The snow has melted, the buds are budding, the birds are singing, the days are getting longer… and you’ve never been so miserable! Runny nose, incessant sneezing, itchy throat, watery eyes, splitting head… it’s spring allergy season!
What is an allergy?
Pollen found in trees is one of the main triggers of spring allergy symptoms. Trees, which are dormant during the winter, come back to life in the spring, with renewed intensity and redoubled vigor .Unfortunately, dear humans, we find ourselves caught in the crossfire. For many of us, our immune system reacts to pollen that it perceives as harmful to our body and releases chemicals, mainly histamine. In fact, it is histamine that is responsible for most allergy symptoms.
Fortunately, there are several over-the-counter allergy medications available to help relieve allergy symptoms and help us get through this difficult time of year. There are also several tips to help us cope with the often inevitable spring allergies!
Ways to Prepare for Allergy Season
Load up on antioxidants. That’s because antioxidants can help reduce inflammation that surfaces during allergic reactions. Fruits (especially strawberries, raspberries, cherries, and cranberries), vegetables (especially Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and spinach), turmeric, fish (especially bluefin tuna, salmon, shrimp, and mackerel), and even dark chocolate are exceptionally high in antioxidants.
Check the pollen forecast. Pollen counts and where they come from vary from day to day and from region to region. Be prepared by checking the pollen forecast or air quality indexes for your area online. Also refer to the pollen calendar below for Eastern Canada.
Prepare your allergy arsenal. It’s time to plan ahead and equip yourself. Review the allergy medications you have at home, if applicable. Be sure to check expiration dates and replenish your medicine cabinet if necessary. And don’t forget to stock up on tissues; they are our best friends during seasonal allergy season!
Get a head start on your garden. Even though it’s still a little early in the season to plant vegetables, at least clean up your garden as soon as possible, before peak allergy season hits. Remove dead plants and leaves to reduce mold.
Don’t forget about natural antihistamines. This medication blocks the action of histamine and helps calm allergy symptoms. It is found, of course, in over-the-counter allergy medications, but antihistamines are also found in natural foods, including nettle leaf tea and green tea. Quercetin, which is particularly found in capers, is also a formidable antihistamine. Nature may give us allergies, but it also offers us cures!
Ways to Live with Seasonal Allergies
Close the windows. Whether you are at home or in the car, on hot days when pollen levels are high, keep windows and doors closed and use air conditioning instead.Avoid the clothesline. There’s just about nothing that smells better than sun-dried sheets. Unfortunately, that sweet scent is usually accompanied by our enemy, pollen. So it’s recommended that you avoid drying clothes or sheets on the clothesline during peak allergy season.Don’t mow the lawn. Now you have a good reason to delegate this task to someone else! Pollen settles everywhere on the lawn; by mowing it, you will inevitably find yourself in a whirlwind of pollen that will only exacerbate your allergic reactions.Wash, wash, wash. After spending time outdoors, remember to wash your hands or take a shower to remove pollen. If necessary, put your clothes in the wash.Wear sunglasses. Give your eyes a little shield against pollen when you’re outside. You can also opt for a hat to avoid getting pollen in your hair.
Although seasonal allergies are usually temporary and fairly harmless, they can be unpleasant. So it’s important to be prepared to face them! Although it’s usually not necessary to see a doctor, don’t hesitate to talk to your local pharmacist for additional advice. We also remind you that with the Bonjour-santé subscription , you have unlimited access to teleconsultations with our teams of nurses and pharmacists who can advise you without you having to leave home!