What comes around every year and has your sinus going haywire?
Seasonal allergies, of course.
Whether you have watery eyes, runny nose, dry cough or itchy skin, allergies can run differently for so many.
10 tips to Holistically Alleviate Allergy Symptoms:
Use a saline nose spray or a rinse (such as Neti Pot) to help clear out pollens and keep the nasal cavity from becoming dry and irritated.
If your throat tends to become dry or irritated during allergy season, gargle with warm salt water 1-2x a day.
Use eye drops (preservative free at best) throughout the day to help soothe dry, itchy and red eyes.
If you’re allergic to outdoor pollens, keep the windows closed and invest in an air purifier to help purify and cleanse indoor air. You can find inexpensive ones online starting at $80 for a standard room. If you’re allergic to indoor allergies such as mold and dust, keep the windows open for a few hours at a time to circulate fresh air.
Dust, vacuum and wet mop your home often to eliminate sitting dust and particles that are swept inside from the front door.
Wash your bed sheets once a week. Pollen can stick onto the skin and if you don’t shower before getting into bed, they can transfer to your bed. Dust also easily collects onto bed sheets, so regularly washing sheets is a great way to limit exposure.
With that, shower when you get home. Showering will clean your skin of any tagalong allergens and the steam from the shower will help clear your sinuses and give you immediate relief.
Remove your shoes upon arriving home and if you have any pets that spend time outdoors, make sure to wipe their paws before coming into the house. Pollen can stick onto their paws too.
Sweat! Sweating is one of your bodies natural ways of excreting toxins.
Limit intake of high histamine foods and incorporate low histamine foods, to help improve symptoms.
Multiple studies have shown that limiting the intake of histamine containing foods before and during peak allergy season, can greatly improve symptoms.
LIMIT your intake of these high histamine foods:
Aged cheeses (parmesan, cheddar, gouda, swiss)
Fermented foods and beverages
Processed meats (bacon, sausage, pepperoni)
Alcoholic beverages
Egg whites
Tea
Soy
Nuts such as walnuts, cashews and peanuts
Frozen and smoked fish
Shellfish
Canned fish
Certain fruits such as strawberries, cherries, citrus
Certain vegetables such as spinach, tomatoes and eggplant
Spices and condiments such as cinnamon, chili powder, ketchup and vinegar
Chocolate
INCREASE your intake of these low histamine foods:
Gluten free grains such as quinoa, millet, amaranth and brown rice
Legumes
Starchy vegetables such as sweet potato, yam and squash
Fresh meat and fish
Nut based milks
Hemp, flax and chia seeds
Olive and coconut oil
Egg yolks
Herbal teas
Fruits such as apples, pomegranates, grapes, cherries, pears, plums, peaches, cantaloupe, watermelon and kiwi
Vegetables such as arugula, artichokes, broccoli, carrots, onions, peppers, cucumbers, spaghetti squash
Fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, oregano, rosemary, cilantro, thyme
Carob