Seasonal allergies: an ounce of prevention
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." ~ Benjamin Franklin
The first line of defense against allergy attacks is understanding that allergy symptoms are the body's natural response to external irritation. So the #1 step in managing allergies naturally is to, as much as possible, limit exposure to allergens in your environment.
Learn what your particular allergens are. It helps to know WHAT you are allergic to. Your allergist, naturopath, or integrative doctor can help you identify the specific culprits and help you come up with a reasonable plan using natural methods first to reduce exposure and minimize symptoms. This article can provide a better understanding of how a holistic doctor may handle allergies. To find an integrative medicine doctor specializing in allergies, search: American Holistic Medicine Association, American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine, or American College for Advancement in Medicine.
Be informed. Once you've identified them, know when your allergens are at their peak, which days may be most stressful to your system, and limit your time outdoors or prolonged exposure on those days when possible. Pollen.com is an amazing repository of information on pollen. Check out the library for known allergens by season. For auto-notification on the status of allergic conditions in your area, sign up to have the Allergy Alert email delivered directly to your email inbox.
Remember that the pollen count is usually highest during the morning and evening hours, and lower in the afternoon. At these times and on windy days, keep home and car windows closed and use an air conditioner if it's hot. Granted, it's not the greenest solution but you may decide it's a better option than suffering through symptoms or dealing with the side effects of medications.
Minimize the spread. Pollen collects on outdoor surfaces including mailboxes, water hoses, fences, trash cans and car door handles. Here's a few tips to keep in mind when coming indoors:
Remove shoes at the door to avoid tracking pollen into the house.
If your pets go outdoors, you may want to wipe them down before they come back in.
If you've been outdoors for a while, especially on breezy days, showering upon your return home helps to remove pollen particles from hair and skin.
Change clothes before sitting on furniture or bedding.
At the least, avoid touching your eyes and face while out, then be sure to wash your face and hands and cleanse your nose once you're indoors again.
Consider replacing your lawn, if you have grass allergies, with a rock garden or or veggies or plants with lower pollen release.
Thomas Leo Ogren has written two fabulous books on the subject of allergy-free gardening ...
Finally, pray for rain! Seriously, rain cleanses the atmosphere. It's like a natural atmospheric do-over.
Did you know?
If your green thumb leads to a red nose, coughing and swollen eyes, learning a bit more about plants and the amount of pollen they release may be helpful. According to The National Gardening Association, "As a general guideline for allergy sufferers, colorful showy flowers, which are pollinated by insects and birds, produce less pollen than non-descript flowers (such as the long, narrow catkins on many trees), which are wind pollinated. Pollen blown about by wind is smaller, lighter and more likely to end up in our nostrils. The pollen that insects favor is usually heavier, stickier and less likely to move from the plant (unless it is on the back of a bee)". Think about it!