Spring Time And Allergies

You've waited so long and now it's finally here, Spring!
Depending on where you live you can finally put away the heavy sweaters and experience some warmer weather. The tree's are budding and the flowers are beginning to pop up everywhere. Unfortunately that also means it's the time of year for some of those allergies to appear, making you feel down right miserable.

Allergies making you feel miserable?

Thankfully there area some things you can do right now to help cope with those tough allergy or high pollen days.

• Close the windows on high pollen/allergy days and turn on your air purifier. (I'm an outdoor person in warm weather so this is a hard one for me.)
• Change your clothes if you've been outside, you might even have a quick shower to get rid of any allergens.
• Keep your house as clean as possible (sorry dust bunnies) and stay away from chemicals that may just add to your problems.
• Drink plenty of water and keep hydrated.
• Eating well can have a significant affect on how you feel. 
• So all the more reason to enjoying all those fruits and veggies that will increase anti-oxidant levels in your body which in turn will help your immune system.  For example the Plant Sterols found in grains, nuts, vegetables and fruits help regulate your  immune system and reduce levels of cortisol "stress hormone". 
• Eliminate as many foods as you can that cause inflammation such as sugar, high fat foods, trans fats, and processed foods.
• Take your Vitamin C. It not only helps boost your suffering immune system it actually prevents histamine formation. Vitamin C is one of those vitamins that's best taken in smaller doses through the day to get the best absorption. Depending on your tolerance level 2000-6000 mg per day maximum is quite safe. (I usually take about 2500-3500 mg per day depending on my allergies.)
• Probiotics are another option to help boost your immune system and help reduce the severity of allergies.
• A good Multivitamin will always help to support your immune system and if you are able to take them Fish oils (DHA/EPA) can offer some ant-inflammatory help too.
• The antioxidant Quercetin is not only a histamine inhibitor but it also actually has anti-viral compounds. It's found in supplements and naturally in green tea, berries, red wine and many other fruits and vegetables. It's best taken with Vitamin C to be most effective.

I've taken allergy medication most of my life, ironically even having allergic reactions to the allergy medications that were supposed to help.  There's nothing like feeling even worse when you're actually trying to feel better.

There are quite a few option for over the counter medications (OTC) so if you're not sure have a talk with your doctor and or Pharmacist. They are there to help you find the best option for your needs.

Here are a few of those options that are available over the counter or by prescription.

First generation antihistamines include products such as:

•  Brompheniramine  (Dimetane, Respa-BR)  
•  Clemastine (tavist) 
•  Chlorpheniramine   (Clor-Trimeton, Clor-Tripolon, Diabetic Tussin)
•  Diphenhydramine   (Benadryl, Childrens Benadryl  Allergy, Nytol, PediaCare, Children's Allergy)

Second generation antihistamines include products such as:

• Cetirizine   (Zyrtec, Zyrtec Allergy, Children's Zyrtec Allergy, Pediacare Children's 24 Hour Allergy)
• Fexofenadine  (Allegra, Children's Allegra  Allergy, Mucinex Allergy)  
• Loratadine  (Claritin, QlearQuil All Day & Night 24 Hour Allergy Relief, Alavert)

If you are like me eye drops are a must this time of year.  Non prescription eye drops include antihistamine and decongestant or a combination of the two that can help relieve your itchy, watery, red eyes.  Just make sure to follow the instructions carefully since over use can have a rebound affect.

Some examples of these products include:

•  Naphazoline (Clear Eyes) 
• Tetrahydrozoline (Visine) 
• Claritin Eye Allergy Relief
• Bausch & Lomb Allergy Relief, ...

Non prescription nasal sprays are another option to help relieve allergy congestion.  Again it's important not to over use nasal sprays because they can also have a rebound effect just like the eye drops.

Some examples of these products include:

• Nasacort 
• Flonase
• Rhinocort
• Claritin
• Otrivin 

There are lots of options and brands available so please talk to your pharmacist so they can help find what will work best for you and your specific needs.  Hopefully you will be able to find some much needed relief.

Sources:    
medscape.com
medicinenet.com

rxlist.com/allergy_medications/drugs-condition.htm

healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/hw121413
chatelaine.com/health/six-supplement-to-help-you-beat-allergy-season

alive.com/health/7-natural-treatments-for-seasonal-allergies/

webmd.com/allergies/allergy-education-17/slideshow-natural-relief