5 Ways To Relieve Summer Allergies Naturally
Once you know the different kinds of allergies that can occur in summertime, and what their symptoms are, it’s important to start tackling the reactions straight away. Here are five natural ways to relieve (or avoid) summer allergies.
Eat Anti Inflammatory Foods.
Due to the fact that allergies are connected to inflammation (usually of the nose) it’s important to target this with anti inflammatories. We recommend trying the natural route. This means adding foods to your diet that contain natural anti inflammatories.
These include:
Root veg (think carrots, sweet potatoes etc.).
Tropical fruits (pineapple, mango).
Avocados.
Fish.
Berries.
Most of these foods contain beta-carotene which is known for keeping lungs healthy.
Photo by Peter Wendt on Unsplash
2) Natural Anti Histamine
Ever heard of stinging nettles? You’ve more than likely encountered the name after you’ve suffered the stinging sensation they inflict when they come into contact with your unsuspecting skin. They can be a pain, causing a terrible sting and itchiness. However, they do have a good use when it comes to summer allergies. Stinging nettles are a natural antihistamine! It is the production of histamine in the body that causes allergic reactions like watery eyes, coughing and sneezing. The leaves of the stinging nettle plant also contain histamine, which may sound counterproductive, but if taken when the allergy first occurs it helps in reducing symptoms.
3) Keep Away from Pets
Sounds harsh, but if you’re suffering from allergic reactions in the summer, it’s more than likely your pets are making it worse. This can happen in two ways. The first, your pet produces dander (dead skin flakes) which when breathed in can cause hay fever like symptoms. If you’re already suffering, you can see why this will make things worse. Secondly, if your pets go outside a lot during the summer, you risk them bringing pollen back into the house with them, also a factor that is going to worsen your allergies.
Your options are to set your pet up outside with a comfy bed to avoid you and yours breathing in their dander, or if you let your pets in and out of the house, ensure they get a good wash with a damp cloth (or a full on bath if there’s time) to remove pollen before interacting with the family.
Photo by Anusha Barwa on Unsplash
4) Avoid Pollen
Sometimes if we want to take a more natural route to help keep summer allergy symptoms at bay, it’s important to make some changes to our lifestyle…
There will be days during the summer that the pollen count will be very high. It is possible to check the level of pollen in the air here. If you have any outdoor activities planned, take a look at the pollen count first. If you or a family member suffer from summer allergies it’s best to avoid activities like cutting the grass on days when the pollen count is already going to be high. It’s also recommended going outdoors after a rain shower as rain is a natural means of getting rid of some of the pollen in the atmosphere.
5) Spring Clean
Well, we’re technically talking summer allergies here so perhaps “summer clean” is more appropriate. Either way, ensuring your home is kept clean can help reduce allergies during the summer. Make sure your hoover bag is emptied regularly to ensure it’s cleaning effectively. Dust often to prevent reactions. Ensure your bins are taken out to avoid insects entering the house. Wash bed sheets and clothing items in hot water to kill dust mites and other small parasites. It might seem extreme but summer allergies can often put a dampener on the nice weather, so if the symptoms can be alleviated naturally it’s worth a try!
Photo by Volha Flaxeco on Unsplash