It's spring, and suddenly you are feeling like hell: stuffed up, foggy, itchy, exhausted! you cannot figure it out because it isn't a chilly (it goes on forever) and you have never had allergies. Until now. One or more of the factors above might be your new worst enemy. "All of a sudden at age 25, you'll develop seasonal allergies, albeit you've never had them before," explains Beth Corn, M.D., a fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. And if you are doing come down with them as an adult, she adds, "It's possible that you're going to have allergies for all times ."
Not that it's any comfort, but you are not suffering alone: the amount of usa citizens who endure itching, sneezing and congestion thanks to triggers like tree, grass and weed pollen has doubled within the last 20 years , consistent with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). One reason: global climate change , which is cranking up the quantity of pollen within the environment. "Climate conditions are the foremost likely reason why allergenic plants like ragweed are beginning to pollinate earlier and die later, and with this increased exposure, people are more affected," explains Leonard Bielory, M.D., a professor at Rutgers University's Center for Environmental Prediction. Superstorms make things even worse: When Superstorm Sandy saturated the bottom in 2012, it provided extra nutrients that acted like steroids on many pollen-bearing plants.
Urban planning is another modern contributor. City landscapers often fill "green" areas with allergy-causing trees and, if the species is gendered, tend to plant males, which shed many pollen. What's more, the allergenfest will likely become more intense: Dr. Bielory predicts that pollen levels will rise 20 percent by 2020. And an Italian research review found that climate changes may encourage the event of even more allergenic super pollens.
But there's excellent news , too. Researchers are busily delving into the science of the changing allergy landscape to deliver new, effective (and often drug-free) strategies in order that you'll actually enjoy this spring and summer.
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What to Do
Supercharge your diet. "Omega-3 fatty acids are shown in animal studies to scale back bronchial inflammation and should even decrease the quantity of mucus produced," notes Janis Jibrin, R.D., SELF contributing expert. She advises eating a serving of salmon or a couple of walnuts two to 3 times per week to ascertain if it reduces symptoms. And quercetin, a flavonoid in arugula, kale, cilantro, okra, onions, radicchio and watercress, may help prevent immune cells from releasing histamine, potentially improving your symptoms and their severity.
Drink tea. Often. EGCG, a strong antioxidant in tea , has been shown to dam the body's release of histamine. during a new Japanese study, people that drank three cups daily of an EGCG-loaded tea for four months (before and through pollen season) experienced both fewer and milder symptoms. Choose the brewable kind: In tests, tea made up of loose leaves or bags usually had higher levels of EGCG than bottled tea.
What to try to to Better
Pinpoint your triggers. Get personalized intel on the simplest (and worst) days to travel on a picnic or a run. First, find out which specific pollen sets you off by seeing an allergist (find one at ACAAI.org), who will do an easy 20-minute skin-prick test. Armed thereupon info, follow pollen counts to work out when your allergen is high. We just like the free pollen-level app available from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology at Pollen.AAAAI.org.
Be A about cleaning. After you have been outside for even a brief time during an important pollen season, your clothes, body and hair may carry a crazy amount of allergens back to your home: In 24 hours, one large T-shirt can trap up to 7 million grains, researchers from Providence College found. Throw your clothes within the hamper as soon as you get home so you'll wash them ASAP. "And take your shower in the dark ," advises Marjorie Slankard, M.D., director of the allergy clinic at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia.
Find your med. you would possibly be tempted to grab the antiallergy capsules that cover 1,000,000 symptoms so you'll blitz your suffering away, but it is best to require as little as you'll and target what's making you most miserable. Overmedicating can backfire by irritating your nasal passages and making you are feeling worse. "Antihistamines can help a runny nose and itchy eyes, but if you're stuffed up, choose a decongestant," says Jennifer A. Reinhold, Pharm.D., professor of clinical pharmacy at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy.
What to observe
Cross-reacting allergens Some foods share properties with common allergens and may depart minor reactions in some people any time of year. So if you get an itchy mouth or throat out of season, try skipping certain foods (or, if you'll , cooking them). If you react to ragweed, for instance , you'll be bothered by cantaloupe, zucchini, cucumbers, bananas and chamomile tea; if birch pollen causes you to sneeze, be wary of carrots, celery, parsley, fennel, hazelnuts, almonds, apples and drupe . If grass is your poison, you would possibly be sensitive to peaches, melon, oranges, celery and tomatoes. Plus, take care with foods which will contain pollen. Sunflower seeds and unprocessed honey could trigger symptoms.
Synthetic clothes "When synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester rub against one another , they will generate static electric charges which will cause more pollen to stay to your clothes, making your symptoms worse," says Gailen D. Marshall, M.D., director of clinical immunology at The University of Mississippi center in Jackson. To avoid becoming an allergen magnet when exercising outdoors, confirm your base (or only) layer may be a natural fibre , like cotton.
Your stress level consistent with the AAFA, increases in stress can worsen inflammation, which could make allergy symptoms more severe. Some stress-reduction techniques, like meditation and yoga, may help reduce inflammation. So get out your yoga mat to clear your head—in more ways than one.
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