Springtime Allergy Sufferers: 3 Ways to Manage Your Discomfort
Are You A Seasonal Springtime Allergy Sufferer?
Winter is over. You await the first sign of spring and begin to notice the buds on the trees are popping. For some, this is an exciting time. For others, the dread of pollen is lurking in the background. You place a bulk order for tissues on your Amazon shopping list and stock up on OTC antihistamines. Springtime seasonal allergies are nothing to sneeze about. Literally. Finding relief can feel daunting but there could be some natural ways to help you along the way.
What Are Symptoms Related to Springtime Allergies?
Teary eyes, congested sinuses, headaches, and sluggishness are some of the most common symptoms. The seasonal springtime allergy sufferer can also uncommonly experience bowel changes, skin rashes, itchy ears and mouth, and a morning sore throat.
What's Going On In My Body?
Our immune system functions like a proficient warrior ready to battle whenever an enemy comes in contact. It is a complex system whose primary goal is to maintain and preserve the body's integrity. When a foreign substance (bacteria, virus, fungus, pollen, etc.) comes into contact with this system, the alarm bells begin to ring, and the body goes into hyper vigilante mode. When pollen (known as an antigen) is released and inhaled, the immune system triggers a protein called an antibody. The protein (antibody) attaches itself to the pollen (antigen) as a stealth attack to remove it from the host, your body. Histamine is released into the bloodstream during this process, triggering white blood cells to migrate to the area being "attacked" to help fight a potential infection and heal tissue. The springtime seasonal allergy knows this histamine reaction as red, itchy eyes, a runny nose, and a raw, scratchy throat.
Why Am I An Allergy Sufferer?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, 1 in 6 Americans deals with allergies, more than 50 million people. They are commonly inherited and passed down from parent to child. Therefore, if a parent has a weakened (immune) system, the child might also show signs of immune function weaknesses. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, when the Wei Qi (surface protective energy) of the body is weak, it does not offer the protection needed against the invasion of any external or environmental pathogen. So, boosting the system before the springtime allergy season is a great way to be proactive. Exercise, finding ways to alleviate stressors, and cutting out processed foods and sugars can help increase the body's protective Qi.
Try using an air filtration system in the bedroom. I use a Molekule mini.
Make sure to use anti-dust mite pillowcases. If you have an allergy to dust mites, your immune system might be battling all night unwarranted, leaving you exhausted and more vulnerable to springtime pollen during the day.
The Importance of Sleep
One great way to manage your symptoms is to prioritize sleep. The quality of sleep and the amount of time spent in REM sleep can influence the immune system's strength. When a body is under high amounts of stress, cortisol rises. This rise, over time, creates a decrease in immune function. Sleep, not only assists in your immune system but is also essential in helping the brain detoxify through the Glymph system. Since many allergy sufferers complain that their symptoms get worse at night, creating an environment free of allergens might be an important strategy going into springtime allergy season.
Diffuse Essential Oils
The volatile compounds found within plant parts, citrus skins, and resins are called Essential Oils. They are "essential" because, similar to the Qi, energy, blood of a human, they are the "life force" within the botanical kingdom. Watch the Integrative Wellness Collective's conversation here with Dorene Peterson, episode 15 on Aromatherapy: Harnessing the Herbal Powers of Essential Oils.
Aromatherapists use essential oils for their many therapeutic properties, such as the following in relation to springtime seasonal allergies.
1. Decongestant (relieves congestion)
2.Mucolytic (makes your mucous less thick and sticky)
3.Anti-inflammatory (reduces local redness, pain, and swelling from histamine release).
Doc B's Springtime Nasal Congestion Relief Blend:
Fill the water diffuser with fresh filtered water.
5 drops Mentha pepperita (Peppermint)
3 drops Eucalyptus globulus (Eucalyptus)
3 drops Lavendula angustifolia (Lavender)
3 drops Myrtus communis (Myrtle)
Turn on the diffuser to disperse the diffusion intermittently, not continuously while you sleep.
MASSAGE YOUR FACE
There are four pairs of sinuses in the face. They are small, hollow cavities in the front of the skull that connects to the nasal cavity itself. The tissue inside these cavities produces mucous. Mucous is a natural response of the body's immune system to try to rid itself of a pathogen, which is pollen in the case of springtime allergies.
When the tissue inside the facial sinuses becomes inflamed and irritated, the mucous cannot drain properly, getting stuck inside the cavity. In the beginning stages of congestion, massaging the face can be helpful to improve circulation through the sinuses, increase the flow of lymph through the tissue and make more space in the nasal bone to help drainage.
In conclusion, there are many easy ways to stock up on OTC supplies before your become a seasonal springtime allergy sufferer. Strengthening your whole system prior to allergy season and beyond, will keep you and your immune system strong. And if you experience pain, redness, and intense pressure in your face or head, seeking medical attention is most important. If mucous stagnates inside these cavities, it can become infected and turn to sinusitis.
If you are curious about the pollen count in your area, make sure to visit www.pollen.com daily to be informed of what is blooming near you.
As a certified Aromatherapist, I can assist you if you need support in choosing the correct Essential Oils. If you are interested in booking an appointment for an Essential oil consultation, fill out the form below and I will get back to you in 24 hours.