Allergy Season

Written by Lauren Buser. Media by Baylen Whitfield. [divide]

Spring has sprung… well, almost! That means allergy season is just around the corner. You may be used to taking regular medication or using nose spray, however, there are so many other remedies for allergy season!

Allergy Drugs

There are countless over the counter allergy drugs. This can be confusing, especially when many look similar. So, which one do you choose? There are two main categories to look for: Antihistamines and decongestants. An antihistamine helps with sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and a runny nose. A decongestant helps to open your nasal passages and helps relieve sinus pressure. Most decongestants help you get back on your feet quickly. While you may find it efficient to use a nasal spray, it actually takes two to three weeks for them to start fully working. Eye drops are another choice that will help with quick relief and results.

Home Remedies

Let’s talk about easy fixes! Handling allergies doesn’t have to be hard if you do your research. First off, green tea is a natural allergy aid. Drinking two cups a day, consistently, for two weeks can help prevent the congestion from allergies. Another interesting remedy is licorice root, which is similar to the natural supplement St. John’s Wort. It increases the natural steroids in your body to give you the immunity to kick spring’s butt. However, be careful! There are some side-effects and potential allergic reactions with licorice root.

Change Your Diet

            Believe it or not, what you eat can change how your allergies affect you. Certain seasonings such as cayenne pepper and hot ginger can open up your nasal passages. It’s probably something you haven’t thought about much before, but that is why your nose runs when you eat spicy foods! There are also foods, such as dried fruits and some cheeses, that can cause your nasal passages to swell up.

Other Ideas

• Acupuncture can help after one session, but usually, it takes about 12 sessions to work.
• Use nasal rinses such as the Neti Pot. These devices rinse your clogged nasal passages of all pollens and allergens.
• Go to the doctor and get a scratch test to decide exactly what it is you’re allergic to. This will help you to determine what other precautions you can take.
• Dust and vacuum more than once a week in order to keep pollens and dust out of the house.
• Purchase hypoallergenic covers for your pillows and mattresses to help prevent dust mites and pollens from getting into them and bothering you while you sleep.