Pollen Invasion

Lately, it seems like no matter the actual color of your car, it will always be green this time of year. I'm talking about POLLEN. Before I made my big move to the South, someone told me that I am guaranteed two things down here-- grits and pollen! He told me that not only does everyone eat grits with every kind of food, but when spring hits pollen is everywhere. Since I have lived in South Carolina, I have found both statements to be true.

When I encounter pollen my eyes instantly get swollen and I sneeze uncontrollably. Personally, I have found some allergy relief in Clartin and Benadryl. Hopefully these tips will also offer you some relief.

Here are four tips for coping with your spring allergies:

• Know the triggers. Just because you sneeze during spring doesn't necessarily mean you're allergic to May flowers, or even pollen for that matter. You could be allergic to mold or fungus, both of which are exacerbated by April showers. Grass and trees are other common spring allergy triggers, and knowing your enemy will help you learn what to avoid.

• Avoid them. Keeping your windows shut and staying indoors on dry and windy days, when pollen is more likely to get blown around, will help if you're allergic to pollen. But staying inside on rainy or excessively humid days could help, too, if mold is what triggers your allergies.                                                   

• Evict chemicals from your kitchen. Certain household chemicals can aggravate or even cause both indoor and outdoor allergies. The primary culprit is triclosan, the active ingredient in antibacterial soaps. Scientists from the University of Michigan recently found that people who commonly used products containing the ingredient were more likely to suffer from allergies or hay fever.

• Watch what you eat. People who are allergic to pollen can also have oral allergy syndrome, which affects about a third of seasonal allergy sufferers. Your immune system sees a similarity between the proteins of pollen and those in some foods, such as apples, cherries, pears, apricots, kiwis, plums, or nuts. Avoid these when your allergy symptoms are at their worst, and opt instead for leafy greens (spinach, collard greens, and kale, for instance) and citrus fruit, all of which are full of allergy-fighting folic acid.

Content Credit: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032076/ns/health/
Photo Credit: Google Image


-Denea Duran