Sneezing, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, headache, sinus pain and pressure, and increased asthma symptoms - the symptoms of Spring and Fall allergies are the same, but the causes are different. If you thought you were safe from these symptoms because you didn’t have them in Spring, think again. There are other culprits that can cause allergies in the Autumn months - and for many allergy sufferers, a first step is to avoid allergy triggers.
But what if you can’t avoid them all the time? What can you do? If seasonal allergies differ do we need to treat them differently?
Here are a few ways to help you and your family enjoy the Autumn season - and sniff through it less.
Fall allergy triggers
Changing seasons in Sudbury, Ontario can often include a change in allergies. Just when you thought you had them under control, the natural cycle of our environment creep up to create a whole new set of sensitivities and reactions. There are naturally more airborne allergens in the waning of Summer and the Autumn for a few reasons:
Pollens, like those from ragweed, are airborne this time of year, particularly in windy weather.
Warm, wet weather is the perfect environment for mold spores, which thrive in early fall and can be kicked up in yards full of fallen leaves and damp grasses as well as in dark damp places indoors.
Other indoor allergens intensify too, because as the weather cools, you’re more likely to close your windows and seal up your home, keeping whatever is already inside - or enters into - your home, settled there.
Where there is dust, there are dust mites. When old comforters and quilts come out of storage the natural occurrence of dust mites increases where you cuddle up most. Finally, your best friend may also be causing your allergies to worsen. As your pets coats shed and thicken in preparation for the winter months, dander and fur become a greater presence causing sniffles, sneezes, and itchy eyes.
Gain relief and control - naturally
Enjoying Autumnal weather for allergy sufferers might seem impossible but there are many natural ways to help you combat your symptoms so you can experience the fun of the outdoors - and indoors - this beautiful harvesting season!
Nutritional supplements
In naturopathic medicine, allergies are sometimes looked at alongside the adrenal, immune, and digestive systems. There are a number of nutritional supplements, vitamins, and minerals that may help support these systems, and that some people use to help manage seasonal allergy symptoms.
Bioflavonoids - While onions make our eyes tear up, they also contain the bioflavonoid quercetin, sometimes described as a natural antihistamine, which may help with allergy related itchy, watery eyes. Onions aren’t the only source of quercetin; apples, berries, cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, and black tea are good sources too. Bioflavonoids are often taken with vitamin C.
Multivitamins - Unless you’re eating a clean, healthy, unprocessed diet 100% of the time, you may be low in a few vitamins and minerals. A high potency multivitamin may help support your essential nutritional needs.
Probiotics (like lactobacillus acidophilus) when you take care of the good bacteria in the gut, your digestive system and your immunity may benefit, which may help with allergies by keeping inflammation at bay. Probiotics are naturally occurring in fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi and sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, pickles, and miso soup.
Vitamin A - This vitamin plays a role in how your gut responds to inflammation. The body cannot synthesize this vitamin on its own. So getting it from your diet, or from a supplement can be beneficial, but choose wisely, because vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin and overdoses could be toxic.
Vitamin C - This supplement may have multiple benefits! It may help reduce the formation of histamine. It is also known for its role in supporting your immune system. And it may support the action of bioflavonoids - in fact, you can purchase them separately or in combination.
Zinc - You might know that zinc lozenges are often used for scratchy throats that come with colds but did you know that sufficient zinc might help reduce allergies too? Zinc is important in how histamine is stored in the body. A deficiency means that more histamine can be released throughout the body, increasing your sensitivity to allergens overall.
Nasal irrigation
Flushing the nose with saline solution twice a day may help clear congestion causing allergens like pollen, spores, dust and dander before they can settle in and cause the symptoms that make it hard to enjoy the change of seasons.
Since your eyes, nose, and throat are connected, Nasal irrigation or using a Neti Pot may help remove allergens that can cause all kinds of congestion and discomfort from itchy ears and eyes, to sneezing and stuffiness, and even sore or itchy throats. If you choose to make your own saline solution, make sure the water you use is distilled or purified so no micro-organisms are present.
HEPA Filter
Open or closed, doors and windows as long as allergens are floating in the air, they’ll make a home inside your home. Using an air purifier with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter can significantly reduce airborne allergens like dust, dust mites, pollen, mold spores, and pet dander. HEPA filters trap these allergens and lock them away. If you’re particularly sensitive to allergens, it could also be helpful to use a vacuum cleaner that also has a HEPA filter so that you can allergen-proof your home even more.
Change and elimination diet
If your allergies are unbearable, and the above solutions fail to provide relief, it might be time to try an elimination diet, which aims to provide your gut the opportunity to heal and strengthen, in order to help your body better protect itself from sensitizing elements. In some cases, your practitioner may suggest an antibody response test to a list of foods and food groups. The results may help guide which foods to try avoiding.
Sensitivity to airborne allergens and sensitivity to certain foods may also be related. At the very least, when the body is already coping with one form of sensitivity, it makes it harder to fight off multiple ones - making allergy symptoms worse.
Good health often begins with good nutrition. For some people, removing certain foods from their diet may help improve overall health and allergy symptoms. Elimination diets can be challenging and are best implemented under the care of your integrative health team. Speak to your practitioner about whether an elimination diet could help you better manage your allergy symptoms this season.
Final thoughts
Natural treatments often take longer to take effect than typical medications. So, beginning natural treatments 1-2 months before the season begins can help prepare your body ahead of when allergens are at their most severe. Not sure you can wait that long for relief? You could also try pairing nasal irrigation or HEPA filter air purifiers with your nutritional supplement of choice. Just remember: more is not always better. It can help to choose only one or two dietary or ingestible supplements along with other efforts to physically remove potential allergens from your environment, breathe deep, and enjoy your Fall season!
Kivi Park, Bell Park, The Boardwalk, Laurentian Conservation, and so many more outdoor spaces for us to explore. Living in Sudbury is a gift. Walking may help reduce inflammatory cytokines, and may help your allergy symptoms.
Get out and enjoy our Sudbury!
Happy Fall Y’All!
The team at Pure Wellness
