Hay fever symptoms spoil the sunlight. Here are 8 key things an expert wants you to know about allergy season
About 20 percent of us struggle during the spring season. Instead of looking forward to longer, sunnier days, many who struggle with hay fever symptoms are filled with dread instead.
Tree pollen is the main trigger, but there are a number of other allergens throughout the year that can cause many reactions, from sneezing, watery, itchy and irritated eyes, a runny nose, and sometimes a cough.
“As the Earth’s climate begins to change, we will see an increase in CO2 in the atmosphere. It’s a key growth factor in plants, trees and other flora that can change their growth patterns,” explains Dr. Ross Walton, immunologist and founder of A-IRCR.com.
Tree pollen is the main trigger, but there are a number of other allergens throughout the year.
“These changes could alter flowering seasons, which in turn would extend their pollen production period and potentially increase the total pollen load released into the environment.
“This is bad news for hayfever sufferers, who will not only experience a longer period of hayfever symptoms, but it is possible that these changes will also lead to an increase in the severity of their symptoms.”
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#1 Keep the dust outside where it belongs.
Minimizing dust inside your home is key to reducing circulating dust in your home. Anything worn outside should be removed before entering the home.
wash and shower as soon as you get inside
This includes shoes, all clothing and if possible washing and showering as soon as you get in, and if you have long hair it’s worth washing or rinsing your hair as the dust sticks to your hair and ends up on the bed.
#2 Homework Checklist
Vacuum as much as you can and just be careful when it comes to emptying your vacuum to wear a mask and do it outside if possible.
In addition, it is better to soak the dust with a damp cloth, rather than to spin the pollen with a special vacuum cleaner.
Wash the bedding regularly to get rid of any pollen that may be stuck to it. However, even if you don’t change all your sheets, it’s always a good idea to change your pillowcases at least twice a week to ease your symptoms at night.
It may also be worth trying anti-allergy bedding, sometimes known as anti-pumice bedding.
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#3 Ditch the bouquets
Unfortunately, fresh flowers are a definite no-go for hay fever sufferers, as this will only make the symptoms worse.
Studies have shown that people living in rural areas, who are more exposed to a variety of flora and fauna, have lower rates of allergies compared to their urban counterparts.
Urbanization has long been associated with higher incidence and severity of allergies
Recent studies examining the frequency and severity of allergy symptoms in affected populations have linked the most frequent and severe symptoms to those living in or present in the most built-up and polluted areas.
“Urban development has long been associated with a higher incidence and severity of allergies in the population,” says Dr. Walton.
Lack of exposure to various microorganisms, including those found in the natural environment, and poor air quality are thought to cause this phenomenon.
“By promoting exposure to diverse flora, especially in urban environments, we can reduce the burden of allergies on individuals and society.”
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#4 Checklist for your environment
Revealed – stay in your area and try to get to know different flora, which can help reduce the risk and severity of allergies over time. To do this, try to spend more time in green spaces, gardening and other outdoor activities.
Don’t give up on exercise – regular exercise helps support your immune system, so don’t give up when you have hay fever. If you exercise outdoors, try to do it in the early morning or late evening, as most pollen arrives in the afternoon or early evening.
Practical protection – Wearing Vaseline around your nose to prevent allergens from entering your nasal passages and wearing sunglasses that protect your eyes can help make you more comfortable when exercising outdoors while getting the benefits of local anesthetic exposure.
#5 Take care of your microbiome
“The gut microbiome, the complex ecosystem of microorganisms that inhabit the human digestive system, is increasingly recognized as an important factor in regulating the immune system and maintaining good health,” says Dr. Walton.
“Recent research suggests that changes in the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota may be associated with the onset and severity of allergic diseases.
“Individuals with allergies have been found to have a different gut microbiota composition compared to non-allergic individuals.
Individuals with allergies have been found to have different gut microbiota
In addition, interventions to promote diversity of gut microbiota, such as prebiotics and probiotics, consumption of fermented foods, and avoidance of complex sugars, which promote the proliferation of beneficial bacteria, have shown promise in alleviating allergy symptoms.
“These findings highlight the important role of maintaining gut health in the management of allergic diseases.”
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#6 Make the right dietary choices to reduce your allergen load
A. Alison Cullen, a nutritionist working with Vogel, recommends the following changes to help you get through allergy season.
Chew your food – Simple dietary changes, such as how we eat, can help, just by chewing thoroughly will make your digestive reactions stronger and offer faster satiety.
Cut down on refined/processed foods – reduce the intake of refined sugar and processed foods in your diet. Refined sugars feed unfriendly flora, so cut back on them for a happier gut and immune system. Avoiding processed foods and eating foods with high nutritional value improves the immune response to allergens.
Smart exchanges – Think about the food you eat and how healthy it is. It’s not always easy to afford organic food, but making small trades to reduce pesticide exposure will help. Check out the list of “Dirty Dozen” foods, these are the foods that contain the highest concentration of pesticides; either because their thin skin and high water content mean they absorb pesticides easily, or because they tend to use the most pesticides. .
Avoid foods high in histamine – If you are sensitive to histamine, reduce your exposure to foods high in histamine, such as:
- alcoholic beverages,
- sauerkraut
- vinegar,
- soy sauce
- kefir,
- kombucha,
- yogurt,
- olive,
- boiled meat
- sour cream
- buttermilk
- aged cheeses,
- don’t
- citrus fruits,
- avocado,
- nuts,
- cashew,
- peanuts,
- eggplant,
- spinach,
- tomatoes,
- tuna
- anchovies
- and sardines.
- Bananas, pineapples, papayas and strawberries can also stimulate the release of histamine.
If you’re sensitive to histamine, you’re likely to have much more severe symptoms, and a list of foods high in histamine can cause reactions like a rash or make you feel weak or otherwise worse.
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#7 Try meterless support
There are a number of symptom relievers that can help allergy sufferers by relieving the debilitating symptoms caused by allergies, such as A.Vogel’s Pollinosan Luffa Hay Fever Tablets, £11.99, which are a homeopathic remedy.
For those struggling with itchy eyes, which can be very irritating, Pollinosan Hay fever Eye Drops, £13.99 are ideal to keep in your bag throughout the day, they are also a soothing solution to red, burning , for itchy eyes and can. used with contact lenses and suitable for vegans.
#8 Be considerate of pollen
Checking the pollen count in your area each day is a great way to gather your tools and check what you need or to keep your home environment as dust free as possible.
Check your daily pollen forecast here.
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