Your Helpful Guide to Fighting Allergies

Posted on: June 11th, 2014 by Gregg Gittins

Keep allergies from springing up

For some of us, springtime is the reward for surviving a cold and dark winter. For others, the allergens that accompany the coming of spring make us wish winter could stay around a little longer! Whichever allergen it is (pollen, mold, animal dander, etc.) that sets you off, allergies can make an otherwise healthy person miserable.

At least 20% of Americans suffer from allergies that make even simple, day-to-day tasks a struggle. Allergies are essentially an abnormal response from your immune system which trigger your body to fight the incoming allergen as if it were a virus. It’s no wonder allergies can make you feel sick! But don’t worry, after reading this helpful guide, you will be better prepared than ever to keep your allergies at bay and enjoy your spring to the fullest.

Are you suffering from allergies?

When your body is exposed to an allergen, either by swallowing it, breathing it in or getting it on your skin, your system goes through a process to deal with what it thinks is a serious problem.  The immune system creates special antibodies that attach to certain blood cells, called mast cells, that are found all over the body.

Once the allergens bind to the antibodies and mast cells, chemicals known as histamines are dumped into the blood.  It is these histamines which cause the symptoms that we associate with an allergic reaction.

Look for these symptoms:

  • Sneezing
  • Watery, itchy eyes
  • Runny, itchy nose
  • Rashes
  • Hives
  • Feeling tired or ill
  • Irritability

Now that you know what causes allergies physiologically, the challenge is to prevent them from making you miserable. Fortunately, there are some simple, natural steps you can take to feel better and prevent the suffering before it begins.

How can the foods you eat help with allergies?

While it is obvious to avoid foods that you are allergic to, as they make your allergy symptoms even worse, did you know that certain foods can actually help you fight allergies?  For example, try incorporating spices like turmeric and ginger into your cooking. These spices can decrease inflammation in the body, which helps with the sniffles and sinus pains that are caused by an allergic inflammation response in the sinus cavities.

Also, eat plenty of fruit!  In addition to being something you should be eating anyway, the vitamin C in citrus fruits acts as a natural antihistamine, which is the main function in allergy pills. There is also bromelain in pineapples that has been shown to reduce inflammation, and you know that saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away?” Well it is especially true if you suffer from allergies, because 5 apples a week appears to improve lung function, which can make your lungs better equipped to handle any wheezing or breathing difficulties from allergic reactions.

Cleanliness is next to… Allergy relief!

People often think that allergies are just something to worry about when you are outside, but allergy triggers can lurk inside a dirty house as well! Regular housecleaning can help relieve your symptoms, but make sure you go about it the right way. For example, vacuum at least once or twice a week, but make sure your vacuum has a HEPA filter, without this type of filter the tiny allergens might be passing through your vacuum’s standard filter and flying through the air where you may breathe them in.

Also, wear a mask when you clean, this keeps particles from being inhaled when you dust your house. It is also a good idea to leave your house for a few hours or so after you stir up that dust so that you aren’t exposed to all of it.  Speaking of dust, make sure you wash your sheets water heated to at least 103 degrees. That’s water hot enough to kill the dust mites that can find their way to your bedding.

While many people like to cut energy costs and air-dry their laundry, be careful of doing so in the spring!  Pollen and mold can blow onto your clothes while they dry outside, making your symptoms worse.  Mold can also be a problem in the bathroom due to humidity levels.  Scrub the tiles in your bathroom regularly and, if you can, throw your shower curtain (even the plastic lining can be washed in cold water) into the washing machine on occasion to remove the mold from it as well.

And, if cleaning makes your allergies act up too much, get your partner, friend or family member to do your cleaning for you!  Jobs like vacuuming and dusting are especially good to pass along to someone else if you are particularly sensitive to allergens.

Pet maintenance

Many people find that the biggest source of their allergies is their four-legged friends. About 132 million cats and dogs live in American households, which leads to a lot of dander!  What causes allergic reactions to animals is actually coming in contact with the tiny proteins that are found in pet dander, saliva and urine.  These proteins are infamously “sticky”, making pet allergies tough to prevent and eliminate.  Ever wonder why you can have an allergic reaction from just the pet owner without his or her animal around?  It’s because these proteins stubbornly stick to pet owners’ clothing, furniture and just about everything else.

