Got Allergies? Tips on How to Fight Back

In Arizona, the fight against suffering from allergies can feel like a losing battle. Unfortunately, some allergy sufferers can experience symptoms all year long thanks to our mild climate. But it doesn’t compare with right now, at the beginning of May, when we happen to be smack-dab in the middle of the worst of the worst when it comes to allergy prevalence. In the spring, from February to June, is when pollen counts soar, and those allergic to trees or other plants are probably miserable.

Here are a few tips we tell our patients for fighting allergy symptoms:

See what’s coming

You can check your local pollen forecast – one page we like is weather.com (linked at the bottom of this article). Knowing what allergens will be in abundance ahead of time can help you plan your activities accordingly.
Purify where you can

Indoor air purifiers, specifically ones with a high efficiency particulate air (or, HEPA) filter can trap a large percentage of air particles including pollen and other allergens.
Food can help – maybe

The jury’s out on claims that certain foods can help relieve or prevent allergy symptoms. However, eating more healthfully can always help your body to perform at its best. Some studies show that foods that support the immune system and fight inflammation can help control allergy symptoms. Some examples include onions, pineapple, and other foods that are rich in probiotics, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Give ‘em a rinse

Your nasal passageways, that is. While this could be one of our least popular pieces of advice, we stand by it wholeheartedly. Nasal rinses are easy, inexpensive, and effective for cleansing airways of allergens. Whether you use a designated nasal rinse squeeze bottle or a neti pot, we tend to recommend this practice for all of our allergy-sufferers. If you’re unsure whether nasal rinses are right for you, don’t hesitate to ask your medical team at Fountain Hills Medical Center.
And give ‘em a wash

This time we’re talking about your clothing. By showering and changing clothing when you come in your front door, you’re helping to maintain a clean home, relatively free of pollen and other allergens. You can also use allergy season as good motivation to keep up with spring cleaning. We recommend regular vacuuming, dusting, and laundering your bedding, other blankets, and curtains if possible.

And if you think your allergies seem worse this year than in years past, you’re not imagining it! Due to climate change, regions across the world are experiencing warmer temperatures on average, which means growing seasons are longer, allowing plants more time to produce pollen.

Allergies in Phoenix can negatively affect your wellbeing in a variety of ways. We always want our patients to be living the best and most active life possible, and we encourage you to come to see us with all your allergy questions and concerns. In the meantime, we hope you find some of these tips helpful in your seasonal battle.