Health & Beauty: Managing Allergies

How to Reduce the symptoms of Allergy Season

The runny nose, and random bouts of choking on absolutely nothing are prevailing right now. Just about everybody I know has mentioned that they are feeling the effects of our plant friends getting freaky. 🤧🙃 

Allergy season can be a miserable time for those who suffer from allergies. The symptoms can be anything from a runny nose and itchy eyes to a full-blown asthma attack. One of the main causes of allergy symptoms is histamine, a chemical that is released by the body when it comes into contact with an allergen. There are a number of things you can do to reduce histamine levels and relieve allergy symptoms.

Avoid foods that are high in histamine

Some foods, such as aged cheeses, red wine, and processed meats, are high in histamine. Eating these foods can trigger allergy symptoms in some people.

Getting adequate rest

When you're sleep-deprived, your body is more likely to produce histamine. Getting enough sleep can help to reduce histamine levels and improve allergy symptoms.

Manage stress

Stress can also trigger allergy symptoms. Finding ways to manage stress, such as exercise, yoga, or meditation, can help to reduce histamine levels and improve allergy symptoms.

Vitamin C, zinc, and gut dysbiosis (disruption of your gut bacteria/ microbiome) 

In addition to the tips above, there are a number of other things you can do to help reduce histamine levels ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Taking vitamin C

Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine that can help to reduce histamine levels. You can get vitamin C from fruits and vegetables, such as citrus fruits, broccoli, and leafy greens. You can also take vitamin C supplements.

Zinc

Zinc is another mineral that can help to reduce histamine levels. You can get zinc from foods such as oysters, red meat, and poultry. You can also take zinc supplements.

 

Managing gut dysbiosis

Gut dysbiosis, or an imbalance of gut bacteria, can contribute to allergies. There are a number of things you can do to manage gut dysbiosis, such as eating a healthy diet, taking probiotics, and avoiding antibiotics when possible.

If all else fails...

Over-the-counter antihistamines, such as Zyrtec and Claritin, can help to block the effects of histamine and relieve allergy symptoms. In my experience I always drink plenty of water while taking antihistamines because they can dry out your mouth, nose and throat. 

By following these tips, you can help to reduce histamine levels and improve allergy symptoms. If your allergy symptoms are severe or do not improve with home treatment, talk to your doctor about other treatment options. Good luck out there! I hope this helps 🙏 💕 

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