Top Asthma Triggers That Could be Making You Ill

Asthma is a respiratory condition that affects your breathing, as the lungs swell and tighten in response to various triggers. If you have such a condition, it’s vital that you speak to your GP or an allergist to receive the right medication – it’s a dangerous illness that could be fatal if left to worsen. Around 60 per cent of asthma cases are allergic asthma, which means that underlying allergies make it hard for you to breathe. This could be cats, pollen, dust or chemicals in the air, but a skin-prick test can determine what is making your asthma worse. Once you know what the triggers are, you can avoid them to ensure you don’t exacerbate your condition. The seasons are one of the most common causes so you should be aware of the seasons, specifically if you have allergies to grasses, weeds and pollens. Allergic symptoms can start as early as February when the trees start blooming, grasses can make your symptoms worse right through summer, and weeds will continue to affect you until autumn. So be aware of the signs and get your treatments sorted ahead of time. Once you know that pollen is your trigger, you can keep an eye on your risk by checking the daily pollen count in your local area. If you know what you’re sensitive to, this will help you read the rankings a little more clearly and you’ll know what to avoid for future summers to keep allergies at bay.

Seems to simple to be true? Maybe, but closing your window could actually be the answer to some of your problems! You can use an air conditioner to filter out pollen that does find its way into your home, especially on high pollen days. There is a chance that your allergies are worse in the evening because pollen gets trapped on your clothes and hair. So make sure that you change your clothes, shower and wash your hair of an evening so that you don’t exacerbate your problem. This goes for your nose – believe it or not, but your nostrils trap pollen too, and this can lead you to have worse allergies when you’ve been out all day. You can try using a saline rinse, or a herbal nasal spray to reduce the risk of pollen getting trapped in the nasal cavity. If these don’t work, you can speak to your GP who may be able to advise of a prescription treatment that will do the job more effectively. Antihistamines can be bought over the counter and can work with your asthma medication to keep your symptoms under control. There are plenty you can buy over the counter, but if they don’t work there are stronger ones that your GP can prescribe for you. Some people find that their allergic asthma gets worse when they workout outside, so opt for an indoor workout instead. If you really must exercise outdoors, try to avoid the late morning or early afternoon as pollen is released at sunrise and tends to peak just a few hours later. You should also aim to keep your home temperature in the mid to low 60s and the humidity between 40 and 45 per cent, as dust mites thrive in homes that are warmer than 70 degrees. These are known to make allergies worse, so keep an eye on this and make sure that you keep your home at a temperature that sends them packing.

Categories: allergic asthma, allergies, Asthma, avoid, Pollen, worse

What Do You Need to Do to Fight and Control Your Asthma?

When your wellness is affected by asthma, you find your wellbeing taking a hit time and time again. Unfortunately, asthma is just one of those health concerns that doesn’t quit – especially if you don’t know what triggers the condition or how to prevent this from happening. However, with a little research and preparation, you can avoid nasty asthma triggers and breathe easy. So, how do you do it?

 

The first thing you need to do to take control of your asthma is to get tested. Asthma is categorised by the fact that it makes your lungs swell and tighten in response to triggers, so it’s important to see an allergist to find out what those triggers are. In about 60% of asthma cases, allergic asthma is at play, meaning that it can be hard for you to breathe if you come into contact with underlying allergens. Skin-prick tests, and other methods of testing, can help you to figure out and avoid your triggers, be they cats, pollen, dust, or something else entirely.

 

If, during your test, you find that you’re allergic to tree pollens, grasses, and weeds, this unfortunately means that you’ll might start seeing symptoms as early as February, as this is when the trees begin to bloom. You might find yourself miserable through the summer if grasses are a trigger, while weeds can keep you wheezing through autumn. It’s important to know which one you’re allergic to, in order to combat symptoms. You can look online for a daily ranking of allergens, including seasonal tree pollens, grasses, weeds, and outdoor moulds. This gives you the chance to say indoors when levels of allergens are high.

