It’s that time of year again……About 13% of the population suffers from seasonal allergies. Unfortunately, I’m one of them. I first developed allergies when I was a fat bastard at 17. I got the flu for the first time and ended up with allergies that right after. Maybe my immune system malfunctioned? Seasonal allergies happen when the immune system treats plant pollen, dust or other usually harmless particles as invasive. Your immune system is going crazy and sending histamines to attack the intruders. In food allergies, this usually means the mouth and throat. With seasonal allergies, histamines are all over your sinus. Eyes, nose, throat, even ears.

I wouldn’t wish seasonal allergies upon my worst enemy. Worst of all, those who don’t suffer from seasonal allergies think that those who do are just bitching about a few boogers. It’s nothing like a cold and sometimes the symptoms can become extremely unbearable. So how do you deal with seasonal allergies?

Some Helping Points

• Avoid grain, dairy and simple sugars during allergy season. This is usually the first course of action!
• If possible, go to an allergy specialist and identify what it is specifically you’re allergic too
• Stay indoors on warm, dry windy days. You don’t want pollen to kick your ass!
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. If you don’t mind looking like Bane, you can even wear a gas mask
• Vitamin C, quercetin and probiotics have been known to boost immune function
• As soon as you get in, throw all your clothing in the laundry and shower before going to your room
•  Only use anti histamines if you have an important arrangement and you must attend

Seasonal Allergies

In terms of diet, avoiding sugar, fruit juices, most grains and pasteurized dairy products is nearly always helpful. Replacing commercial milk with raw milk from grass-fed cows is also usually well tolerated and highly health promoting. Making certain that enough long-chain omega-3 fats (DHA and EPA) from krill oil. Dr. Joseph Mercola

Anti Histamines

Let me start by taking a crack at anti histamines. Histamines are important to our body. Our immune system uses histamines to defend against invasive germs and viruses. During a severe allergy attack that completely gets in the way of day to day life, anti histamines can be a quick fix. Not many people are willing to sit in a classroom with tears and snot dripping over a test paper, but not many will want to miss a mid term either. For the long run however, anti histamines aren’t the answer. For starters, they sucks. Their half-assed effectiveness is very disappointing. It almost feels like they don’t do anything. Histamines are there to protect us and I’m not a big fan of “anti” anything. There have been reports of lowered immune function with the consistent anti histamine consumption. That’s not something anyone wants in the long run.

Diet and Seasonal Allergies

Diet plays a big role in seasonal allergies.

Food like sugar, grains, fruit juice, soda and milk are not nutrient dense at all (except maybe milk) and are very inflammatory foods.
This can effect immune function and aggravate any symptoms so I always suggest starting with diet. One of my theories of why I developed allergies is because I was living off of Ramen noodles and honey buns. Learn from the martyr……….. Foods high in fat can also be very helpful for boosting immune function. You can also take a shot of apple cider vinegar to snap you into shape. Believe me, it’ll wake you up! Cayenne or other peppers will wake you the Hell up too. The capscaicin in peppers is anti-inflammatory. Runny nose and teary eyes? yeah, this can help drain out all the pollen in your sinus. Wasabi fits in that department as well. Colorful vegetables like bell peppers can help. I usually drink chamomile tea before bed. That seems to discourage my symptoms slightly.

Preventative Measures

The number one rule I have is keeping my living quarters allergen free. I do this by having an air filter and air conditioner on at all times. As soon as I walk into the door of my house, it’s like walking out of a science lab into a decontamination chamber. I take off my clothing, throw them into the hamper and jump in the shower. Wash my face, hair and maybe snort some warm salt water to flush out my sinus’. When going out, I put on sunglasses and keep the AC on in my car. NO window!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some people actually wear gas masks and goggles for gardening. It’s a little different if you’re in a crowded New York subway with such attire. That’s probably very extreme, but really effective. Although please don’t hold me responsible if you end up in Guantanamo Bay…….. My last tip is to avoid going out all together. If you see a dry windy day, do yourself a huge favor and call our of school or work. You’re doing yourself and your colleagues a favor. I was actually sent home from both institutions before for being unable to function. As appealing as warm clear days look, that breeze is nothing but pollen ready to get into your face and destroy your very Spring existence………

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