7 Tips for Surviving Allergy Season

Blooming flowers, fresh-cut grass and warm, sunny, breezy days — these are the signs of spring that get Oregonians excited for outdoor activities. That is until the other signs of spring begin: The itchy, watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing. Seasonal allergies are in full swing.

In this blog post, Market of Choice Whole Health Manager, Gwendolyn, offers 7 tips to ease and manage the uncomfortable symptoms of seasonal allergies.

1. Reduce your exposure to pollen

Do you see thick layers of pollen coating cars and sidewalks outside? Pollen can also stick to other surfaces like your skin, hair and clothing — triggering major seasonal allergy symptoms. After spending time outside, take a shower to wash off any leftover pollen and put on a fresh set of clothes.

2. Protect your eyes

Itchy, watery eyes bothering you? If you wear eyeglasses, you know how especially irritating allergy-sensitive eyes can be. Rinse your glasses in hot water a few times throughout the day to wash off any accumulated pollen. A cool washcloth applied to the eyes can help soothe puffiness too. Use eye drops for instant relief.

3. Rinse your sinuses

The nose knows! Rinsing your sinuses can help prevent congestion and pressure that often lead to headaches. Consider using a nasal irrigation device to help flush out harmful allergens, such as a neti pot. The neti pot is a natural, traditional sinus rinsing device that many people swear by. Check out this article to learn more about the safety and proper use of the neti pot.

4. Enjoy the great indoors

Allergy sufferers can benefit from staying indoors on dry, windy days, especially in the morning when pollen counts are at their highest. This is a good time to use that gym membership, or treadmill for exercise indoors rather than going out.

5. Close the windows

It may be tempting to open the windows and let in some fresh spring air, but you’re also letting pollen inside that can stick to surfaces and trigger allergy symptoms indoors. If the house gets too warm, use the air conditioner rather than opening the windows.

Try a summer scented candle to bring in the fresh scent of spring.

6. Wear a mask while doing yard work

Yardwork piling up? If hiring someone to do the yardwork for you is out of the question this year, wear a mask to reduce your exposure to pollen while working outside.

7. Try a natural supplement for allergy relief

Can supplements help? Research suggests that quercetin, a flavonoid found in many plants and foods, can halt the body’s production of histamines that cause seasonal allergy symptoms. Quercetin is available as an herbal supplement, and can be found in the Whole Health department of your local Market.

When allergy symptoms creep up, try natural OTC remedies. Visit your Market and talk with one of our Whole Health experts about our many natural and effective seasonal allergy remedies.

The bottom line

For many Oregonians, seasonal allergies are a regular part of the spring and early summer experience. But, by implementing ways to cope with, and manage symptoms, you can still enjoy the season’s bright spots.

Sources and suggested links:

• OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital
• PeaceHealth
• University of Oregon University Health Services
• The Mayo Clinic
• The National Institutes of Health
• The National Center for Biotechnology Information
• National University of Natural Medicine