Sadly, allergies have reached epidemic proportions in today’s world. Itchy eyes, excessive sneezing, mucus build-up, rashes, and congestion are just a few of the symptoms that many of us suffer due to allergies. The majority of people all over the world suffer from allergic reactions that are very frustrating to handle. Although there are a variety of pills, sprays, lotions, and drops available to relieve the allergic reaction, natural ways can also be used to control allergies.
In this blog post, we will share five useful ways to keep your allergies under control.
Table of Contents
Five natural steps to control your allergies without medication
Let’s break down the steps to easing your allergies.
1. Watch What You Eat
One of the biggest causes of allergic reaction is the typical Western diet, heavy in sugar, refined carbohydrates, and processed foods.
Foods you know you are allergic to are strictly off the menu. But one of the simplest ways to help ease your allergies is to overhaul your eating regime.
Try switching to a Paleo-based eating plan based on fresh meats, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and eggs. This combination of moderate carbohydrates, fats, and proteins creates an ideal hormonal response that helps keep your body in balance.
How to Change Your Diet?
Consider cutting out the following:
- All types of sugar, a cause of inflammation in the body.
- Grains are converted by the body into simple sugars.
- Processed foods may contain chemicals, additives, and preservatives that can provoke an allergic response.
- Dairy products are known to cause mucous production.
Eating plenty of vegetables and low-glycaemic fruit such as apples, apricots, and firm pears, will also boost your intake of essential antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components, keeping your allergies at bay.
Let’s be clear, suffering from allergies can be miserable, but incorporating these simple natural strategies can boost your overall well-being.
2. Keep Stress Levels Under Control
Stress can have a knock-on effect on your immune system, meaning it’s easier for your allergies to take hold.
While there’s no evidence suggesting that chronic stress actually causes allergies, stress can certainly worsen symptoms for susceptible people.
A 2013 US study found that those who reported allergy symptoms had higher perceived stress scores than those who had no allergy symptoms. It concluded that people with ‘persistent emotional stress’ do have allergy flares more often. In addition, researchers have also found that lowering your stress can actually help reduce symptoms.
What You Can do to Lower Stress?
So, the point here is to always build in some downtime during your day.
It could be going out for a walk, doing some yoga/meditation, or listening to some soothing music. Simply taking time to relax will help counteract the negative impact stress could have on your allergic response.
3. Boost Your Immunity with Vitamins
Sometimes your body’s defense system becomes overloaded and needs a little help to manage allergies. Supplements offer the required assistance and boost your immunity.
Here are the supplements you should consider after consulting with your doctor:
Vitamin C: It is one of the biggest immune boosters and is also considered a natural anti-histamine.
Vitamin D: It is produced by the human body under sunlight and plays an essential role in combating allergies.
Omega-3: Essential fatty acids like omega-3 help stabilize inflammation. They are vital to manage allergies and support the major immune cells.
Probiotics: As much as 70-80% of a person’s immune cells are in the gut. Probiotics contain specific kinds of friendly bacteria that keep your gut and body healthy.
Vitamin B6: It is vital for supporting biochemical reactions in the immune system. Vitamin B6 deficiency can be associated with anemia and skin problems.
4. Stop Smoking
The harmful substances found in cigarette smoke constrict blood vessels, adversely affecting allergic conditions such as asthma, hay fever, and eczema.
When toxic irritants in cigarette smoke enter the blood, the body’s natural response is to try and remove them, which develops hypersensitivity to these chemicals. It can trigger an allergic reaction, causing itchy red eyes, cough, congestion, wheeziness, and a runny nose.
In more severe cases, Smoking can trigger issues such as asthma, severe coughing, and labored breathing.
How to stop smoking?
Let’s look at a few key points that can help quit Smoking.
Mark a date to stop and stick to it. Pick a day that is not too far in the future but gives you a little time to prepare. It is crucial to mark a date in a way that you can’t change your mind.
Tell your friends and family. It will give you the encouragement to not give up and provide welcome support.
Avoid nicotine replacement therapy. Stay away from patches, gums, sprays, and e-cigarettes – they keep your addiction alive.
Avoid your usual triggers. Identify the times you are most likely to smoke – and alter those habits.
5. Reduce Your Alcohol Intake
Beer, wine, and distilled spirits all contain histamine levels, the chemical responsible for causing allergic reactions. In the case of alcohol, the yeast and bacteria create the histamine during the fermentation process.
Red wine and beer also contain sulfites that can cause many allergic reactions like nasal swelling and itchy skin. In fact, a 2008 study found that alcohol consumption was linked to a higher risk of allergy symptoms.
How to Control Your Alcohol Intake?
Just like Smoking, this is also a broad topic. But let’s look at some key points.
Smaller is better. You can still enjoy a drink but make it a smaller one.
Pace yourself. Replace alcoholic drinks with a glass of water or a soft drink.
Pick low-alcohol drinks. Reduce the number of alcohol units you drink in an evening.
No alcohol days. Set aside certain days when you don’t drink.
Conclusion
Allergic reactions are widespread and distressing. Though medications are effective in controlling allergy, natural ways are equally efficient. Some helpful tips to control allergies without medication are mentioned in this blog. However, if they do not work or you want to discuss your allergies with an expert, visit Euromed Clinic Center.
Our doctors adopt a truly holistic approach which means your body and mind are in the best hands. Please call us or fill in the consultation form below to book an appointment with our doctors.