So what is one to do when their fuzzy friend makes them sneeze? For starters, keep your pet out of your bedroom! While many pet owners enjoy their pet curled up at the foot of their bed while they sleep, your bedding can become a tough-to-clean trap for allergens.

Just as you have to be on top of cleaning mold and dust from your house, the same goes for cleaning up after your pets. Try shampooing your rugs, frequently changing out both people and pet bedding, and wiping down areas that pets rub against. Still having trouble?  It could be your carpets and upholstered furniture.  Cutting back on these things (which may mean converting to hard-surface flooring) could mean the difference between suffering and satisfaction.

The benefits of controlling your allergies

Many of us, perhaps having forgotten over the course of the year how bad allergies make us feel, decide to simply “tough it out” for a while.  This is a terrible thing to do for your health!  Suffering from significant allergy symptoms can bring about some serious mood and emotion changes, the term for this is allergic irritability syndrome, and the symptoms are exactly what you would expect.  Persistent allergy symptoms take their toll on your body and mind, which can lead to feelings very similar to depression.

Allergic irritability syndrome can also cause muscle aches and pains, difficulty concentrating, memory problems and an overall feeling of sluggishness.  So whether you have a case of the “blues” or the “sniffles,” you owe it to yourself to take action and fight back against allergies!  Your body and mind will thank you for it.

What if these steps don’t cure your allergies?

Most people will find significant relief from their allergies by eating the right things, keeping a clean house and taking precautions to avoid exposure to high pollen levels. And, of course, those with the most sensitive allergies may find that they have discomfort no matter what they do.  In many cases, in order to find a satisfying level of relief from allergies, natural supplements can be the secret weapon your body needs to start enjoying your life again.  Here are just a few options to consider:

Ortho Molecular: Natural D-Hist

Natural D-Hist is a targeted blend of flavonoids, antioxidants, proteolytic enzymes and botanicals designed to provide comprehensive support for seasonal challenges caused by common environmental allergens. The powerful combination actively promotes healthy nasal and sinus passages for individuals with elevated histamine and respiratory irritation.

Pure Encapsulations:  A.I. Formula

When your body is fighting hard against allergies, it needs some immune system support. A.I. Formula provides promotes a healthy immune response at the cellular level. Its comprehensive ingredient list includes allergy-fighters like turmeric and ginger — which were discussed in this article.

If you’ve been living with allergies, the tips and products discussed here could give you the much-needed relief you’ve been looking for.

Until next time, stay healthy!

Dr. Gregg Gittins

Our top pick is...

Natural D-Hist is a targeted blend of flavonoids, antioxidants, proteolytic enzymes and botanicals designed to provide comprehensive support for seasonal challenges caused by common environmental allergens. The formula includes quercetin, bromelain, stinging nettles leaf, and N-acetyl cysteine. The powerful combination actively promotes healthy nasal and sinus passages for individuals with elevated histamine and respiratory irritation.

Keep Allergies From “Springing” Up
Keep Allergies From “Springing” Up

For some of us, springtime is the reward for surviving a cold and dark winter.  For others, the allergens that accompany the coming of spring make us wish winter could stay around a little longer!

At least 20% of Americans suffer from allergies that make even simple, day-to-day tasks a struggle.  Allergies are essentially an abnormal response from your immune system which trigger your body to fight the incoming allergen as if it were a virus!

But don’t worry, because after reading this helpful guide, you will be better prepared than ever to keep your allergies at bay and enjoy your spring to the fullest.

When your body is exposed to an allergen, either by swallowing it, breathing it in or getting it on your skin, your system goes through a process to deal with what it thinks is a serious problem.

The immune system creates special antibodies that attach to certain cells, called mast cells.  Once the allergens bind to the antibodies and mast cells, chemicals known as histamines are dumped into the blood. It is these histamines which cause the symptoms that we associate with an allergies.

  • Sneezing
  • Rashes
  • Watery, itchy eyes
  • Running or itching eyes
  • Rashes
  • Irritability
How can the foods you eat help with allergies?
How can the foods you eat help with allergies?

While it is obvious to avoid foods that you are allergic to, did you know that certain foods can actually help you fight allergies?  For example, incorporating spices like turmeric and ginger into your cooking can decrease inflammation in the body, which helps with the sniffles and sinus pains that are caused by an allergic inflammation response in the sinus cavities.

Also, eat plenty of fruit!  In addition to being something you should be eating anyway, the vitamin C in citrus fruits acts as a natural antihistamine, which is the main function in allergy pills.

