Spring is a beautiful time of year when all the flowers and trees are in bloom but for an allergy sufferer, it’s not a time to smell the roses. When you have allergies, you have a higher sensitivity to certain substances, so here are a few ideas to help ease your allergy worries.
The substances that often cause the reaction can include pollens, foods, or small organisms. Common signs of an allergy may include sneezing, itching, and skin rashes.
In some cities, every year is a bad year for allergies. Below are the 10 worst cities in America for allergies. Several factors are considered when ranking these cities. These include pollen scores and number of allergy medicines used per patient. The rankings also include the number of board-certified allergists per patient.
According to the 2014 Spring Allergy Capitals report from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, the following are the top 10 cities with the worst allergy levels.
Top 10 worst cities for spring allergies
….50. Austin, TX
For the full list of Top 100 cities, go to AllergyCapitals.com.
For people with mild symptoms, I recommend a saline nasal rinse. This treatment reduces the pollen load. It is an over-the-counter allergy product. We carry a great one in our office.
When the pollen counts are at their highest, here are a few tips for people with allergies. First, do anything you can do to avoid exposure to the things you are allergic to. You can keep all your windows and doors shut. This will limit the amount of pollen and mold entering your home or your car.
Also, trees tend to pollinate in the morning. So try to plan your outdoor activities for later in the day, taking a shower before bed, clean your hair to remove the day's pollen and other allergens on your body, and vacuuming once or twice a week helps keep dust to a minimum, too.
One way to treat allergy and cold symptoms is by using steam, a natural decongestant.
No matter what you do, it is important to take allergies seriously. They may be common, but allergies can lead to other health problems. These problems can be chronic sinus problems, nasal polyps, and ear problems. Allergies can also trigger asthma.
An estimated 5,000 people visit the emergency room due to asthma each year in the U.S. People should take their allergies seriously since they can have a serious effect on your asthma.
8 ways to prevent allergies
There is one good thing about seasonal allergies. It is the perfect excuse to head to the water. Typically, beaches and other areas near the ocean have a lot less pollen. Beaches also have fewer molds. The reason is because ocean breezes help to clean the air.
Pollen and mold spores can collect on your clothes. So it is important to remove them so you don't have allergens in your house. First, shake out your clothing outside. Experts say this will get rid of a lot of the pollen. You can then wash with normal detergent plus a little bleach. Or you can use a specific anti-allergen detergent. Then, dry your clothes in a dryer. Hanging your clothes outside to dry makes them attract pollen.
Japanese clothing maker Sanyo has developed a pollen-resistant fabric that is used in making outerwear. According to the company, this new fabric blocks pollen from clinging to the coat. It also reduces allergic reactions. It is breathable and releases moisture from the body to keep you drier than ever. The fabric is called Microfit SX. It is also designed to be ultra silent and super soft.
Allergy masks with built-in HEPA filters are great for people with serious allergies. You don't need to wear one all the time to get the benefits. You should wear it when you mow the lawn, rake, or garden. It can go a long way in keeping symptoms to a minimum.
Chiropractic has not been proven to reduce allergies. For this practice, specific vertebrae are adjusted to increase immune response. But there is one promising study. Children who underwent a three-month course of chiropractic suffered from fewer minor allergy symptoms. Especially if your allergies are fairly mild and you want to stay away from medicine.
One of the most delicious options for allergy prevention is a shot of tart cherry juice. Cherries are tasty and provide many health benefits. But cherry juice contains a compound called quercetin. Quercetin-containing foods like cherry concentrate may help reduce allergy symptoms. This fact comes from the University of Maryland Medical Center.
If you are prone to allergies, you should keep windows closed. This keeps the pollen that causes allergies out of your home. Plus, experts say that using an air conditioner will help clean your home. It will also dehumidify the air.
If you have watery eyes and an itchy nose, your first stop should be your computer. Check out the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology's national allergy map. This site gives you the pollen and mold counts in your area. It also offers a meter for figuring out the threat level.
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Four Points Family Chiropractic
10815 Ranch Rd 2222 Bldg 3C, Ste 100
Austin, TX 78730