With summers just around the corner and lockdown gradually being lifted in many parts of the UK, it feels like life is eventually returning to normal.
But the arrival of summers brings with it the dread of seasonal allergies that can ruin the fun of finally getting some outdoor time.
The thought of itchy eyes and throat, runny (or worse) stuffy nose, clogged up sinuses and constant sneezing might make you feel beat down even after lockdown days are over.
Let’s learn more about seasonal allergies and how you can manage them this season (and every allergy season to come!).
Seasonal allergies, also known as ‘Hay Fever’ and ‘Allergic Rhinitis’, are allergic reactions that come and go as the season changes.
These allergic reactions are caused by certain ‘Allergens’, which is a term used for substances that are treated as a threat by those suffering from allergies.
Depending on which season it is, an allergy may be caused by pollen from trees, weeds or grasses. Summer allergies are mostly caused by pollen from grasses such as Bermuda, sweet vernal and Johnson grass as well as that from weeds such as Russian thistle and English plantain.
As soon as the body detects that it has been exposed to an allergen, the immune system kicks off the process of eliminating it. This process involves releasing chemicals known as ‘Histamines’ which are responsible for those allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes.
Depending on where you reside and the specific allergen that triggers your allergies, you may have seasonal allergies at different times of the year.
This is because the pollen season varies between different parts of the country and may affect you accordingly. Moreover, you may be allergic to more than one type of pollen which can have an effect on when you develop an allergy.
But the question remains, why do you get them in the first place?
Not everyone has allergies, but the ones who have them have usually inherited the tendency from their parents. Note that people only inherit the tendency to have allergies. But the specific allergen they get allergic to may be different from that of their parents.
Additionally, you may even develop new allergies throughout your life that you had never experienced before.
But apart from genetic factors, the main reason you have allergies is that your immune system has gone into overdrive. Normally, our immune system works to fight off bacteria and other pathogens, thereby keeping us protected from these harmful substances.
However, sometimes the immune system starts treating innocuous substances such as tree pollen as a threat to our body. This leads to an allergic reaction and causes inflammation, particularly in the nasal passages.
Okay, we got it. That annoying allergic reaction may be passed on in your genes and now your immune system is working overtime without any reason.
How do you manage this situation?
Well, the conventional treatment for allergies comprises of antihistamines, decongestants, corticosteroid nasal sprays and other allergy medications.
In severe cases and if other treatment options prove ineffective, allergen immunotherapy may also be helpful for some people.
But there are some other, not-to-mention ‘natural’, ways to go about it as well.
First and foremost, it’s critical to identify what has been causing your allergies and then stay away from those allergens for your own safety.
The more you can distance yourself from a particular allergen that triggers your allergies, the safer you can be.
Secondly, you can make a sinus rinse kit at home to give yourself some saline irrigation. To prepare your own rinse, put together one-half teaspoon non-iodinated salt with one-half teaspoon baking soda in eight ounces of distilled or boiled water.
This mixture rinses out allergens and decreases the amount of inflammation (edema) caused by them.
But that’s not all!
We’re big fans of turmeric and talk a lot about it.
But that’s because it’s such a stellar food when it comes to our health and wellbeing that we just couldn’t help mentioning it.
The active compound in turmeric, called curcumin, has anti-bacterial, antiviral and anti-allergic properties.
We discussed earlier that an allergic reaction occurs when our immune system goes haywire and starts treating otherwise harmless substances as a threat.
Turmeric acts as a natural antihistamine. It regulates the hyperactive immune response to allergens and inhibits the release of histamines from mast cells (these histamines are the reason you experience those terrible allergy symptoms).
Consequently, turmeric not only helps relieve allergy symptoms but also reduces the inflammation caused by allergies.
It can also help reduce the itching that’s so common with an allergic reaction.
Turmeric can be consumed in many forms. It’s a very popular ingredient in South Asian cuisines where no dish is complete without a dash of turmeric.
However, if you don’t want to include turmeric in your food, you can consume turmeric milk, teas and water and may even try taking it with apple cider vinegar and honey.
But the most effective way to consume turmeric and benefit from its anti-allergic properties is in supplement form.
Supplements are expertly formulated with high-strength ingredients for maximum absorption and bioavailability.
Sash Vitality’s Organic Turmeric Capsules are similarly formulated with black pepper which contains piperine to help curcumin absorb in your body. Curcumin is normally very poorly absorbed in our body. The piperine in black pepper helps boost this absorption by up to 2000%.
Sash Vitality’s Organic Turmeric Capsules are 100% natural, vegan and free from additives and preservatives that may also cause allergies to some people.
We specialise in organic turmeric capsules and are dedicated to helping you provide with the easiest way to consume your daily dose of high strength organic turmeric...
...without the hassle of preparing elaborate dishes with turmeric that can easily stain almost anything it comes into contact with.
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