Tips for dealing with seasonal allergies!

Are you suffering from watery eyes, sneezing, itchy throat and/or a runny nose?? 

If yes - you might have seasonal allergies BC spring allergy season is in full effect right now!  For more information on allergies check out my article here.

Allergies are caused when our body comes in contact with an allergen. Allergens are the specific things that you are allergic to and can include pollen, dust, grass, ragweed, certain fruits, nuts, etc. There are some people who are even allergic to water! Can you believe that and how hard life must me????? 

True story, check it out here: http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2015/10/what-its-like-to-be-allergic-to-water.html

Seasonal allergies are allergies that occur during a specific time of the year (due to the abundance of certain allergens during certain times of the year). For example - seasonal allergies are the worst during the Springtime due to a high level of allergens like pollen in the air (its the consequence of having so many pretty flowers in the trees, parks, etc.).

Here are some tips to help you get through the day:

-Limit your time outdoors - especially around trees, grass, flowers (that's where most allergens are located)

-If you know you have terrible allergies, you can even look at the allergy forecast (which tells you how much allergen is present on a specific day). This will help you limit your time outdoors on certain days where your exposure to certain allergans is highest (its sort of like how you check the weather & prepare for rain, snow, etc)...accuweather.com does this!

-Remove your coat and change your clothing once you enter the home. This is important to do because your clothes are covered by allergens from the outside world (that are not visible to the naked eye)

-Take a nice hot shower as soon as you go home - the steam will clear your nasal passages (if you are congested) and the shower will wash away all the allergens covering your skin and body

-Wash your face and hands through the day to clean your skin of allergens.. if the allergens are off your body, it's less likely to bother you

-If your eyes are watering or itching, wash your eyes out with clean water

-If your nasal congestion is terrible you can try saline nasal sprays from the drug store (commonly called "nasal mist" and you don't need a prescription)

-If your watery, itchy eyes are bothersome try eye drops for allergy that typically contain an antihistamine (also available without a prescription)

-I love breathing in steam from boiled water to help clear out my nasal passages, especially when I add in some eucalyptus oils or menthol! Its really soothing and makes for a great facial :) (I will blog on how to do this tomorrow)!

- Use portable air filters with HEPA (High-efficiency Particulate Air) filters in your home to help clean the air of allergens so that you breathe in the cleanest air possible

-If you really are suffering and the above does not work - you can buy decongestants like Zyrtec or Claritin at any drug store without a prescription (warning -- these can make you drowsy!)

-If you have tried all the above, have bad rashes from allergies, worsening asthma, or difficulty with breathing during the season, you should visit an allergist (a specialist in allergies) 

Do you have any tips that you use?? 

Hope this helps you through the season! Good luck!

Please feel free to ask any questions & ask/follow me @Doctor_Deena on Twitter or Instagram :)

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