What Can Make Your Seasonal Allergies Worse?
By Sara Butler
Fall is knocking on the door, and with it comes seasonal allergies for many people. No one likes for their allergies to flare up, and many people take measures in order to prevent their allergies from really becoming a problem. There may be some things you are doing that are actually hurting you by making your allergies worse. Here are a few things you do every day you might want to reconsider.
Trigger Foods
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, if you’re allergic to pollen you may also cause a flare up of your allergies through something called oral-allergy syndrome. Some fruits and vegetables you buy down at the local farmer’s market have a protein on their surface that your body treats the same as the pollen you’re allergic too. Some foods you should be on the lookout for include:
- Apples
- Tomatoes
- Cantaloupe
Your body thinks you’re consuming pollen when you ingest this protein, and it can cause similar symptoms. So if you notice an itchy mouth, throat or have a cough after eating produce, this may be the reason why.
Wearing Contacts
When pollen counts spike, you may want to lay off wearing your contact lenses. Contacts can trap pollen under them, and that can trigger more allergic reactions -- making you even more miserable. Soft contacts are especially prone to absorbing pollen since they’re permeable. If you can’t live without your contacts, talk to your eye doctor about daily disposable lenses, which might just help.
Perfumes
Being around anything with added fragrance can irritate your nasal passages and eyelids. If you suffer from allergies it’s probably a good idea to steer clear of:
- Incense
- Scented candles
- Perfumes
- Scented holiday decorations
If you have any of these in your home you may want to get rid of them.
Chlorine
You don’t have to go swimming for chlorine to impact you if you have allergies; just sitting near a pool can be enough to make you miserable. Chlorine is an irritant and can have the same impact on your body as scented candles and perfumes. When your allergies flare, it’s probably a good idea to stay away from pools, especially indoor ones.
Many people struggle with seasonal allergies, but there are things you can do make them a less miserable experience. If you have other questions about the little things you can do to improve your allergies, talk to your chiropractor during your next visit to The Joint Chiropractic!