 

However, it’s not always possible to stay indoors and weather the storm of allergens, so what do you do then? If the pollen levels are high, but you need to go outdoors, you might want to consider a N95 filter mask. They’re not so chic but they do keep pollen out of your nose and mouth. Neil Kao, MD, an allergist at the Allergic Disease and Asthma Centre in Greenville, South Carolina, notes, ‘Your nose is like a car windshield—pollen sticks to it.’ However, you can help to clear that windshield with a saline sinus rinse, which can be found in any pharmacy. If that doesn’t do the trick, there are always non-prescription herbal nasal sprays like NasalCrom (cromolyn sodium). These help prevent allergic reactions in your nose.

 

When you do go out, your hair can trap pollen throughout the day, so washing it when you get home can help to rinse it out, and ensure you get a good night’s sleep. This is especially useful advice for gel, mouse and hairspray users, as these products are really good at trapping pollen. Another good thing to do when you get home is to close your window (although you should really keep them closed the whole time you’re out!) An air conditioner can help you to further filter out pollen, especially on days in which the pollen count is high, and most ACs will have a filter-only mode so you don’t have to blast your home with cold air all winter.

 

Generally speaking, keeping calm can help prevent asthma flare-ups. A study recently found that sufferers of seasonal allergies (hay fever) have more extreme reactions the day after they perform stressful tasks. Clifford Bassett, MD, an allergist at New York University Medical Centre, explains, ‘Stress raises levels of the hormone cortisol,’ and that often leads to an amped-up allergic response. To combat stress, try stress-relieving techniques like meditation or a soak in the tub. Finally, over-the-counter antihistamine options work alongside your asthma medication to keep your symptoms under control. If those don’t work, ask your doctor about prescription antihistamines.

Categories: allergic, Asthma, nbsp, Pollen, pollens grasses, Testing, tree pollens, Triggers

How to Reduce Your Allergies by Avoiding Certain Flora

Hay fever isn’t actually anything to do with a fever, rather being associated with your body’s over-reactive immune system which sees pollen and dust to be a dangerous foreign body in the respiratory system. As a result, it creates a reaction in the form of watery eyes, sneezing and a sore throat. The pollen and dust most commonly arrives around spring or summer time, when flowers and trees are budding, but people with hay fever can suffer throughout the year depending on what they’re allergic to. The most allergenic plant is known as ragweed, and this can be found in fields, by the roadside and in more rural areas. It’s believed that over 75 percent of Americans who are allergic to plants have an allergy to this specific species – it is more common in summer and autumn, so it is best avoided around this time to reduce your symptoms. Certain trees can also emit pollen which can make your symptoms worse. These usually pollinate in spring, so be prepared with antihistamines during this time of year if you’re allergic to tree pollen.

 

Found in meadows and dry lawns, rye-grass is particularly problematic for allergy sufferers – in fact, given the abundance of grasses everywhere you look, grasses in general can be an issue if you’re allergic to them, as it means you never really get time off from your condition. There is no allergy-free grass and if you mow it, the mold spores from the grass also come up into the air and can make your symptoms worse. Elm trees are common in America, and in the UK too, and pollinate in the spring. Dutch Elm disease killed around 100 million elm trees between 1930 and 1980, but in the late 90s the trees made a comeback meaning terrible symptoms for allergy sufferers. Mulberries may not be the most common of fruits, but from winter to summer they come out in full force as a surprising contender for allergy sufferers. Flowering plants don’t usually create potent allergens – a general rule of thumb is if it creates a pretty flower, such as crab apple trees and cherry blossoms, then it probably won’t irritate your allergies. However, studies show that mulberries do contribute towards hay fever so these are best avoided if you’re one of the unlucky ones for whom pollen is the enemy.

Oak trees are common and pollinate in spring – they produce less potent pollen but in vast quantities, as well as producing it for the longest season. Parks and natural areas often have oak trees so these are best avoided in the height of spring so that your allergies can be reduced. Lastly, mold is a serious contender for this issue and is commonly found in the spring after several months of cold weather and rain. In order to reduce this in your home you need to air your home out regularly by keeping your windows open where possible to allow fresh air to circulate. In places where there is a lot of steam, such as the kitchen or bathroom, be sure to leave the window open slightly at all times so that cool air can reduce condensation in the home. If you do suffer from allergies, though, don’t be the one to clean mold in the home – pass that job on to a family member or friend if possible, as your symptoms will flare up. Try to keep your home dust and mold free if possible, and shower after being outdoors in high pollen seasons as pollen can cling to your hair and skin and make your symptoms worse.

