Because so many of us are struggling with seasonal allergies right now, we thought we’d include these great tips from Whole Living Magazine that address occasional, semi-regular, and chronic allergies and what you can do to get some relief. Get ideas for how to change the “Achoo!” to an “Ahhh!”

Remedies for Occasional Seasonal Allergies

Sitting in a field not an option during warm weather? Take a look at these remedies for allergies.

We’ve got three simple things to try if you suffer from occasional allergies. If you find yourself suffering from a specific type of allergy (say, pollen from pine trees) then this may be a good place to start. Finding small ways to improve your body’s reactions to allergies can make a big difference, here’s how to address the occasional itchy and watery eye:

• Snack on Salads—A range of fruits and vegetables may help to calm allergies so eat up! Carotenoids in produce have been found to defend against the oxidants in your system that team up with histamines that attack your body. Eating a wide range of produce can help calm allergies. Check out the benefits of incorporating a variety of color into your diet and what each color group can do here.
• Sip Water—If you’re dealing with a dry nose and an abundance of mucous in your system, drinking water will help! By thinning mucous and hydrating dry nasal passages you’ll be on your way to feeling better. Aim for about 9 cups of fluid each day, mostly water. Learn more about the importance of hydration here.
• Block Triggers—It seems like a no brainer but, just to cover the bases: if the lawn is being mowed, shut the windows and when driving, choose the “recirculate” option on your a/c to cut down on pollen making its way into your system. Also, try to avoid outdoor activity in the morning and midday, when pollen counts are highest. Other way to avoid triggers include wearing wraparound sunglasses, taking off your coat or sweater as well as your shoes when you come into your home to avoid bringing allergens in.

Remedies for Semi-Regular Seasonal Allergies

How is yoga a remedy for allergies?!

For semi-regular seasonal allergy sufferers, we have a little hope to offer! If you’re battling itchy and watery eyes or sneezes throughout the day try these tips:

• Supplements—Research suggests that 800mg of vitamin E a day can help ease the symptoms of semi-regular seasonal allergies. The antioxidant quercetin may block the release of histamines and can be taken in supplement form and found naturally in apples and onions. If you choose to take a quercetin supplement, aim for about 200 to 400 mg 3 times a day.
• Stretching and Yoga—Stress can intensify your reaction to allergens by dampening your immune system so keep up with daily yoga or even a few simple stretches each day. As little as 3 minutes of daily stretching can set a relaxed tone for your day and help you ward off stress. Learn more about easy ways to squelch stress in this blog.
• Neti Pot—This small teapot-like device uses salt water to wash away allergens and mucous from your nasal cavities and reduce postnasal drip. If you want to make your own saline solution, be sure to use sterilized water to cut down on any chance of infection. Find neti pots at your local health food store.

Remedies for Chronic Seasonal Allergies

Don’t get the achoo blues! Check out these remedies for allergies.

Chronic seasonal allergies are those that last for weeks with little relief to be found from home remedies or a simple stretch. Consider these options if your condition is chronic:

• Acupuncture—Stimulating your body’s natural “defensive energy” is possible by the boost provided to the immune system with regular sessions. One study found that allergy symptoms were significantly reduced with no side effects.
• Medication—A daily antihistamine can lessen the sneezing, itchy, watery eyes and help to clear a stuffy nose. Consider consulting an allergist to see which type of medication would be best for you.
• Immunotherapy—Tried everything and still suffering? Maybe an allergy shot could be for you. The procedure involves 1 to 3 weekly injections of gradually increasing amounts of your trigger. It’s been noted that, after a few years, your body should build up a permanent tolerance.

We’ve shared some employee favorites for seasonal allergies in this blog, as well as some of Hanna’s most loved home remedies for it here. Let us know what works for you, we love getting comments! If seasonal allergies are an issue, whether occasional, semi-regular, or chronic try giving these tips a try for some much needed relief! Want more products to consider to remedy your allergies? Check out our Allergy and Sinus section here!