There is no other feeling like waking up in the morning and only being able to breathe from one nostril, having your throat hurt when you swallow, and/or trying to see through watery eyes. We all know what happens, but we don’t know why or how it happens. Can you avoid or improve upon this situation?
Well…
Seasonal allergies develop when the immune system overreacts to something in the environment, and it usually happens in spring or fall when plants begin to pollinate. What often triggers a reaction is tree pollen, grass, mold, and ragweed. The main reason that pollination happens from spring through fall is because the plants need to provide food for northern migrants or animals out of hibernation. This may change occasionally, as extreme weather conditions may negatively impact the pollination process.
So, is there a way to help alleviate allergies?
According to Cleveland.org, allergy immunotherapy is one way to safely help allergies get better. This is just a fancy way to say get “allergy shots” when you’re older, and there are safety measures in place so that nothing bad happens. Doctors/allergists always have medicine nearby when giving people these shots, so that an allergic reaction won’t be dangerous or cause anaphylaxis.
Allergy shots contain tiny amounts of allergens, which is the best way for your immune system to be more exposed to them. When your immune system is more exposed to an allergen, it builds resistance over time. If you don’t want to get any shots, there’s a few at-home steps you can take. Try using:
- Air conditioning in your house and car
- A humidifier to keep the indoor air dry
- Filters for forced air heating/conditioning
- A portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your bedroom.
(All at-home steps presented by mayoclinic.org.)
Allergies may not be entirely avoidable, but they can be managed and navigated.
