If you feel like you’re always sick around certain times of the year, you may have seasonal allergies. Seasonal allergies can cause unpleasant symptoms such as a runny and stuffy nose, itchy and watery eyes, headaches, sinus pressure, sore throat, cough, fatigue, and more. Pollen and mold are the most common culprits that cause seasonal allergies. If you don’t want to suffer all season long, follow these tips on how to treat seasonal allergies to get much-needed relief.
1. Avoid Your Triggers
If you want to know how to treat seasonal allergies, one of the best places to start is understanding and avoiding your allergy triggers. For many people, pollen and mold are allergens that cause immune responses. If you are allergic to pollen or mold, pay attention to weather and news reports so you can monitor their activity. Try to avoid spending time outdoors on days when pollen or mold counts are high. Keep windows and doors closed at home and in your car to limit exposure to allergens, and make sure you take a shower and change your clothes as soon as you get home.
2. Rinse Your Sinuses
One of the most effective methods for how to treat seasonal allergies is doing sinus rinses. Rinse your sinuses with a saline solution to remove allergens from your nasal passages and flush out excess mucus. This will reduce nasal congestion, sinus pressure, post-nasal drip, and other symptoms caused by an excess of mucus. You can purchase a sinus irrigation kit like a neti pot or nasal bulb from the pharmacy. If you need to make a saline solution at home, use warm, sterile water mixed with half a teaspoon of salt and a pinch of baking soda. Lean over the sink and flush your sinuses one nostril at a time.
3. Breathe In Steam
Steam inhalation is a great way to treat seasonal allergies. Breathing in steam adds extra moisture to your nasal passages which can help thin and loosen mucus, reducing congestion and inflammation. Run a hot bath or shower and sit in the bathroom with the door closed so you can breathe in the steamy air. An alternate method is to fill a bowl with hot water and lean your face over it with a towel over your head. This traps the steam from the water so you can breathe it in. You can also add extra moisture to the air using a humidifier to help soothe your sinuses.
4. Eat Honey
If you are wondering how to treat seasonal allergies, honey may be the answer. This natural remedy has been used for centuries to reduce irritation and inflammation in the throat, which can help relieve a cough or sore throat. There is also a popular theory that suggests consuming locally produced honey may help reduce seasonal allergies. According to this theory, eating honey produced by bees from local plants can expose your body to nearby pollen and desensitize you to it.
5. Drink Herbal Tea
When you’re not feeling well, staying hydrated is essential. Drinking extra fluids helps thin the mucus in your nasal passages, providing some relief from congestion and post-nasal drip. Warm liquids like tea have additional benefits, as the temperature can help soothe irritation and inflammation while the steam adds moisture to your sinuses. Opting for herbal teas can provide natural allergy relief as well. For example, green tea contains quercetin, a natural antihistamine. Teas containing chamomile, nettle, and peppermint can also help relieve allergy symptoms.
6. Try Over-the-Counter Medications
There are a number of over-the-counter medications you can take to treat seasonal allergies. These include antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays, and eye drops. Some of the most popular over-the-counter medications include Claritin, Allegra, Zyrtec, Flonase, and Nasacort. You can also take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help relieve facial pain and headaches caused by sinus pressure.
7. Take Supplements
If you want to know how to treat seasonal allergies, a great thing to do is take supplements that support your immune system and regulate its histamine response. Look for products like Aller-Essentials and AllerDHQ that contain beneficial ingredients such as vitamin C, quercetin, stinging nettle, bromelain, Indian tinospora, dihydroquercetin, and others. These vitamins and nutrients support healthy immune and nasal function as well as help regulate histamine responses brought on by environmental factors.
How to Prepare for Allergy Season
Now you know some of the best tips on how to treat seasonal allergies. Before your allergy symptoms start, take proactive steps so you can be prepared this allergy season. Check out these top ways to prepare for allergy season so you can survive the season without feeling miserable