Categories: allergies, allergy sufferers, elm trees, Hay Fever, oak trees, Pollen, spring, Symptoms, symptoms worse, Trees

Sexless Symptoms: Are Allergies Ruining Your Sex Life?

Look at your allergy symptoms: sneezing, runny nose, congestion, itchy watery eyes and fatigue – feeling in the mood? I guess not. Although you may not be aware, allergy symptoms really take their toll on your sex life, with 83% of those polled in an Allergy and Asthma Proceedings study reporting this to be the case. As with any medical condition, it’s important to consult your doctor. Tell your GP about the changes you’ve experienced in your sexual activity, as you can then work together on ways to inject a little more va va voom into your bedroom. There are plenty of avenues that you can explore with your doctor and your partner, so ask yourself the following questions:

 

1. Could you use a little help to fight fatigue? Whether you get them on prescription or over-the-counter, non-drowsy medications can help to guard your wellbeing against fatigue.

 

2. Are you suffering from an allergy? An allergist can test you for – as you might guess – allergies, while health food shops can test for intolerance. Identifying the culprit is an important step, as it is only then that you can create your plan of action.

 

3. How is your environmental wellness? Allergens that thrive in your home and grow in the soil can make everything worse, so limit your exposure to dust mites, pollen, mould and pet dander.

 

4. What’s today’s pollen count? If you monitor daily pollen counts in your area, you can guard your wellness against them on days that they’re particularly high. This means shutting your windows and turning off the air conditioner.

 

5. Does your dog need to sleep at the end of your bed? You or your partner may like to have your furry little friend on or even in your bed, but your pet may be playing havoc with your sex life if you have a pet dander allergy or intolerance. You don’t need to get rid of your pooch, just keep him or her off the bed or – even better – out of the bedroom altogether.

 

6. Is everything squeaky clean between the sheets? They call it getting down and dirty, but this doesn’t mean your bed has to follow suit! If you regularly replace your pillows, and wash your bedding in hot water, you can keep your boudoir as allergen-free as possible and promote a dust mite-free sex life.

 

7. Are you inviting pollen round for tea? Just because you expose yourself to pollen outdoors, you don’t have to bring it into the bedroom. Leaving your clothes at the front door helps to ensure that you’re not tracking it in the house and, who knows? It could be a sexy starter if you strip and hit the shower together.

 

8. Are you prepared for the big event? Although planning and preparation aren’t the sexiest things you can think about, neither is an allergy-ridden sex life. Take care of your sexual health by taking allergy medicine a good half an hour before getting down to it. It’s not the end of the world if it’s not exactly 30 minutes in advance, but planning ahead in this way helps you to make sure your allergy medications are raring to go when you are.

 

9. Are you (and your partner) educated? Education and communication is key here, as a lot of people don’t even realise that their allergies (or their partner’s) are getting in the way of their sex life. You need to understand your wellness, and how everything is connected. If you and your partner are aware of the issue, it makes it so much easier to solve together.

Categories: allergies, allergy, Allergy Symptoms, libido, life, Medications, nbsp, partner, Pet Dander, Pollen, sex life

How to Ease Your Allergies in the Summer Season

By summertime, anyone with allergies will be feeling the brunt of their condition – noses streaming, eyes watering, and a constant supply of coughs and sneezes. It doesn’t necessarily need to be this way though – there are some things you can do to limit the effect allergens have on your body, so that you can get through allergy season relatively unscathed. If your symptoms appear around February, chances are it is trees and grass pollens which aggravate your body. If this is the case, try to stay indoors where possible or avoid parks and tree-laden areas which will make your symptoms worse. You may want to keep a check on the pollen counts on your local news so as to avoid heading outdoors if they are particularly high. It may not be chic, but if you do need to do the gardening or need to head into a park when the pollen is high, a mask which covers your nose and mouth will help you to avoid the pollen entering your respiratory system.

