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Five simple ways to beat allergy season this spring

At last, spring is in the air. (Literally!) This means it’s allergy season.

The Food and Drug Administration estimates that there are nearly 40 million people in the U.S. who suffer from seasonal allergies. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, the most common allergy triggers are Continue reading below...tree, grass and weed pollen; mold spores; dust mites and cat, dog and rodent dander. If you greet this time of year with itchy eyes, a scratchy throat, congestion and/or a runny nose, prevention is the key.

“Your immunity affects every aspect of the day, from work performance to emotional well-being,” says Lisa Metzger, Ph.D. “By taking proactive efforts for better health, you’ll be less likely to miss out on life this allergy season.”

New England is one of the areas in the U.S. hardest hit by spring allergies because of our climate and the high volume of tree pollens and mold. Due to the frigid temperatures the nation experienced this winter, the allergy season may have a delayed start in the Northeast. However, long-range forecasters believe that Rhode Islanders can expect spring allergies to reach their peak by mid-May. For snowbirds who spend their winters in the South and summers in the North, there is little relief. They may begin sniffling in Pensacola only to be met with watery eyes in Providence.

Here are some simple ways to stay sneeze-free.

 1. Get moving. Besides its obvious fitness benefits, regular workouts are known to strengthen the body’s immune response. New research indicates that cardio exercise may even calm inflammation in the nasal passages.

Although it seems counterintuitive to exercise outside if you suffer from airborne allergies, pollen counts taper in the afternoon between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. “Pollen is released from grass in the morning, and as the day heats up, it rises high enough into the air where you won’t have any contact with it,” says Haig Tcheurekdjian, M.D., associate clinical professor at Case Western Reserve University. If the pollen count is remarkably high or your allergies are especially unpleasant, head to the gym instead.

2. Change your diet. It may not sound “kosher,” but limit your dairy intake. Dairy products create phlegm, which can escalate allergy symptoms like runny nose, sore throat and cough. It has also been suggested that nearly 70 percent of people can’t tolerate dairy because they’re missing the enzyme lactase. According to Steven Lamm, M.D., author of “No Guts, No Glory,” the immune system of individuals with sensitivity to dairy products can respond more adversely to pollen and other allergens.

Also, try to incorporate foods that contain flavonoids. Fill your plates with colorful fruits and vegetables such as such as peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, plums and blueberries. These foods have natural antihistamines, which inhibit your body’s response to an allergen.

3. Clean up your act. They say cleanliness is next to godliness, so start washing. Regularly wash your hands and face, and be sure to shower before bed (or straightaway after you’ve done yard work) to minimize your exposure to allergens. Pollen, mold spores and dander can wind up in your hair, eyebrows, eyelashes and skin. Further, sweat can trap the nasty triggers in the folds of the skin, especially the face. Allergens are chief irritants when they assault your eyes, ears and throat.

4. Think hot and cold. Extreme temperatures kill dust mites. Washing your bed sheets once a week in hot water will kill dust mites. Also, put your pillow in the freezer for 12 hours every two weeks to eradicate mites. This routine will keep the mites from returning.

 5. Go with the flow. Spritzing saline up your nose may not sound enjoyable, but it is an effective way to flush pollen out of your nose. Over-the-counter saline sprays, nasal sprays (with or without antihistamines) or a neti-pot salt-water rinse can be purchased at any local pharmacy. As with all things, use common sense, and consult your primary care physician or allergist to navigate the best treatment and to monitor your health.