fever symptoms are caused by histamine levels in the body rising as they react to pollen in the air.
Classic symptoms include continuous sneezing (especially after waking up in the morning), a runny, stuffy and itchy nose, itchy and watery eyes, sore and scratchy throat, coughing, frequent headaches, nasal congestion, postnasal drip, fatigue, itchy palate and sleep disordered breathing.
The severity of these symptoms varies from person to person, with some only suffering mildly while others are left debilitated by them.
However, it might come as a surprise to discover that you can take back a certain level of control by making a few small changes to your daily routine during the hay fever season.
Firstly, you should shower before bed to avoid the pollen making contact with your bedding and disrupting your sleep. It may also help to have an air purifier in your bedroom.
In the morning, after you have washed and completed your usual grooming routine, dab some Vaseline under your nose to trap the pollen and prevent it being breathed in.
Prevent pollen particles from reaching the delicate tissues of your eyes and nose.
Wear sunglasses (preferably the wrap-around type) when out and about. A hat and lightweight scarf can lessen the amount of pollen in your hair, too.
If it is practical to do so, also have an air purifier in your working environment.
After work, change the clothing you have had on during the day and wash as soon as possible to avoid transporting pollens into the home. (both of which are non-drowsy) and try both types to see which helps you best. One may work for you when the other doesn’t.
It is also worth considering supermarket and pharmacy own-brand allergy relief tablets as they can be equally as effective as big-name brands and, often, much cheaper.
For those of you who might prefer a more natural alternative, a useful herbal remedy you may like to try is Pollinosan hay fever tablets, which contain seven tropical herbs in varying homeopathic potencies and are also non-drowsy.
They can be used to treat allergies to grass pollen, as well as aller dust, animals and pets
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aenoids which help alleviate hay fever symptoms. Chilli peppers are also anti-inflammatory, too.
Root vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, beetroot and pumpkins also contain carotenoids and can ease
White, red and green onions are high in quercetin and many sources recommend adding them raw to salads as the cooking process reduces the amount of quercetin content.
It is also advisable to consider replacing lettuce with kale in salads to help prevent itchy eyes and runny noses. Berries like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and cranberries are high in vitamin C and rich in antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and can lower histamine levels.
So, a berry smoothie or fruit salad can offer relief if you’re feeling congested.
Another fruit that can ease symptoms is pineapple. Pineapple has bromelain, an enzyme which helps reduce pain and swelling in the nose and gums.
And, although the science isn’t strong, it is said that eating locally-produced honey might be a delicious way to build your resistance to the pollen in your area.
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