 

When allergy season hits, be sure to wash your hair regularly – pollens get trapped in your hair which can then continue to irritate even once you’re indoors. Washing your hair and having a shower or a bath will get rid of this and help you avoid watery eyes and sneezing sessions of an evening. Studies also suggest that people who are stressed will react more strongly to pollen and allergens, so be sure to stay calm. Try getting plenty of sleep and taking a relaxing bath to rid your daily stresses from your mind and help your body to react more appropriately to allergens. It may seem like a simple thing to do, but keep your nose clean! Pollen will stick to your nose, making your symptoms worse, so try to use a nasal spray where possible to protect this delicate area or use a saline solution from the pharmacist to clean your nose and remove the pollens. Antihistamines are a great way to reduce the effect pollen has on your body, as these will protect your immune system from having an overt reaction to the allergens in the first place.

Keep your home clean as well, as pollen and dust can gather in your home and make your symptoms worse. This means using a damp cloth to clean window sills and doors, so that dust can cling to it rather than just being dispersed into the air, as well as vacuuming regularly to pick up any dust which may get kicked up into the air. However, if your allergies are particularly bad, outsource your housework to another member of the family until your symptoms calm down a little. Be watchful of mold spores in the home, which can develop in bathrooms or kitchens where moisture levels are high. This can make your symptoms worse, and should be cleared as soon as possible. When it comes to cleaning your bedding and cushions, try to wash them on the highest setting they will allow so as to kill any dust mites.  If you still can’t seem shift your symptoms, try acupuncture – it’s been shown that this age-old art could have a massive effect on conditions such as allergies. It works by fine needles being inserted into pressure points in the body to decrease stress hormones and reduce inflammation. Many people have found that it works wonders on their allergies, so this could be the answer to your coughing fits in the spring and summer seasons where pollen counts are higher.

Categories: allergies, allergy season, body, nose, Pollen, pollen counts, Symptoms, symptoms worse, treatment

Could Bee Pollen Solve your Persistent Acne Problems?

It may sound like something from a myth, but bees could actually help you to look younger. These buzzing friends may be the anti-aging secret that you have been looking for, especially if the wellness and wellbeing of your skin is affected by acne.

 

Acne is a disfiguring and distressing condition, which often affects teenagers but which can also affect adults, too. The chances of getting acne are reduced as you get older, and the symptoms include various types of spots, scarring and sore, red skin. In extreme cases, acne can leave you so disfigured that you would consider cosmetic surgery, so the problem should not be underestimated.

 

Fortunately, bee pollen may be the answer to all your skin problems. This pollen has been found to be rich in vitamins and minerals – something that your skin probably doesn’t have enough of if you are suffering from acne. This may be due to a diet that is high in fat and junk food and does not contain enough vitamins and minerals, or it may be that your body is not absorbing vitamins as well as it ought to.

 

Bee pollen has been used since ancient Roman and Greek times, being known as ‘the life giving dust’, which many viewing it as a natural source of youth. It is a highly nutritious food and it contains magnesium, iron, zinc, potassium, selenium, calcium and vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K.

 

In addition to this, bee pollen is a rich source of both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, which help your body to build health cells. It also contains lecithin, which bees extract from plant tissues. This s substance helps you to absorb fatty acids better, and this allows your body to grown new skin cells much more quickly.

Categories: acne, bee, bee pollen, fatty acids, Pollen, skin

Tackle Hay Fever with Complementary Therapy

Hay fever affects around 20 percent of people in the UK according to research, but for many people who have this condition this means summers filled with sinus problems and sneezing. Also known as allergic rhinitis, hay fever is the allergic reaction by the body to pollens which are breathed in or which get into the eyes. It’s most commonly birch pollen which causes hay fever in people, which is released in March, and grass pollen which develops in late May. However, depending on which type of pollen you’re allergic to you can have symptoms at any time of the year. It’s important to remember with any complementary therapy, there are limited studies to prove the effectiveness of the treatment – you should always consult your GP before starting any new treatment to ensure that it is safe.