You know that saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away?” Well it is especially true if you suffer from allergies, because 5 apples a week appears to improve lung function which can help yoy handle any wheezing or breathing difficulties from allergic reactions.

Cleanliness is next to… Allergy relief!
Cleanliness is next to… Allergy relief!

People often think that allergies are just something to worry about when they are outside, but allergy triggers can lurk inside a dirty house as well! Regular housecleaning can help relieve your symptoms.

  • Vacuum at least once or twice a week, but make sure your vacuum has a HEPA filter
  • Wear a mask when you clean, this keeps particles from being inhaled
  • It is also a good idea to leave your house for a few hours after you stir up that dust
  • Make sure you wash your sheets in hot water of at least 103 degrees
  • Be careful air-drying your laundry, pollen and mold can blow onto your clothes while they dry outside
  • Mold can also be a problem in the bathroom due to humidity levels, scrub the tiles in your bathroom regularly and throw your shower curtain into the washing machine on occasion
  • If cleaning makes your allergies act up too much, get your partner or a friend or family member to do your cleaning for you!
Pet Maintenance
Pet Maintenance

Many people find that the biggest source of their allergies is their four-legged friends.  About 132 million cats and dogs live in American households, which leads to a lot of dander!

What causes allergic reactions to animals is actually coming in contact with the tiny proteins that are found in pet dander, saliva and urine.  These proteins are infamously “sticky” and tough to prevent and eliminate.

  • Keep your pet out of your bedroom!  Your bedding can become a tough-to-clean trap for allergens.
  • Shampooing your rugs, frequently changing out both people and pet bedding, and wipe down areas that pets rub against.
  • Still having trouble? It could be your carpets and upholstered furniture. You may have to cut back on these things (which might mean converting to hard-surface flooring) could mean the difference between suffering and satisfaction.
The Benefits of Controlling Your Allergies
The Benefits of Controlling Your Allergies

Many of us, perhaps having forgotten over the course of the year how bad allergies make us feel, decide to simply “tough it out” for a while.  This is a terrible thing to do for your health!

Suffering from significant allergy symptoms can bring about some serious mood and emotion changes.  The term for this is allergic irritability syndrome, and the symptoms are exactly what you would expect.  Persistent allergy symptoms take their toll on your body and mind, which can lead to feelings very similar to depression or the flu.

So whether you have a case of the “blues” or the “sniffles,” you owe it to yourself to take action and fight back against allergies!  Your body and mind will thank you for it.

What if These Steps Don’t Cure Your Allergies?
What if These Steps Don’t Cure Your Allergies?

 

Most people will find significant relief from their allergies by eating the right things, keeping a clean house and taking precautions to avoid exposure to high pollen levels.  And, of course, those with the most sensitive allergies may find that they have discomfort no matter what they do.

In many cases, in order to find a satisfying level of relief from allergies, natural supplements can be the secret weapon your body needs to start enjoying your life again.

Pure Encapsulations Quercetin:  In addition to being an effective antioxidant, studies have shown that quercetin is able to prevent the release of histamines. Because of this, quercetin supplements are considered a great natural substitute for allergy medications.

Metagenics Sinuplex:  Contains quercetin, but includes other ingredients as well to support healthy sinus, nasal, lung and respiratory function.

Pure Encapsulations UltraNutrient:  When your body is fighting hard against allergies, it needs some extra nutrients and fuel, and this includes allergy-fighters like turmeric, ginger and vitamin C that were discussed in this article.

If you’ve been living with allergies, the tips and products discussed here could give you the much-needed relief you’ve been looking for.

Have a great day!
Have a great day!

We hope this slide show was helpful and informative. Should you have questions, or suggestions, please feel free to fill out our Ask the Doctor form found at the Doctors Corner.

Yours in health,

Dr. Gregg Gittins
www.oakwaynaturals.com

References:
* Harvard Health Publications (Harvard Medical School); Tips to Control Pet Allergies 2009
* National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Allergic Diseases: Pollen Allergy 2012
* Glassman, Keri, Women’s Health; 9 Foods That Fight Seasonal Allergies
* Mayo Clinic Staff, Mayo Clinic; Allergy-Proof Your Home 2014
* MedicineNet.com; Allergy Treatment Begins At Home 2014

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*FDA Required Statement: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.