Ah, allergies. Sneezing, itchy eyes, a running nose, headaches, trouble sleeping. Let’s face it — allergies are not fun.
If you suffer from allergies, the tricky thing is that there can be triggers everywhere. There are environmental and ingestible antigens all around you that can cause an allergic reaction if you happen to have an overly sensitive immune system.
When you come into contact with an allergen — be it dust, pollen, a dog — your body will release histamine, which causes all the sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, and hives, among other symptoms. Seasonal allergies, while they can make you feel miserable, are not life-threatening. Other types of allergies include respiratory, food, and drug.
Traditionally, Western medicine has controlled allergies with over-the-counter drugs that are meant to stop your histamines from overacting when you come into contact with an allergen. Unfortunately, many of these allergy medications can cause side effects. Try some of the following strategies at home to lessen allergy symptoms and reduce your need for medication:
- Drink plenty of water. This will help your body get rid of allergens, which may be trapped, in addition to boosting your immune system.
- Eat balanced meals. By eating healthy, you will have more strength to fend off allergens.
- Avoid any foods that you might be allergic to. While this is easy enough in your own home, when you are out visiting, you must be mindful of your food allergies and ask that none of the food you are eating has come into contact with the foods you are allergic to.
- Remove all allergens from your home. This includes carpets, feathered pillows and duvets.
- Buy a vacuum with an air filter. This will ensure that all the allergen particles stay inside the vacuum cleaner and do not fly back into the air.
- If you have seasonal allergies, try showering before you go to bed if you have come into contact with any allergens. In fact, the best thing to do is shower as soon as you come into the house and wash your clothes immediately. This will reduce the chance that you are spreading the allergen throughout your own home.
- Buy a dehumidifier. If your house is damp, this can create a breeding ground for mould, which in turn can aggravate your allergies. Showers and bathtubs that are constantly damp need to be washed frequently to remove the mould — the same goes for items such as shower curtains.
- Clean your home often. By cleaning frequently, you are removing the amount of allergens that build up in your home. This includes the furniture, curtains and linens.
- And probably most importantly, detox your body. A week-long detox plan is said to help boost your immunity and your energy levels. It will also help you flush your body of toxins, including any foods you might be allergic to. Talk to your doctor or naturopath for a safe detox plan.