 

Homeopathy is a form of treatment which is based on the theory of ‘like for like’. In the form of allergies, this means using anti-allergy herbs and ingredients which can ease the sneezing and itching symptoms attached to hay fever. Homeopathic nasal sprays often include ingredients such as traces of red onion which relieves runny noses, nasal irritation and sneezing. Pollenna is another treatment which provides tablets to be sucked or chewed every two hours, six times a day, until your symptoms begin to wane. Infrared light has limited scientific proof attached to it, but there have been trials carried out which reveal that 72 percent of hay fever patients claimed to have a reduced level of symptoms and felt better overall. This is because infrared light consists of wavelengths which have been proven to trigger the healing of nasal membranes, helping to soothe hay fever in sufferers. Membranes can become damaged during this time, so membrane protectors are a great idea. Cellulose powder is applied to the nasal passages which forms a coating on the nose and traps allergens before they can get into the respiratory passages which can be irritating.

 

Nasal sprays are often considered by most to be the top product to use during bouts of hay fever, with 77 percent of people claiming that they’re successful in reducing hay fever symptoms. Used in the long-term, it can even help to prevent hay fever from developing or getting worse. If you want to get the same effect, a little Vaseline rubbed just inside the nose can protect the membranes and trap pollen before it is inhaled.

 

There are ways to treat your hay fever with your lifestyle changes and diet as well. The air you breathe plays a big part in how bad your symptoms are, so an air purifier could be beneficial in cleaning this and helping to reduce the amount of pollen in it. If you’re venturing outdoors, it may be worthwhile to check the pollen count before you leave the house and stay away from parks and nature-rich areas where the pollen will be worse. Garlic is a great addition to your diet if you have hay fever, as it is a natural antihistamine, as is local honey which can desensitise the immune system so it doesn’t react quite so strongly to pollens. Green tea is also a great choice, as this can bolster the immune system and soothe the throat. As with any condition, a healthy diet in general will keep your body working on top form and will strengthen your immune system. If you are worried about your condition, seek advice from your GP who can advise of any other treatment options.

Categories: complementary therapy, fever, Hay Fever, infrared light, nasal sprays, Pollen, sneezing

How to Cope with Hay Fever during the Summer Months

During the summer season, many people find that they begin to spot the signs of hay fever. This is an allergic reaction to the pollen from grasses, trees and flowers, as well as moulds which are carried on the air during spring and summer. Your body, during this time, can react to these allergens because it mistakes them for invaders on the immune system, such as a virus. When you have hay fever, the defence system against these ‘invaders’ overreacts, and the result is the symptoms commonly associated with hay fever. Hay fever, food allergies, eczema and asthma are all connected, and you’ll be more likely to develop one or several of these if they run in your family. This group of conditions means your body produces a type of antibody known as immunoglobulin E (Ig E) which responds to harmless allergens, such as dust mites or pollen. The symptoms of hay fever include sneezing, headaches, itchy eyes or throat, and a blocked or runny nose. These symptoms make sleeping and concentrating difficult, and they may trigger asthma in some people as well. If you have hay fever, you’ll be more vulnerable to dust mites, pet hair and mould allergies – this is known as perennial or persistent allergic rhinitis.

 

When your symptoms arise determines what kind of allergy you have. If your symptoms are worse from May to July or August, you’re more likely to be suffering with a grass pollen allergy. From April to May, your hay fever trigger is likely to be birch pollen – in June or July to November, the cause of your symptoms will be weeds or spores. There are various medications available to combat the effects of hay fever, which you can buy in pharmacies, supermarkets, or get a prescription for from your GP. If you haven’t used the medication before, check with your GP first to ensure that it is safe, even if you don’t need a prescription for it. Nasal sprays are really effective if you only get hay fever now and again, particularly if they only affect your nose – antihistamine nasal sprays could prove to be beneficial where your symptoms are concerned. Decongestant nasal sprays can help if you’re suffering with a blocked or runny nose, but these are only suitable for occasional use. Antihistamine tablets could help to reduce a runny nose or combat sneezing, but if you have a blocked nose, these won’t be the best course of treatment. It’s best to check with your GP before taking these, as some tablets cause drowsiness. Eye drops can also help if you’re suffering with itchy or sore eyes as a side effect of your hay fever.

