Tips and treatments you can do on your own

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Allergy season is getting worse every year. Climate change, increased carbon dioxide emissions, and urban planning are major culprits. While it will take time (and policy change) to impact these causes, you can do more than just sit back and suffer. There are many ways to lessen your exposure to allergens and reduce your allergy symptoms on your own.

To better understand seasonal allergies, let’s talk about what causes these symptoms in the first place. Our immune system has five main pathways to protect our bodies from invaders. One pathway uses an immunoglobulin called IgE. When your body encounters an allergen, it releases IgE, which then sets off an immune response causing sneezing, itching, watery eyes, congestion, cough, and other types of inflammation. The goal of IgE is to get invaders out of your body, but, in the case of allergens, it causes an overreaction to something that won’t actually hurt it.

In the spring, the most common allergens are pollens from trees and grasses. Pollen is airborne and primarily outdoors so it follows that the most obvious way to reduce spring allergy symptoms is to avoid breathing in pollen. Spending more time indoors during allergy season is one way to protect yourself. Allergy sufferers can also step outside donning a mask, now that mask-wearing is more socially acceptable.

Don’t assume that just because pollen is made outside it will stay there. You can inadvertently allow it in by opening windows and doors and bringing pollen-bearing flowers and plants home (think lilies). Pets can also track pollen, so rinsing or brushing them off before allowing them back inside is important. Your clothes can carry pollen too. If you work or spend a lot of time outdoors, drop your clothes and shoes at the door before coming in.

Indoor HEPA air filters are a great way to clean the air. They work by forcing air through a dense mesh to trap allergens. Since they have to pull in the air to clean it, you’ll need one for each room in your home. If that’s too cost-prohibitive, get one for your bedroom, since that’s where you probably spend the most time. You have to also remember to clean the filters every month.

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If avoidance isn’t enough, there are a number of non-pharmaceutical treatments you can try. Even though these are considered natural treatments, that doesn’t mean they are safe for everyone. Speak to your doctor before trying anything and read the labels.

• Rinse out your sinuses with saline–Your nose is your personal filter that also warms and humidifies outside air. Sinus rinses clear out your “filters.” They work best when you aren’t already completely blocked up so the rinse has somewhere to go. There are many over-the-counter kits or you can try a neti pot.
• Get acupuncture–Acupuncture works wonders on inflammation. Some people get better after one session, but most have to go on a regular basis, sometimes several times a week.
• Use ready-made nasal sprays that contain natural additives that cleanse the sinuses: Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol found in products like XClear. Oregano oil–is found in products like SinuOrega. It is strong, so you may feel a burn when you use it.
• Take anti-inflammatory supplements like Quercetin (a plant pigment found in many plants and vegetables), Bromelain (an enzyme found in pineapples), Omega 3 (oil found in many fish and flaxseed), Arnica (an herb, toxic if eaten, but can be used in tiny, homeopathic doses).
• Make sure you are not Vitamin D deficient. Work with your doctor to check your levels. If you are deficient, take oral supplements. Keep in mind that vitamin D is fat-soluble, which means you can take too much.

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If your symptoms continue despite all other efforts, there are always medications. Many allergy medicines are over the counter, but they come in a lot of different preparations. I’ve spent hours in the cold and allergy section of my local drugstore trying to decipher what each box contains, and it’s confusing. In truth, most preparations contain the same 4–5 ingredients in different doses and combinations. Before you buy a medication based on its promises, check for active ingredients. You may not need all of the medicines listed so you can opt for specific treatments. You can also end up taking too much of the same thing. Here are the most common categories of active ingredients and what they do.

Antihistamines

• Prevent the release of histamine
• Examples are loratadine, diphenhydramine, cetirizine, fexofenadine
• Work best if taken beforeexposure to allergens but can also help whenever you take them. Some can make you feel sleepy, so it’s best to take them nightly.

Decongestants

• Vasoconstrict (squeeze down) blood vessels to reduce swelling
• Examples are pseudoephedrine, oxymetazoline, neo synephrine
• Available in pills or sprays. The pills can act as a stimulant and the sprays can cause rebound swelling if used for more than a few days at a time. These are potent medicines and should be used sparingly for bad symptoms, not all the time.

Expectorants

• Thin mucus
• Examples are dextromethorphan and guaifenesin
• Best used for a cough or to thin out thick mucus and should be taken with a lot of water.

Antiinflammatories

• Decrease generalized inflammation
• Examples are aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen
• Many OTC cold and allergy preparations contain acetaminophen, so make sure you don’t take too much or it can hurt your liver

Steroids

• Decrease inflammation
• Examples are fluticasone nasal spray
• These work best if you use them daily for at least a week, but they can also thin the lining of your nose, causing nose bleeds.

This list is not comprehensive, but it can at least get you started. If your allergies are very severe, you may need to visit your doctor for stronger treatments or allergy shots. Happy Spring!