Seasonal Allergies

Are Your Allergies Acting up?

Nip Seasonal Allergies In The Bud

While most of us can’t wait for Spring to spring, if you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from seasonal allergies, you’re likely dreading the season. Seasonal allergies, also referred to as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, is symptomized by sneezing, congestion, a runny nose, itchy eyes, an itchy throat, headaches and other bothersome symptoms. Seasonal allergy symptoms tend to flare up when there’s a lot of pollen in the air but can also be caused by mold spores, which can be airborne for long periods of time during the spring, summer and fall.

To reduce your exposure to the things that trigger allergy signs and symptoms (allergens):

Stay indoors on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.
Delegate lawn mowing, weed pulling and other gardening chores that stir up allergens.
Remove clothes you’ve worn outside and shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
Don’t hang laundry outside — pollen can stick to sheets and towels.
Close doors and windows at night or any other time when pollen counts are high.
Avoid outdoor activity in the early morning when pollen counts are highest.
Keep indoor air as clean as possible by using air conditioning, dehumidifiers and HEPA filters in your vacuum cleaner. (MayoClinic.org)

OTC Meds?

Many people rely on over-the-counter medications

like decongestants, antihistamines and nasal sprays to help mitigate allergy symptoms. According to Healthline, alternative treatments that may provide relief include:

Quercetin

a flavonoid that gives fruits and vegetables color

Lactobacillus acidophilus

the “friendly” bacteria found in yogurt

Spirulina

a type of blue-green algae

Vitamin C

which has some antihistamine properties

Alternative Treatment Options

For those seeking additional non-medicine alternatives

Acupuncture can provide tremendous relief and can even help prevent or reduce typical allergy symptoms. At Restoration Health, we have found twice-weekly treatments over a period of four weeks in advance of allergy season to be highly effective in helping prevent the intensity and frequency of symptoms for our patients who suffer from seasonal allergies. But if you’re too late to prevent symptoms, we can still help you manage and reduce symptoms. Several points on the face can be used to drain the paranasal sinuses and provide immediate relief from congestion and post-nasal drip.

How does acupuncture work to reduce allergy symptoms? Almost every immune response to an allergen includes the release of cytokines, small proteins that affect the activity of cells of the immune system. The efficacy of acupuncture in allergic rhinitis and other allergic diseases, such as asthma or allergic eczema, appears to be due to the down regulation of certain proinflammatory cytokines (Hauswald/McDonald). More simply put, acupuncture helps reduce the inflammatory response and supports your body’s lung function, which in Traditional Chinese Medicine, is key to circulation of blood and “defensive Qi” that support and activate your immune defense system.