Health and Fitness

As fall kicks off, the statistics for allergic reactions go sky high. About 50 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergy caused by ragweed and other weed pollens, and mold spores. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology estimates that 20% of the U.S. population suffers from allergies symptoms on a regular basis.  

A lot of people cannot sleep, work, and do their daily routines because of ragweed allergies causing uncontrollable sneezing, runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, and coughing.

Here are some tips which can help you during the allergy season:

1. Apply the cold pack to your eyes and your face since it can help a lot in relieving the itching, swelling and irritation.  

2. Get a HEPA air cleaner to filter particles which are about 20 microns or smaller. Pollens and allergens are about that big small so these devices will help in cleaning the indoor air of your home

3. You can also try to nasal saline irrigation to help remove trapped allergens and excess mucus.  

4. Horseradish, hot mustard, and chili pepper on your favorite dish can increase nasal secretions and help cleanse your nasal membranes of pollens and other particles.

5. Wear sunglasses when you go outdoors. Hay fever or allergic rhinitis brings with it some photosensitivity. The sunglasses can help protect your eyes from the sun’s heat and irritation.

Other unproven ways to respond to seasonal allergy that you may want to consider:

1. Stay away from dairy products. As much as they are really enjoyable, dairy products will trigger your body to produce more phlegm and just worsen your symptoms.

2. Eat healthy. Make sure that your diet will be rich in Vitamin C which can boost your immune system and acts as a naturally antihistamine. You can also take about 1000 mg of Vitamin C on a daily basis to shield yourself from ragweed allergy and other seasonal allergies. Omega-3 rich food like flaxseed, salmon, and walnuts will also help.  

3. Magnesium can also help to ease your breathing. About 400 mg is ideal according to immunologists.

Consult your allergy doctor so you can be tested for allergies. Most often than not, people who have allergies are also sensitive to some foods that they usually take. Some people who are allergic to birch pollen, for example, also react to potatoes, carrots, and apples. Ragweed allergy is also aggravated if you do not react well to a glass of milk.  

Find out what allergens cause you trouble so you can avoid them, modify your lifestyle, and protect yourself from these seasonal allergies.

As fall kicks off, the statistics for allergic reactions go sky high. About 50 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergy caused by ragweed, mold, pollen, and other substances. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology plots 20% of the U.S. population need to combat allergies symptoms on a regular occurrence while another 20% deal with hypersensitivity to food, stimuli, or environmental stuffs.

Ragweed allergy may look so simple but a lot of people cannot sleep, work, and do their daily routines because of coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes.

Here are some tips which can help you breathe more comfortably during the allergy season:

1. Eat healthy. Make sure that your diet will be rich in Vitamin C which can boost your immune system and acts as a naturally antihistamine. You can also take about 1000 mg of Vitamin C on a daily basis to shield yourself from ragweed allergy and other seasonal allergies. Omega-3 rich food like flaxseed, salmon, and walnuts will also help.

2. Magnesium can also help to ease your breathing. About 400 mg is ideal according to immunologists. You can also try to irrigate your nostrils with a squirt or two of salt water to help remove trapped allergens and excess mucus. Horseradish, hot mustard, and chili pepper on your favorite dish can also serve as temporary decongestants.

3. Wear sunglasses when you go out. Hay fever or allergic rhinitis brings with it some photosensitivity. The sunglasses can help protect your eyes from the sun and prevent excessive watering and itchiness.

4. Cold packs will be useful when engage in sports or other outdoor activities. Apply the cold pack to your eyes and your face and it can help a lot in reducing the inflammation.

5. Drink a lot of water. Re-hydrating your body throughout the day will help you cool down and relieve you of the allergic symptoms.

6. Stay away from dairy products. As much as they are really enjoyable, dairy products will trigger your body to produce more phlegm and just worsen your symptoms.

7. When taking a shower, use the bathroom exhaust fan to prevent the growth of molds. It is also advisable to replace your shower liner every month especially when you have mold allergies or if you have asthma.

8. Make sure to regularly clean the dryer vents which often accumulate dust. Regular cleaning of surfaces in your house will help decrease allergic reactions. Getting rid of clutter is also another key to prevent seasonal allergy.

9. Consult your doctor so you can be tested for any food allergies. Most often than not, people who have allergies are also sensitive to some foods that they usually take. Some people who are allergic to birch pollen, for example, also react to potatoes, carrots, and apples. Ragweed allergy is also aggravated if you do not react well to a glass of milk.

10. Get an air purifier good enough to filter particles which are about 20 microns or smaller. Pollens and allergens are about that big so making sure that you have clean air passing through your system will be a big help. Running the air conditioner just to decrease humidity may also reduce allergy symptoms.

Every allergic reaction stresses our immune system. Find out what allergens cause you trouble so you can avoid them, modify your lifestyle, and protect yourself from these seasonal allergies.

Cases of seasonal allergic rhinitis shoot up in mid-August when ragweed allergy season begins. There are about 36 million people in the United States suffering from allergic reactions caused by billions of pollen in the air, traveling for hundreds of miles.

There might not really be cure for allergies but there are a lot of medications which you can buy over the counter or have prescribed by your doctor, which can help control your allergy symptoms. Annoying allergic rhinitis symptoms like sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, nasal congestion, and throat irritation can be handled well with antihistamines, prescription nasal sprays, allergy shots or other medicine combinations.  

The best way to control one’s allergies is by knowing one’s allergy triggers. In most cases though, we don’t have a clue at all. Here are some of the best treatments to consider for your seasonal allergy:

Antihistamines

You can get antihistamines in all forms. There are tablets, capsules, or liquid which you can take orally to help control the allergic reaction and symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and itchy nose.  There are also topical anti-histamines in the form of eye drops and nasal sprays which can give the same benefit. Some of these drugs may cause drowsiness.  Precaution should be taken when driving, using dangerous machinery or equipment; or engage in any activity which requires full concentration.  

The doctor will be able to guide you on the dosage of the medication.

Decongestants and Nasal Sprays

You can ask your doctor if decongestants can help you control the nasal or sinus congestion caused by ragweed-induced allergic rhinitis. Decongestants can help unclog your stuffy nose and relieve sinus pressure and provide relief of these annoying symptoms.

Decongestants are available in different forms.  Oral decongestant tablets, capsules or liquid can be obtained over the counter. You should be aware that side-effects of these medications can include tremors, irritability, insomnia, palpitations, or can aggravate high blood pressure.  Topical decongestant nasal sprays are also available over the counter however precaution should be taken since these can cause “rebound nasal congestion” once the nose gets ”addicted” to the decongestant nasal spray.

Other medications, including steroids, anticholinergics, and antihistamines, can be delivered via a nasal spray to help control the symptoms caused by the allergic rhinitis.  Intranasal steroids help control the inflammation in the nasal membranes induced by the allergic reaction.  Anticholinergic agents help control the profuse nasal secretions that cause the runny nose and post-nasal drip, and antihistamines block histamine which causes the sneezing, itching and runny nose.  

Allergy Shots

Allergen immunotherapy, also called allergy shots, help people increase their tolerance to different allergens. These shots are often given to people who suffer from moderate to severe allergic reactions not controlled despite taking multiple medications, symptomatic more than three months in a year, or when in situation where the allergen exposure is totally unavoidable. Allergy shots do not cure you from the allergies symptoms but help your body tolerate exposure to allergens like ragweed pollen. The times you will get the shot and the dosage will depend on the severity of your allergies. Make sure that you report any discomfort or shortness of breath to your allergist so they give you the appropriate dosage.