Easy Ways to Prepare for Spring Allergies

Who else is excited about Spring?! Nice warmer weather, sunny afternoons, and more outside adventures, but there is one issue… A LOT more allergens! Just because there are a lot more allergens in the air, doesn’t mean you should always feel miserable. Here are a few easy ways to prepare yourself for springs allergies.

What Are Allergens?

So what exactly are allergens? Well, allergens themselves are substances that can cause an allergic reaction. But even if you aren’t allergic to anything, you might still experience seasonal allergies. Why is that? Seasonal allergies are allergy symptoms that happen during certain times of the year, usually when outdoor molds release their spores, and trees, grasses and weeds release tiny pollen particles into the air.

Seasonal allergies can start at any age. Although you may not have had allergic reactions why you were a kid, in your adulthood you could start to find yourself becoming affected more and more. People can become allergic to one or more types of pollen or mold which can cause extreme cases and can drastically affect your immune system which is important to keep strong especially when undergoing breast cancer treatment.

How Can I Prepare Against Seasonal Allergies?

While you may not be able to fully avoid seasonal allergies, there are a few ways you can prepare yourself and lessen the symptoms you might normally experience helping to keep your immune system on the stronger side. Here are some easy ways to prepare…

1. Cleaning Regularly and Dusting

I love my Swiffer sweeper and duster! It not only helps me maintain my surfaces shiny clean, but since using it, I’ve noticed less allergy issues. Making sure your home is dust and pet dander free by sweeping every day could also help you stay allergy free!

2. Skin Care: Achieving Hydration

If your allergies are pretty much inevitable heres a quick tip to help you feel and look better during those harsh symptoms. Aside from the obvious dry, itchy and flaky skin. Did you know that dark under-eye shading can also be side effects of allergies?! And, ladies I don’t know about you, but I sure do hate dark circles AND having dry, itchy skin. Assuring that you are keeping your skin well hydrated by using your favorite hydrating moisturizer and eye treatment wouldn’t be such a bad idea before starting or ending your day to stay looking fresh!

3. Control your Allergies while Outdoors

Just because its allergy season, doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors all spring long. If you are planning to go outdoors for a walk with your dogs or to have a workout, planning your outings earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon would be ideal. Certain allergens such as pollen, tend to reach higher levels during midday hours or early afternoon times and making sure we avoid the peak hours could help you combat allergy season!  Also, protecting your eyes by wearing sunglasses while running your daily errands or if your just out checking your mailbox, helps in keeping allergens such as dust away from your eyes and can help avoid irritation and itching.

4. Natural Allergy Remedies: Consuming Anti-inflammatory Foods

Consuming more anti-inflammatory foods or following the anti-inflammatory diet could very well reduce common bothersome allergy symptoms. Certain anti-inflammatory foods such as apples, ginger, broccoli, kiwi, citrus fruits, onions, and even pineapples (as well as many other herbs and foods) are all known to be natural antihistamines, which block histamines and reduce the common nose and eye itching, congestion, sneezing and other sinus and allergy symptoms.

5. Talk to your Primary Care Provider about your Options

Last, but not least, talking to your primary care doctor regarding any concerning health issues such as allergies and recurrent episodes is always the best idea when aiming to control and alleviate your allergy symptoms. Ensuring that you’re closely communicating with him/her helps them become aware that there is an existent issue and can present you with options available to help treat and control your allergies.

Although we gave you a variety of tips to combat allergy season, I know there are a lot more tips and must haves out there for each of you depending on your needs and preferences. Knowing your body well and following what you’ve found that what works best should ultimately be the primary tip to follow. We’d like to know what are some of the things you all have used to stay allergy free during wonderful and beautiful, springtime?