Photo courtesy of Pixabay under Creative Commons 0 license
Summertime in Colorado offers unparalleled beauty, endless outdoor activities, and, if you’re like many people, the return of summer allergy season. Itchy eyes, a runny nose, hives, and other symptoms are sure to keep you from enjoying the most out of summer in Colorado.
Oftentimes, people will run to the drugstore and stock up on anything that purports to help relieve allergies. What they might not know is that these drugs can be habit forming, expensive, and sleep inducing – to name a few. The good news is that there are a number of well-researched natural remedies to fight, or even stop, your seasonal summer allergy outbreaks.
Here are five methods of finding natural relief for your allergies.
1. Nasal irrigation, such as using a Neti Pot, is proven to quell upper respiratory conditions related to allergic reactions. Several studies from the University of Wisconsin Department of Family Medicine conducted under the direction of David Rabago, MD, back up this method of allergy eradication.
2. The marsh plant Butterbur (or Petasites hybridus) has long been used for medicinal purposes and cultivated throughout Europe, North America, and certain areas of Asia. Notable for its ability to treat migraine headaches, research now shows that Butterbur is also a powerful natural remedy for allergy symptoms. After just five days of daily treatment, participants in the study were found to have smaller amounts of allergy producing substances (leukotriene and histamines). When you come in contact with an allergen, your body produces leukotriene and histamines, which in turn are responsible for your allergic outbreaks. Butterbur acts as an inhibitor to your body’s production of leukotriene and histamines, meaning these inflammatory reactions are thereby reduced.
3. Here’s an easy one: every time you enter your home, wash up. After being outside, you unwittingly bring with you all of the allergens that affected you outdoors, indoors. So, take a shower, wash and change your clothes, and leave your shoes at the door.
4. Studies show that quercetin, a flavonoid that gives many fruits, vegetables and flowers their colors, also prevents immune cells from releasing histamines in a similar manner as Butterbur. It’s important to note that quercetin takes time to work: individuals may need to take it for three to six weeks before they notice any substantial antihistamine effect. More on quercetin may be found here, though always consult your physician before starting any new supplements – natural remedies included.
5. While not exactly a treatment, knowing your allergic triggers can help you identify the problem and avoid specific allergens more than others. Preventative medicine is one of the best ways to stop a medical issue before it has the chance to progress, after all. Make an appointment with an allergist for a simple allergy skin test to learn exactly what is causing your summer and seasonal outbreaks.
There are numerous natural remedies to treat your allergies if this is the route you wish to take. As always, consulting your physician should be the first step in this process.
Looking for a brand new apartment complex to call home? Contact us today to tour our beautiful Longmont units – we’ll be happy to show you around.