 

The best way to control your symptoms is to keep a check of the pollen count in your area each day during the summer season. Pollen counts are published daily for grass, weed and tree pollens – there are also pollen forecasts to suggest how high the pollen may be during the week. Keeping an eye on these will help you avoid areas where the pollen count may be worse, such as parks. You can also keep doors and windows closed during high pollen count days, as well as avoiding parks and pollen-rich areas in the early morning and evening when the count will be higher. Drying your washing indoors as opposed to outside can help to avoid pollen clinging to your clothes, as can wearing wrap around sunglasses to keep the pollen out of your eyes. If you’ve been outside, you should have a shower and change your clothes when you get home to rinse off any pollen from your skin or hair – this will stop your symptoms persisting throughout the evening.

Categories: allergy, Hay Fever, Pollen

Can You Treat An Allergy With A Natural Treatment?

Seasonal allergies affect over 26 million people in America alone, not to mention the 50 million people who suffer from other types of allergies, leaving many people open to annoying and sometimes life-threatening symptoms. You may be focused during the summer seasons on the pollen counts and the first freeze, but how do you limit your symptoms? The signs generally involve wheezing, coughing, a runny nose, skin rashes, itching and sneezing. Many treatments deal with congestion but they do little else, meaning that most of your symptoms are still present. They also bring with them unwanted side effects, including drowsiness and nasal irritation. The effects of pollen allergies aren’t just physically tiring, they also impact your mental wellbeing. Natural remedies for allergies could be the answer to remove these symptoms without the nasty side effects that pharmaceuticals bring.

Once you know more about your allergy, you can prepare better for dealing with it. This means understanding how your allergy works, so that you can opt for treatments which combat those effects. For example, a pollen allergy involves a prickly cell of pollen entering your nasal cavity and travelling through the nasal passages. These latch on to the mucus membranes which lead to a histamine trigger which results in the symptoms you associate with your allergy. For some people, including those who have asthma, this may also include swelling in the bronchial tubes. Here are some of the natural remedies which could help you avoid this.

1 – Saline Solution

Doctors recommend this form of treatment, as it clears the nasal passages and soothes the respiratory system by removing irritants. The solution can help to clear the passages and reduces some of the inflammation the irritants cause. You can buy this ready made or your can add a teaspoon of salt (not table salt) to a pint of warm, distilled water and add a pinch of baking soda. Gently sniff a little of the solution into one nostril, allowing it to drain back out through the mouth or the nose – you should aim to do this twice a day if possible.

2 - Wash

It may seem like a simple step, but having a shower or a bath can really help if you have allergies. This is because pollen can stick to your clothes and hair throughout the day, meaning your symptoms get progressively worse throughout the day and into the evening. If you wake up in the middle of the night with a coughing fit, a hot shower can work wonders by removing the pollen residues on your body and even removing them from your sinuses through the steam. The warm water will also help you drift off to a peaceful sleep as well afterwards.

3 – Mind the air

Being careful about the air may seem like an impossible task, but it’s really far simpler than it sounds. It really means watching out for triggers which will make your symptoms worse. For example, if the pollen count is particularly high, you may want to stay indoors or limit your time by parks and gardens where it will make your reactions more severe. You can easily check these online or even download an app which will alert you to airborne triggers. Likewise, be aware inside the home as well – why not try keeping fresh air flowing through your home to stop dust and mould spores from building, which can make your allergies worse, especially for people with asthma. Lastly, avoid tobacco smoke which can act as an irritant – if your friends or family smoke, be sure to keep your distance when they’re smoking to avoid the risk of an attack.

