Monthly Archives: November 2023

Foods to Take and Those to Avoid When Suffering from Hay Fever

As the weather warms, the dreaded hay fever season approaches. If you have been suffering from the condition, you know there are many ways to deal with seasonal allergies. Besides visiting an allergy doctor for medication, you must wash before bed, rub Vaseline under your nose, and use an air purifier.

It may surprise you, but what you eat can significantly impact your hay fever symptoms. Certain meals can help reduce inflammation and boost your immune system, while others can aggravate itching and sneezing.

To help you fight the condition, here is food to eat to relieve hay fever symptoms and those to avoid.

Pineapple

Pineapple significantly helps with hay fever symptoms. The reason for this is that pineapple is high in vitamins and has the enzyme bromelain.

Bromelain, found in pineapple stems and juice, causes the body to produce molecules that relieve discomfort and swelling in the nose and gums.

If you have a runny nose, itchy eyes, or a cough, eating pineapple or drinking pineapple juice will help relieve the symptoms.

Berries

You should consume vitamin C-rich meals during hay fever season. Vitamin C functions as a natural antihistamine, reducing the amount of histamine your body produces in response to allergens.

When you take berries, you will notice fewer symptoms, such as sneezing and watery eyes.

Some of the best berries to take include strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and cranberries, high in vitamin C and antioxidants that aid with inflammation.

So, the next time you feel congested, consider eating a bowl of berries.

Carrots

Carrots are high in vitamins and minerals, which assist in reducing hay fever symptoms. This root vegetable, like sweet potatoes, beets, and pumpkins, includes carotenoid, a plant pigment that boosts the immune system and lowers lung inflammation.

Those who suffer from chest tightness during allergy season may benefit from including carrots and other root vegetables in their diet.

Kale

Carrots contain quercetin and carotenoids. Both of these pigments are antihistamines and anti-inflammatory.

If you have itchy eyes and a runny nose, consider swapping lettuce for kale in your salads.

Onions

Quercetin, a pigment that works as a natural antihistamine, is abundant in white, red, and green onions. In addition to being rich in antioxidants, the quercetin found in onions soothes cells that react to allergens, reducing inflammation and enhancing immunity and gastrointestinal health.

Many sources recommend eating onions raw for the maximum benefit because frying them reduces the quercetin concentration.

Pepper

Peppers will be your closest buddy during hay fever season if you suffer from allergies. Red, yellow, and green peppers are all high in vitamin C and carotenoids, which aid in the relief of hay fever symptoms such as itching around the eyes, nose, and throat.

You can also take chili peppers as they are anti-inflammatory as well.

Garlic

Garlic, like ginger, relieves symptoms by soothing inflammation and calming the cells that create histamine.

Garlic is also high in antioxidants, and each clove contains vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, iron, C, E, and K.

Cooking with garlic during allergy season is strongly advised because vitamin E is considered one of the finest vitamins for easing symptoms.

Salmon

Fatty and oily fish, such as salmon, are high in omega-3 acids, which improve allergy tolerance and reduce inflammation and edema.

Eating salmon can help with itching and respiratory problems like asthma. Salmon is also abundant in vitamin D, increasing serotonin production when paired with omega-3 fatty acids.

This rise in serotonin can help you sleep better, which is beneficial if you have hay fever at night.

Food to avoid

As mentioned, certain foods can worsen your condition, so you should avoid it. This includes:

Dairy

Dairy, mainly matured chees like parmesan and gouda, is not ideal for allergy patients. Cheese includes histamines, which aggravate and make your allergies worse.

This is because dairy promotes mucus production in the body, which can clog the nose and throat and aggravate runny noses and itchy tongues.

Due to the dangers of milk, you should stay away from it.

Alcohol

Everyone likes a nice pint in a pub garden during the summer, however, some types of alcohol contain histamines and might aggravate your symptoms.

Stay away from Beer, cider, and wine are the worst for allergies because they contain more histamines than spirits like vodka and gin.

To prevent your allergies from getting worse, you should avoid these types of alcohol. You can also try alcohol-free drinks to prevent the condition from coming about at all.

Apples

You must have heard the adage that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but that’s not the case regarding hay fever.

With hay fever, when you take apples, you are bound to seek the services of a doctor because the condition will worsen.

Many research studies have been conducted to investigate how apples affect hay fever, with some claiming that red apples assist in alleviating symptoms.

This is because apples can produce pollen-food or oral allergy syndrome, a condition in which your body responds to foods in trees and grass.

You have an allergy syndrome if your lips, tongue, and inside of the mouth are itching. If you don’t have this, apples should be fine to eat during allergy season; however, if you have, apples may aggravate your symptoms, and you should stay away from them.

Melon

Melon, like apples, is linked to oral allergy syndrome and can cause allergic reactions in people allergic to grass and ragweed.

Although melons are great to take in hot weather, honeydew, and cantaloupe melons can cause inflammation in the mouth and inner ears, and you should stay away from them.

