With the days getting warmer (and longer), we all want to be happy and excited. But then it hits you. Your eyes start watering and itching, your nose starts running, and your head stays stuffy 24/7.
We cling to our tissues, pop those over-the-counter allergy pills, use eyedrops, and buy nasal sprays. Soon enough, your mouth feels dry, your head is full of fogginess, and you may even begin to feel drowsy. Chances are, depending on the severity of your allergies, these side effects aren’t even worth it.
The good news is there are some natural ways to seek relief.
If you can’t unstuff your stuffy, runny nose, you might want to try using a neti pot. Not only will it flush out allergens, but it can also quickly relieve congestion and stop that pesky nasal drip.
Yes, the practice sounds weird, but you might be surprised how much relief it can provide. Just be sure to thoroughly follow all directions, clean your neti pot thoroughly, and don’t overuse it. Also, if it doesn’t come with a premixed solution, do not use tap water. Instead, pick up some purified or distilled water.
While the fancy imported kinds of honey may look cool, the locally produced stuff may be better for your allergies. Since it has trace amounts of pollen from local sources, it can actually help you build up an immunity. That, in turn, can sometimes make your symptoms less severe.
As much as we may prefer contacts to glasses, this time of year isn’t the best time to wear them. Unfortunately, they can trip all sorts of allergens in your eyes, which just makes the itching and running even worse.
Your best defense against itchy, watery eyes is sticking to glasses and rinsing your eyes with a saline solution.
If congestion and/or coughing is keeping you up at night, you may need to bring in the big guns. In other words, you might want to buy an air purifier and a humidifier. A HEPA filter will clean allergens from the air.
A humidifier kept in your bedroom will ensure the air stays moist and potentially even prevent allergy-induced sore throats. Also, make sure your windows stay closed to keep pollen out.
A hot shower can provide you with a lot of relief. Plus, for starters, it’ll remove pollen from your hair and body. The steam has a similar effect to using a humidifier, breaking up all that nasty congestion.
