Seasonal allergies come right after the cold and flu season. While some find relief that the worst is behind them as the seasons shift many dread the change of the seasons because that means they are more miserable!
The good news is that seasonal allergies are seasonal! They will pass. Most kids do grow out of them. And your own system will eventually settle into a rhythm as well.
But sometimes our bodies need special support. The underlying causes can also be looked at with testing to see if there are any underlying issues you might have or sensitivities you’re not aware of.
The key to handling seasonal allergies for yourself or your child is to be ahead of the game.
Knowing that your child or someone in your family is prone to getting seasonal allergies you can plan ahead of time and have things on hand so the severity and duration of symptoms can be shortened.
I hope you find the info below useful!
Lifestyle Hacks
Neti Pot
A simple solution of water or saline can help clean out your sinus passages. Once the allergens that settle in the nasal cavity are rinsed out then the allergies are reduced offering huge relief. If your child is prone to allergies, you can always make this into a game if you’re having a hard time getting them to cooperate. It may feel funny for them but the relief and less severe symptoms may be worth it.
Food
If certain foods create sensitivities in you or your child then it might be worth eliminating them for the allergy season. Most dairy and wheat products is what’s recommended to decrease as it causes mode inflammation and more mucus making the body work overtime. Food is one of those things we have control over unlike the allergens outside, so eliminating certain foods can definitely lessen the allergy load in the body. While it used to be that you could only get tests for food sensitivities from your doctor nowadays you can order at home kits which you can do yourself. I personally like the IGG tests while they are pricey it’s a good resource if you’re suspecting food allergies and do not know to which food group.
Air Filter
Some control we have over allergens is inside. Avoiding dust by making sure the carpets are clean or the rugs vacuumed up is a great start but air purifiers are an excellent addition. They decrease allergens as well as get rid of some toxins that might be lingering in the house. The key is to get a good quality one.
Natural Solutions
Quercetin
This is a potent antioxidant that helps decrease histamine in the same way some drugstore bought drugs do. You can boost natural production of quercetin with leafy green, broccoli, apples, grapes or peppers or there are natural products like D-Hist for adults and kids available as a supplement.
Omega 3’s
Because allergies are causing the body to go into an inflammation state Omega3’s can be highly beneficial for the body in lowering that inflammation, especially when they are high in EPA. This will depend on the severity of the inflammation and symptoms but you want to get a good quality product to make sure it’s doing its job such as Nordic Naturals. They also have one for pregnant women if you need help with inflammation.
Probiotic
The microbiome has a lot to do with the function of your immune system. Allergies tricker the immune system response so therefore it is really important to look into getting a good quality probiotic. When your immune system is balanced then there is no overactive reactions to allergens which helps decrease allergies. It all starts in the gut for you and your child to make sure that there is a good balance between good and bad bacteria. The different types of probiotics you would choose really depend on your children’s age. If you are looking for yourself, there are many products you can choose from. I like the ones with the most strands. Mary Ruth has a pretty good line but again it all depends on what you are looking for.
Homeopathy
When lifestyle choices and certain protocols are not enough and you need a boost, consider using homeopathy. It is safe during pregnancy and with small children. The key is to look at the symptoms and match the remedy as closely as possible to those symptoms. If some remedies do not work, instead of giving up I encourage you to maybe look into a different remedy or reach out for a consultation. Urtica urens is often used if there is a parasites. Arsenicum is often considered when there is food poisoning with skin reactions or any hives related to fruit. Both Pulsatilla and Sepia remedies are used for women that have hives related to menstrual issues and Allium cepa and Histaminum are used when there are general allergy symptoms such as runny itchy eyes and sneezing.
Herbs
Herbs are very effective antihistamines without the side effects that many OTC drugs bring. Many of the herbs are also rich in antioxidants which helps protect the respiratory linings from any damage. They help to expel that extra mucus while also lining the mucous membranes. For chronic allergies it is important to possibly work with a professional herbalist as there needs to be underlying issues that can be addressed with herbs to help prevent future reactions. Some herbs to consider looking into are: stinging nettle, turmeric, skullcap and elderberries.
Check out the article on essential oils that can help your allergies here.
Final Thoughts
There are more than 22 millions Americans that are affected by allergies. The classic signs are itchy eyes, runny nose and sneezing due to the release of histamines and other inflammatory substances. The underlying cause is most often food allergies while other factors come into play such as pollen and dust.
Here is an article on how sugar fuels your allergies here.
If you or your child is having allergy symptoms year round, I would recommend consulting a naturopathic doctor in your area to help you pin point the core issue or at the very least do the IGG test or stool test to see results you can work with.
Looking for specific herbal remedies or custom made care plans, visit the online wellness clinic to schedule your appointment!
Hope this serves you on your journey.
God bless you and yours.
Krystina