Categories: allergy, lifestyle, Pollen

Adult Pollen Allergies Are Easy To Spot With These Signs

Studies show that around 40 million Americans suffer from an allergy to pollen, which can include seasonal allergies, hay fever and allergic rhinitis. Whichever term you use for it, pollen allergies can span the simply irritating symptoms which ruin the summer season to potentially fatal conditions. The allergens are egg-shaped cells which originate in flowering plants and are carried on the wind or by insects. In the summer, these are particularly rife and can make the seasons difficult for those with allergies to these cells. Grass pollen is one of the most common triggers for these allergies, closely followed by elm, hickory, ash, oak and walnut trees, to name but a few. Most trees release pollen early in the year, generally from January to August. After this stage in the year, the grass pollens take over between May and August. Pollen allergy symptoms are also triggered by ragweed later in the year, during autumn. This means that those suffering with an allergy are rarely without a trigger, making being outdoors difficult. Knowing when you get your worse symptoms, though, can help you narrow down which allergies you have – for example, if your allergies are worse in the beginning of the year, you’re probably allergic to tree pollen.

The allergens produced by pollen are seen as invaders by the immune system, which causes it to release histamine to try and block them from entering the body. Histamin causes your blood vessels to dilate, which can lead to itchy eyes, nose and throat, as well as sniffled and sneezing. Vein congestion in the face can also cause dark circles to form, known as allergic shiners. Some sufferers may be familiar with sinus infections too, due to the swelling of the nasal membranes. If people have asthma, they’ll probably find that pollen allergies can trigger or worsen an attack – people with asthma are more likely to develop other conditions too, such as hay fever. If you have asthma, it’s worth checking the pollen count in the summer season in order to reduce the risk of an attack by being prepared or avoiding grassy areas, such as the local park.

Many people mistake allergy symptoms for the common cold, but if you’ve had the symptoms for more than a few days and it hasn’t dissipated, then it may be worth checking with your GP to see if you have a pollen allergy. Allergy specialists can run quick and efficient tests to determine if you are in fact allergic to pollen, as well as seeing which types of pollen are particular triggers for histamine. Since pollen isn’t particularly harmful to the body, you can get over the counter anti-histamines which can help you to reduce your symptoms and control your condition. Natural remedies have been discovered to be very effective, too. A European herb known as Butterbur can be used up to four times a day and offers a similar effect to anti-histamines. Likewise, grape seed extract or guercetin supplements could provide the same effect.  Vitamin C and saline sprays are commonly recommended by GP, too. The latter can wash pollen from your airways, as well as reducing mucus and resorting moisture to the nasal passages. You can make up your own by mixing a few teaspoons of non-iodised salt (such as kosher salt) with a teaspoon or baking soda and a pint of water – mix together and add to a spray bottle or a bulb syringe to apply. There are even free apps which you can download to your phone to warn you of pollen counts and airborne allergens when they are particularly high.

Categories: allergy, hayfever, Pollen

The Decret to Breathing Easy Throughout Pollen Season

Having asthma can be difficult, and never more so than during pollen season. Around 75 percent of those who suffer from asthma have a type known as allergic asthma, where their wellbeing is affected by airborne irritants, such as pollen.

Of these, very few sufferers know what exactly it is that they are allergic to, and what they can do to help improve their wellness. As a result of this, over half of the people who suffer from asthma have at least one asthma attack every year. This can be extremely serious, as during an asthma attack the airways are swollen and constricted and find it difficult to breathe. This leads to many emergency room admissions and unfortunately it also is the cause of death in thousands of cases every year.

Learning how to identify and avoid the factors that trigger your asthma is not something to take lightly then, and setting up a treatment plan for your asthma could literally save your life.

The most common allergens include pollen, mold, dust mites, pets and household pests, so these are the first things to look for when trying to identify your source. Keep a diary of your asthma, noting when it is at its worst and what was happening at the time, and you may begin to identify patterns that surprise you. For example, you may notice that your wheezing feelings most commonly occur when you are outside on a day when there is high pollen in the air, or you may find that a visit to a friend who has pets is the normal trigger. Alternatively, it may occur when you are changing the bed and therefore exposed to dust mites, or when you are working in damp conditions, such as around pot plants.

Once you have identified the trigger, you can then work on reducing it. You will be able to avoid some of the triggers, such as keeping away from pets, buying anti-allergy bedding or getting someone else to cut the grass in your garden. There are also various different treatment options that can be prescribed by your GP.

The Decret to Breathing Easy Throughout Pollen Season

Categories: allergies, Asthma, Pollen