Parting shot

These are some foods you should take and those you should avoid to prevent your condition from worsening. If you take any of the foods and the situation worsens, don’t sit back and think you will get better.

Instead, you should contact an experienced allergy specialist Manassas, and have them look at you.

How to Deal with Allergies in Winter

If you suffer from allergies, surviving winter might be a real challenge. This is because there are several allergens in the air at this time that can cause everything from a simple stuffy nose to headaches and fatigue.

Thankfully, there are several things you can do to survive the season. To help you out, here are suggestions for surviving the winter allergy season.

Find out if you have allergies or if it is just cold

You need to be sure that what you are experiencing is due to allergies rather than a cold or anything more serious. 

You should know that several allergy symptoms resemble cold symptoms, but several key differences exist. 

Allergies cause symptoms to appear unexpectedly. Colds, on the other hand, develop gradually, with symptoms steadily worsening over time. 

Allergies can last for weeks or months if the allergen is constantly present. Colds usually clear up in a few weeks. 

You should note that allergies increase a person’s susceptibility to upper respiratory infections.

If you aren’t sure about the condition you are suffering from, get the input of an allergist specialist. The professional will undertake a battery of tests to determine the condition you are suffering from and advise you on the best way to combat the condition. 

Maintain the highest levels of cleanliness.

Cleaning the house may appear to be a simple taks, but it is one of the simplest ways to cope with indoor winter allergies. 

Dust, mold, pet dander, dust mite, and cockroach droppings may all hide in the most inconvenient places and cause sneezing, coughing, and congestion.

You should maintain a regular cleaning plan to limit exposure to these indoor allergens. 

Dust and vacuum regularly, especially beneath and behind furniture, where allergies can easily accumulate.

You also should wipe down counters and other frequently used surfaces. Wipe out seasonal decorations, especially if stored in places where dust and mold thrive.

Lookout for pets

As much as they are adorable, pets can make your winters unbearable. Your pets, like you, are spending more time indoors at this time, which increases your exposure to pet dander and saliva.

While you may like snuggling with your dogs before bed, you should avoid it. In fact, you should keep them out of the bedroom to prevent any nighttime allergies that may disrupt your sleep. 

Keep the door to your bedroom locked during the day so your furry family members aren’t enticed to enter.

When caressing your cat or dog, wash your hands afterward to avoid accidentally touching your face and triggering an allergic response. 

You also need to groom your pets regularly to reduce allergens in the air. 

Find and fix indoor mold.

Did you know there are around 1,000 types of mold in the United States? Many molds are not visible to the naked eye, and when mold spores become airborne, they can induce allergic reactions. 

Avoiding mold allergens can be challenging because mold can grow in almost any wet part of your house. You can find it in your basement, bathroom, under the sink, and any place with running water.

If you suspect you have indoor mold, contact a professional who can locate and remove any mold in your house. 

Stop and clean up any leaks immediately to avoid mold from forming inside your home. 

Also, keep moisture and humidity to a minimum in restrooms and kitchens. Consider getting a dehumidifier if humidity control is an issue.

Be cautious of your forced air systems.

This is one of the most crucial tasks you should undertake if you suffer from indoor allergies. 

Allergens are physically blown throughout the house by forced air systems. They draw in air and force it via pipes and vents. 

To avoid this, dust the vents regularly and have the insides of the air ducts professionally cleaned once a year. 

Most individuals never do this, and the filth and allergy accumulation can be a major issue.

While at it, check the air filters. When did you last change the filter in your furnace or air conditioner? If you can’t remember, it might be time to do it. 

When buying the new filter, get a high-quality one with a high energy star rating. Such a unit will last for a long time and give you excellent services. 

Protect your bed from dust mites.

According to the ACAAI, dust mites dwell and breed in warm, humid environments and are commonly found in carpets, pillows, mattresses, carpeting, and upholstered furniture.

Even if your house is clean on the outside, dust mite allergen particles might still be hiding in these areas, and you keep developing allergies.

Use mite-proof zippered coverings for your mattress and pillows to reduce your exposure to dust mites. 

You should also wash and change your sheets, blankets, and other bedding in hot water once a week to remove dust mite droppings.

You can do most of the cleaning by yourself, but if you are having problems keeping the bed clean, consider getting the services of an expert. 

Consult an allergist

You should consult an allergist if the allergies are getting out of control or if you are experiencing serious symptoms.

Allergists are experts at treating allergies and asthma. They will help you get tested, treated, and feel better. As a result, you get to enjoy the holiday season and beyond.

Following a consultation, an allergist may administer tests to diagnose your allergies and determine potential causes.

An allergist will prescribe antihistamines and other medications to alleviate your allergic symptoms.

Parting shot

You may better manage your winter allergies by following these recommendations. By doing so, you will enjoy the comfortable, cooler months without allergies. 

An allergy doctor Manassas VA is an important professional to have by your side at this time. For peace of mind, take your time and find a reputable one who is experienced and knows what they are doing. 

When the doctor prescribes any medication, take it religiously and follow the right procedure.