Combating Fall Seasonal Allergies

By Mia Barnes

The change of season invites you to take stock and reflect, gather your harvest and prepare for the coming holidays. It could also bring you misery if you have allergies. Taking a proactive stance can reduce your suffering when the goldenrod starts shedding petals. Here are eight ways to combat your fall seasonal allergies early.

1. Take Your Vitamins

Can the right combination of nutrients help decrease allergy suffering? Recent scientific evidence suggests the answer is yes. According to a 2018 study, oxidative stress plays a principal role in allergic reaction development. This stress results from free radicals arising from various sources, wreaking havoc on your body’s cells and lowering plasma levels of ascorbate, a vital antioxidant that prevents this condition. Supplementing with vitamin C to augment the ascorbic acid level in your body may help alleviate some of your sniffling and sneezing.

2. Irrigate Your Nose and Eyes

Have you heard of a Neti pot? If you suffer from allergies, you might want to invest in one. These devices irrigate your nasal passages, rinsing out allergens and opening airways. While these gadgets come with no medical guidelines, some ear, nose and throat specialists recommend their use. Allergies can also make your eyes miserably itchy and red, making computer time unbearable. Fortunately, you can find anti-allergy eye drops at most discount stores. Follow the directions on the container to avoid rebound redness that could make you look suspicious at traffic stops.

3. Get Clean and Tidy

When was the last time you got out the feather duster? You might want to do so as often as once or twice a week if you have allergies. The extra effort could do more than reduce your sniffling and sneezing. Letting dust build up can damage your furnishings by scratching them. However, dry rags might do little more than spread allergens around your home. Nor do they kill germs. You should opt for disinfecting wipes, which seek and eradicate germs, as opposed to merely reducing their numbers on surfaces. Sanitizing wipes help but don’t have the same bacteria-busting power.

4. Adjust Your Diet

Eating foods containing the right blend of nutrients might also ease allergy pain. You already know to chow down on those high in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits and red bell peppers. Why not whip up some curry? It contains turmeric, one of the best natural anti-inflammatories that may reduce some of the swelling associated with your stuffy nose. Onions are a natural source of quercetin, a supplement you might find on store shelves. Some people believe it works as a natural antihistamine.

5. Try Acupuncture

Please have no fear of the acupuncture needle. The filament is so small that it’s only slightly thicker than human hair. If you’re accustomed to taking shots, you won’t even feel the insertion. Western scientists believe acupuncture works by stimulating nerves to send certain signals, while eastern practitioners swear by chi or vital energy flow. Either way, you might find relief from your fall seasonal allergy symptoms.

6. Move Your Body

Exercise increases your respiration rate. What happens when you breathe more heavily? You expel allergens from your body more quickly. However, you might want to take some precautions if you’re an outdoor exerciser. Keep an eye on the pollen count. When it soars too high, you might want to take your run inside on the treadmill.

7. Try Some Herbs

Butterbur has a longstanding reputation for helping ease seasonal allergy suffering. Science now supports what herbalists have noticed for years. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, some studies suggest this herb for treating allergic rhinitis. However, you should avoid this substance if you have concerns about your liver. Opt for a product that has been processed to remove pyrrolizidine alkaloids — please read labels carefully if opting for this route.

8. Experiment With Local Honey

Remember the scene in “The Princess Bride” when Westley says he’s spent years building an immunity to Iocane powder? While that story is fictional, there may be truth to how you can increase your tolerance to nearby allergens through exposure to honey made by bees in your region. Where can you find the best local honey? If you guessed your farmer’s market, you win first prize. You can also find this remedy at many health food stores, although you’ll need to inquire about the source. Your final option is to seek out a nearby beekeeper.

Fall seasonal allergies can make you miserable during one of the best seasons of the year. Combat them early with these techniques!

Mia Barnes

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Mia Barnes is a lifestyle writer with an interest in healthy relationships, and of course all things…life! She is also the Editor-in-Chief at BodyMind.com.