Halting Hay Fever
As a child I could tell spring was just around the corner because my brother’s face would swell from the allergies he had. Even now, he still suffers from hay fever which will put him out of commission work wise for a couple of days. Don’t worry, I get my share of allergies where I suffer from hay fever at times as well with symptoms like watery eyes, scratchy throat, and a runny nose.
Hay fever or allergic rhinitis is the allergic reaction a person can have from allergens in the air such as pollen, mold, pet dander, or dust mites. Symptoms can include nasal congestion, sneezing, and irritation of nose, throat, eyes, and mouth. Some potential triggers for allergies can be both indoor and outdoor plants with trees, grass, flowers, and weeds that produce pollen for reproductive purposes. Common house plants such as Weeping Fig (ficus) and poinsettias may release potential allergens in your home. Breathing in these allergens makes your body release histamines into your bloodstream and the result is hay fever.
Approximately 7.8 percent of people age 18 and over in the United States have hay fever, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. And allergic rhinitis affects between 10 percent and 30 percent of the population worldwide. Even more, 12 million people had the primary diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in terms of physician office visits, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S. with an annual cost in excess of $18 billion.
Some risk factors for hay fever include:
· Having a blood relative who has allergies
· Working in an environment where you are exposed to allergens
· Having other allergies, asthma, or atopic dermatitis
So I just want to disclose I do take an antihistamine occasionally for my allergies. But there are some natural ways to boost your immune system to combat hay fever. Adding anti-inflammatory foods to your diet is a sure bet in terms of fighting allergies. For example, mustard greens contain vitamin C and beta-carotene. And some findings indicate that turmeric has antifungal, antimicrobial and hepatoprotective properties. So don’t be afraid to chug down that golden milk or savor some delicious curry dish. Also try some rosemary, which is anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory thanks to an ingredient, rosmarinic acid.
Another helpful hint is to pay attention to the pollen count in your local weather report to plan accordingly. Plan for indoor activity if necessary. Crank up the air conditioner in warmer months and leave your windows closed if you can. Research plants that release less allergens inside your home.
As for my brother, he does need to eat healthier so including some foods in his diet would be beneficial in terms of preventing hay fever from racking his body. Maybe I can convince him to share that curry dish with me. What do you think, bro?
