by Hayley Imbriani, LMT
Allergy season is
upon us, but right now with the current situation, you may be afraid to even
sneeze or sniffle in public. Rest assured, you are not the only one. This is
the time of year where it’s starting to get warmer and—especially in Florida—that
means allergens like mold and pollen are becoming more active. The flowers are
blooming, and what should be a beautiful time of year can be a giant struggle
for allergy sufferers.
What can my
symptoms mean? Coughing, sneezing, runny nose and breathing problems are
symptoms people might relate to being sick with an infection or cold. These
symptoms are common for allergy sufferers as well. Respiratory issues are
common for those with asthma which can be worsened in the presence of seasonal
allergens.
The presence of a
fever is one of the main ways to tell if you have something more going on. This
can give you a clue that your body may be fighting something more than an
allergy.
The color of your
nose and throat mucus is another way of knowing. This can tell a lot about the current
state of your body: clear and runny is very common when it’s allergy
related; dark green, red or yellow is an indicator that something more
serious may be happening. Eating certain
foods can create more mucus in your body. Food sensitivities could be behind
this.
A sore throat is
another symptom that is almost always mistaken for a cold. If you have a sore
throat, don’t panic! I often see my patients get sore throats randomly when
they are exposed to allergens, irritants and even foods that their bodies are
sensitive to, especially if they eat foods like sugar, grains or dairy. Pay attention to which foods you have eaten
and how long the sore throat lasts. If it randomly turns on and lasts for one or
maybe two days, it is more likely a reaction to something to which you were
exposed. If it lasts more than a few days and is accompanied with other
symptoms like fever and body aches, then you are most likely dealing with an
immune weakness or battle.
Pay attention to patterns. Another way to
understand allergies is to look at past experiences. Does this happen to you
every year at this time, and have you always been more sensitive to certain
items?
Chemicals in the air.
With the increase in precautions against COVID-19, there has been a drastic
increase in the use of hand sanitizers, disinfectants, bleach, alcohol and other
strong chemicals. These chemicals can stress the body and create respiratory
issues, sinus congestion, headaches and even coughing, especially with constant
exposure.
- Hydrogen
Peroxide
- Vinegar
- Essential
Oils
- Tea
Tree
- On
Guard
- Lemon
- Thieves
- Peppermint
I fill a spray bottle with a mixture of vinegar, water, tea tree oil
and Thieves and use this to keep my home clean. You can find helpful natural
cleaning product recipes online. Oil brands that have been effective include Do-Terra
and Young Living.
USEFUL TIPS
Avoid foods high
in refined/processed sugars, grains and dairy. These foods will actually
stimulate inflammatory conditions and can create mucus buildup in the body.
This inflammatory response is what can cause allergy symptoms to manifest.
Drink hot lemon
water. This natural trick helps the body cut down on mucus. It also helps
organs—like your liver and kidneys—filter better. Congestion of these organs can
lead to allergy symptoms.
Granger Health is located at 205 S. Myrtle Ave., Clearwater. If you need help with handling your allergies, call
today to set up an appointment, 727-248-0930 or visit GrangerHealth.com.
