Coping With Springtime Allergies
If you're anything like me you've been waiting for spring since, well...since the last day of summer to be quite honest. The days are finally getting longer, the tree's are budding and the flowers are popping up everywhere in a beautiful array of colours. Unfortunately that also means allergies for some of us.
Thankfully there are a few things you can do to feel better.
- If you have any open windows on high pollen/allergy days close them and turn on your air purifier.
- Keep your house clean and stay away from chemicals, products or scents that can potentially add to your symptoms.
- Keep hydrated.
- Eating well can have a significant affect on how you feel. So eat anti-oxidant rich fruit and veggies as well as a good Multivitamin to help your immune system.
- Eliminate foods that cause inflammation.(ex. processed food, sugar, high fat and trans fats.)
- Remember to take your Vitamin C. It helps boost your immune system and it helps prevent histamine formation. Vitamin C is best taken in smaller doses through the day to get the best absorption.
- Taking Probiotics can help boost your immune system and help reduce symptom severity.
- Fish oils (DHA/EPA) is another option that can offer some ant-inflammatory effects.
- The antioxidant Quercetin is a histamine inhibitor with anti-viral compounds that can be taken as a supplement. It can also be found in green tea, berries, red wine and many other fruits and vegetables. It's most effective when taken with Vitamin C.
- Elderberry is a antioxidant that can be found as a supplement, syrup or tea. I use the tea when my allergies are bad as it helps to sooth, reduce inflammation and congestion.
Here are some of the options available for over the counter or by prescription.
First generation antihistamines include:
- Clemastine (tavist)
- Chlorpheniramine/Chlorphenamine/Chlorpheniramine Maleate (Clor-Trimeton, Clor-Tripolon, Diabetic Tussin,...)
- Brompheniramine (Dimetane, Respa-BR)
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Nytol, PediaCare, Children's Allergy)
Second generation antihistamines include:
- Cetirizine (Zyrtec, 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)
Eye drops are another option you can take to help relieve your symptoms. The non prescription eye drops include antihistamine and decongestant or a combination of these that can help relieve itchy, watery, red eyes. Just make sure to follow the instructions carefully since over use can have a rebound affect.
Examples: Naphazoline (Clear Eyes), Tetrahydrozoline (Visine) , Claritin Eye Allergy Relief , Bausch & Lomb Allergy Relief, ...
Non prescription nasal sprays are another option to help relieve congestion. Again it's important not to over use nasal sprays because they too can have rebound effects just like eye drops.
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. Some brands will contain more dyes and fillers than others so if you're sensitive to any of these non medicinal ingredients (like I am) it's something to take note of.
Sources:
medicinenet.com
medscape.com
healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/hw121413
chatelaine.com/health/six-supplement-to-help-you-beat-allergy-season
rxlist.com/allergy_medications/drugs-condition.htm
alive.com/health/7-natural-treatments-for-seasonal-allergies/
webmd.com/allergies/allergy-education-17/slideshow-natural-relief
https://www.tea-and-coffee.com/blog/benefits-of-elderberry-tea#:~:text=Packed%20with%20anti%2Dinflammatory%20properties,relieving%20congestion%20and%20reducing%20fever.
https://www.webmd.com/diet/elderberry-tea-is-it-good-for-you
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