MANAGING YOUR ALLERGIES

STEP ONE

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In the morning:

Facial Cleanse & Sinus Rinse

See instructions at the bottom of this document.

Think before opening Windows: Trees and grass pollen that cause spring allergies can blow into your house even if you open your windows even a crack, especially during the early morning hours when pollen counts are typically the highest according to Vincent Tubiolo M.D. allergy, asthma and immunological specialist.  If your house is stuffy consider running your air conditioner but remember to change your filters before each season to remove pollen dust and mold. If you're really suffering invest in the air purifier with a HEPA filter to help suck up lingering allergens. 

Be aware of the pollen count.

Visit weather.com and watch-year-old local morning news or download the pollen.com app for your phone. If the count is high that day try to stay indoors as much as possible.

Eye protection!!!

Sunglasses visually block airborne allergens from blowing into an irritating your eyes especially on windy days.

In the afternoon

De-Stress.

Research shows that stress can aggravate allergic reactions even a full day after an anxiety-producing event. That might be because of stress hormones in your body rise, so do levels of cytokines-protein reproduces part of the allergic response, according to research from Ohio StateUniversity. To keep an even keel during allergies season, suit yourself by breathing deeply, listening to tunes you love, and work out smarter not harder.

Exercise now.

If you prefer to run or walk outdoors, do so in the afternoon when pollen counts are lower. But if you're allergies are really bad, you're better off sticking with the gym or at home workouts.

In the evening

Take off your shoes.  Pollen is often tracked into the house on shoes increased exposure.  Better yet, strip off your clothes and hop in the shower so pollen doesn't linger in your hair and body. Run the bathroom fan to keep committee levels down and prevent mold spores and other allergy triggers from taking hold. Remember to finish up with a facial dip and sinus rinse to eliminate remaining pollen from your eyes and sinuses.

STEP TWO

Avoid these trigger foods as well as avoiding processed foods, sugar and fried foods.  Food that trigger allergies

If your allergic to:

Tree Pollens

Avoid: almonds, apples, celery, cherries, hazelnuts, pears, parsley

Grass Pollens

Avoid: melons, oranges, tomatoes

Weed pollens

Avoid: carrots, celery, coriander, fennel, parsley, pepper, sunflower

Ragweed pollens

Avoid: bananas, cantaloupe, chamomile tea, cucumbers, honeydew, watermelon, zucchini

STEP 3

Supplements and herbs to consider during allergy season

Local honey at the farmers market, fresh lemon or lime juice, Green Tea, Vitamin C, and Probiotics are all available over the counter.  

STEP 4

Acupuncture

Acupuncture can stop allergy symptoms and support the modulation of the immune system so it is less reactive to allergens.  

Facial Dip Allergy Prevention

FACIAL DIP INSTRUCTIONS

This can be done several times a day to neutralize and remove allergens from the eyes and nose.

Preparation

1. Fill basin or bathroom sink with hot water (as hot as is comfortable for your face)

2. Add 1 TBSP sea salt (or if not available, regular salt)

3. Add 1 CAPFUL of Hydrogen Peroxide

4. Add 6 DROPS (not dropperfuls) of iodine

Procedure

1. Immerse face in water covering eyes and nose

a. Blink eyes

b. Exhale through nose with eyes closed

c. Remove face from water and blow nose

2.  Immerse face in water covering eyes and nose

a. Pull left lower eyelid down

i. Look up, right, down, left and blink

a. Exhale through nose with eyes closed

b. Remove face from water and blow nose

3.  Immerse face in water covering eyes and nose

a. Pull right lower eyelid down

i. Look up, right, down, left and blink

a. Exhale through nose with eyes closed

b. Remove face from water and blow nose

4.  Immerse face in water covering eyes and nose

a. Let water passively come up nose – do not inhale

i. Advanced version – alternate with inhalation

a. Exhale through nose with eyes closed

b. Remove face from water and blow nose

If you notice any discomfort - burning or strong stinging, stop. Next time, start with one drop less of iodine.