5 effective ways to defeat allergies
Don't let allergies ruin the season for you
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With true spring not far off, and that means allergy sufferers will soon be struggling with the symptoms of their seasonal bane.
And, depending on what kind of allergies they suffer from, there may still be more to come as the summer rolls in and the various stages of allergies kick in.
Though allergies are a fact of life, there are always ways to fight the symptoms, or at least minimize their onset.
RELATED: Check the Allergy Outlook before heading out the door
Here are five tips.
CLEAN REGULARLY
Though keeping the windows closed and relying on AC and filters will help, allergens will certainly get in your home, but that doesn’t have to be the last word.
Cleaning your home regularly, especially the bedroom, can cut down the amount of allergens that accumulate. That means keeping cluttered surfaces clear for easier dusting, regular vacuuming, and other means of minimizing your exposure while at home.
TAKE YOUR MEDICATION BEFORE ALLERGIES START
By now, you likely not only know what kind of allergies you have, but also when to expect them to be at their worst.
That’s no reason to watch the calendar with dread. Rather, use that knowledge to figure out the right timing to take your medicine in advance, BEFORE the season really gets going. Starting your medication two to three weeks before the peak of the allergy season can go a long way to taking the edge off the symptoms before hitting peak pollen.
CHANGE YOUR DIET
There’s another way to prepare your body for the pollen onslaught before it arrives, and even during: Eat up!
Recent research suggests certain kinds of foods can shore up your immune system, particularly those rich in probiotics, vitamin D, omega-3 acids and antioxidants, so modifying your diet is a good bet.
Here’s a more in-depth look at which foods you ought to seek out to fight your allergies.
WATER IS YOUR FRIEND
Any doctor will tell you to always keep hydrated. It’s never bad advice, and it can be a real boon for allergy sufferers.
In fact, there are many ways that water can help you cope. For a start, drinking plenty of water can cut down the inflammatory response to allergens, and you can help even more by investing in a humidifier in your home, that you can run at night time in the bedroom.
If it gets really bad, studies have shown that nasal irrigation, using a neti pot or nasal spray to irrigate your sinuses, can be effective as well.
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ASK YOUR PHARMACIST
Allergies can be complicated, and there’s a lot of options out there for medication. It can be hard to decide which one would be best for you.
That’s where your pharmacist comes in. They’ve been dealing with allergy sufferers every season for as long as they’ve been behind that counter, and are the best resource for picking the right treatment. Never be afraid to ask them for help.
