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Allergies - The REAL allergy solution & the side effects of Antihistamines

Allergies - The REAL allergy solution & the side effects of Antihistamines

It’s that time of the year again when everyone wants to be outdoors - except of course, if you are an allergy sufferer! While spring may bring about warmer weather and pretty blossoms, it is also a battle of allergy attacks for millions of people. The sneezing, coughing, wheezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, congestion, fatigue and fuzzy brain makes you feel like you have a permanent cold – these typical hay fever symptoms slow you down, sap your energy levels and leave you feeling lousy all of the time.

What is hay fever?

Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis is caused by an allergen, often pollen,that irritates the lining of your nasal passages, throat and eyes. Tree, grass and flower pollen are common triggers for people with hay fever. Your body sees pollen as a harmful substance and your immune system reacts as if it is been attacked by a virus. The immune system releases chemicals, histamine which causes your eyes to itch, the tissue in your nose to swell and run.

Pollen levels are highest on hot, windy days, particularly in the morning. More rain also means more pollen, so if you live in an area where you experience heavy rains during spring or summer   - you can definitely expect a bad bout of allergy attacks for that season.
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Do you know about the side effects of antihistamines?

Most hay fever sufferers feel so rotten and all they want is quick relief. Over-the-counter prescription medications as well as allergy shots help to minimise exposure and treat symptoms. These medications are usually antihistamines which are available in the form of tablets, capsules, liquids, nasal sprays, and eye drops. While antihistamines work well to block the allergy triggers, they also have side effects which can be detrimental to your health.
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Common side effects of antihistamines

Generally speaking, antihistamines are classed into ‘first generation’, second generation’ and ‘third generation’ categories, depending on the mode of action and the side effects they cause. While antihistamines can bring relief, they also come with unwanted side effects, depending on the type of antihistamine you are using. Some of these side effects are:

  • Sedation (sleepiness)
  • Headache
  • Insomnia
  • Constipation
  • Dry mouth
  • Abdominal pain
  • Agitation
  • Anxiety
  • Rapid heart beat

Alcohol and other medication can also exacerbate the side effects of antihistamines. The other problem with antihistamines is that they quickly lose their effectiveness as your body gets used to them. As soon as you find something that works for one season, it is suddenly less effective the next – leaving you constantly searching for relief!
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Is there a remedy? Natural Solutions for Allergies

If you are allergy prone, there are simple strategies and natural solutions to ease your hay fever – without the side effects of antihistamines:

  1. Know your allergy triggers
    If you suffer from hay fever in the spring, you are probably allergic to tree pollens while grass pollens may cause allergic reactions in summer. Weed pollens may bother you in autumn and people with year round hay fever may be allergic to allergens found indoors, such as pets or house dust. Be on the look out for culprits like mould in bathrooms and damp areas, dust mites and pet dander which can breed in carpets, pillows, bedding, curtains and upholstery.

  2. Keep a diary
    Monitor your hay fever episodes and keep a diary of when they occur.

  3. Prevention is better than cure!
    Start taking a natural allergy remedy such as AllergiClear from the Feelgood Health range a few weeks before hay fever season to prevent a nasty reaction. AllergiClear contains natural antihistamine properties without causing drowsiness. If you are prone to asthma, use a herbal respiratory tonic like our BioVent to open your airways and prevent bronchial spasms. People with eczema also experience bad flare-ups during allergy season when itching becomes a nightmare. Our BaoCare Eczema Skin Care and Skin Dr together will soothe itchy, irritated skin in no time! It’s also the perfect skincare combination to use for babies and children who suffer with eczema.  
     
  4. Do not let the outside air in
    Allergy sufferers often open their windows to allow air to enter their home, office or car – huge mistake! By allowing air in, you are also allowing the pollen in which then attaches itself onto your clothes, furniture and other surroundings. Your eyes may also become itchy and watery and our Silverlab Colloidal Silver Liquid will soothe and relieve itchy and bloodshot eyes. Don’t forget to keep your windows closed and use an air conditioner instead – but make sure it is cleaned regularly to prevent circulating allergens in your home.
     
  5. Check pollen counts
    If you are travelling to a different area, check the pollen counts on your local TV news channel. Of course, you can’t also allow your hay fever allergy to take over your life – if pollen counts are high, make sure that you don’t spend too much time outside. For people with allergies going on vacation, you may want to choose a destination near the sea side where pollen counts are usually lower. 
     Always keep a bottle of AllisOne Immuno Synergy or SOS HistaDrops with you to relieve hay fever symptoms quickly and effectively.  These are two natural remedies from Feelgood Health that work quickly to stop the allergy response (itchy watering eyes and nose, sneezing) when it flares up. AllisOne Immuno Synergy is especially useful for pregnancy and young children as it is a combination of tissue salts and alcohol free so will not interact with any other medication
     
  6. Exercise in the afternoon
    Move your exercise work out or outdoor activities to the afternoon when pollen counts are lower. Pollen counts tend to be higher in the mornings, particularly between 5 to 10 a.m. If your allergies are really bad, working out indoors may be a better option. Remember not to cut exercise out all together (as people naturally do when they aren’t feeling well) – exercise is good for you, lifts your spirits and helps your chest and nose too.
     
  7. Strip down and shower
    Allergy specialists always recommend that at the end of the day you remove the clothes you’ve worn, toss them in the laundry basket, and then jump straight into a shower. It’s very important to wash the pollens off thoroughly as these tiny particles cling to your body and hair – taking a shower just before getting into bed is ideal.

Following these allergy prevention tips and using the natural remedies for allergies that we have recommended can help to keep allergies at bay naturally without the side effects of antihistamines – and have you enjoying spring along with the rest of us in no time!
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