Seasonal Allergies: Causes and Remedies

Runny nose, watering eyes, chest tightness, and sneezing are all common symptoms of seasonal allergies. It’s a real nuisance. We may not be sick enough to take a day off work, but going about our daily activities can end up being a dreary experience. In some cases, these symptoms can prolong over days, weeks, or even months. If that is your experience, we recommend seeing your local doctor as soon as possible as the situation may be more serious than seasonal allergies. We also would recommend that you consider boosting your immune system by doing a detox. For more information, read our article, Detox Your Body – Why?

However, in most cases, there are simple steps that you can take to manage these symptoms. Before exploring how we can best address these infamous allergies, let us first understand what causes them.

Causes of Seasonal Allergies

When you develop an allergy, it is a sure sign that your immune system is reacting to something in your body it identifies as a threat or, at least, foreign. The substance that elicits an adverse response in your body, leading to a proliferation of antibodies to counter the threat, is known as an ‘allergen.’ Each time your body encounters an allergen, it aggressively produces more antibodies and other chemical mediators to counter it.

When spring rolls in, we are naturally inclined to spend more time outdoors. While the scenic beauty and relaxing walks through parks are good for us, the pollen from flowers and fresh grass is picked up by our bodies, which are identified as a threat by our “domesticated” immune system.

While there are different kinds of pollen, you may not be allergic to all of them. Various types of pollen are released throughout the year, and they largely vary from one location to another [1]. It is also a misconception that pollens are released only in spring [2]. It is also known as ‘hay fever’ for a reason inspired by the summer’s hay–cutting season. However, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, grass is the most prevalent cause of allergies in summer [3].

You might think that you are safe in Winter because you spend more time indoors, but unfortunately, it might not be as effective as you think. You might be safer from the outdoor allergens, but you could still have an allergy to the indoor ones such as mold, pet dander, dust mites, and insects. The good thing is that they are easier to prevent and get rid of compared to outdoor allergens. Learn more in our article, “Home Sweet Home” – The Dangers of Indoor Pollution.

If you are concerned that you may be having an allergic reaction, don’t hesitate to contact your primary care physician for allergy testing. In the case of seasonal allergies, your symptoms generally occur only at certain times of the year, and your doctor can confirm that upon examining your ears, nose, and throat.

Common Cold or Allergy?

Seasonal allergies are so common that the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) reported that they are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the US [4], and the World Health Organization has identified that it affects about 10-30% of the population worldwide [5].

Since common cold and seasonal allergies are commonplace and share several symptoms, it is easy to mistake one for the other. Here are some of the common cold symptoms that you will not find or find rarely in case of an allergy. [6]

1. General aches and pains
2. Fever
3. Sore throat (rarely)
4. Persistence of other symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, cough, stuffy or runny nose for weeks or months

Prevention of Seasonal Allergies

While we are all about facing problems head-on and dealing with any obstacle, the best way to avoid seasonal allergies is to avoid the “trigger.” Once you know what is causing your allergies to flare up, do your utmost to stay away from them.

If you are allergic to pollen, we recommend that you stay indoors during high pollen periods. Beware that the pollen count is at its peak in the morning, staying high throughout the day. If you need to step out, wear wide sunglasses that can effectively shield your eyes and apply a small amount go petroleum jelly to the inside of your nose, which will trap the allergens before they reach the sensitive lining in your nostrils. You could also consider wearing a high-filtration mask.

Also, remember not to dry your clothes outside. They could act as carriers for allergens. While it is impossible to completely eradicate the allergens in your home, you can keep them to a minimum. While you are tempted to leave the door and windows open when the temperature climbs, it may be best to keep them shut to prevent pollen and other airborne threats from coming in. Run your vacuum cleaner once every few days and invest in an efficient air filter. The idea is to catch any errant allergen before they enter your body.

How We Address Allergies at the Budwig Center

At the Budwig Center, we have a whole-person approach to healthcare, and our objective is to identify and address the root cause of a persistent, chronic condition. So, our medical doctor will look over a person’s reports to get to know their medical background and then make suggestions regarding eating habits, lifestyle changes, and natural remedies that may help in the long term.

Additionally, we recommend doing an occasional Vega Test and GSR Scan to stay on top of the immune system and the body’s need to detox regularly. In our experience, each person is unique and may suffer from specific symptoms for very different reasons. Therefore, a 1-size-fits-all approach for someone suffering from allergies is not the answer. A thorough analysis and examination of one’s health are vital to get to the root of their health condition – this is where the Vega Test and GSR Scan come in.

This assessment will help you identify the potential causes of your allergies and, therefore, provide a roadmap detailing the preventative steps that can be taken so that you will not need to depend on medication. The results will be a much better quality of life. When the weather beckons us to go outside, we can enjoy it and derive the many benefits of being outdoors, such as getting some much-needed Vitamin D.

If you struggle with allergies and other symptoms that sap your energy and vitality, we encourage you to consider signing up for our Health & Wellness programs. Learn more here.

Final Thoughts

We understand that seasonal allergies can be a harrowing experience, even if you are otherwise healthy. It can take your mind away from the many exciting things you have planned for the season. While there is no definitive cure for seasonal allergies, we hope this article has given you ample insight into the causes and means to manage them. As always, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Additional Reading:

• The Common Cold: Symptoms, Treatments, and Covid-19
• How to Strengthen Your Immune System
• The Top Must-Have Essential Oils

Sources:

• [1] https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/pollen#diagnosis
• [2] https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/seasonal-allergies#causes
• [3] https://www.aafa.org/pollen-allergy/
• [4] https://acaai.org/allergies/allergies-101/facts-stats/#:~:text=101%20Allergy%20Facts-,Allergy%20Facts,groups%20in%20the%20United%20States.
• [5] World Health Organization. White Book on Allergy 2011-2012 Executive Summary. By Prof. Ruby Pawankar, MD, PhD, Prof. Giorgio Walkter Canonica, MD, Prof. Stephen T. Holgate, BSc, MD, DSc, FMed Sci, and Prof. Richard F. Lockey, MD.
• [6] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/expert-answers/common-cold/faq-20057857