Spring Allergies: Causes, Signs and Natural Remedies for Allergies

For some people, the first signs of spring are flowers blooming and birds chirping.

But if you have seasonal allergies, your first indications that winter is coming to a close are far less picturesque.

Instead, it might be the sight of used tissues piling up and the sounds of sneeze after sneeze that signal spring has sprung in your house.

If allergies tend to hold you back from experiencing what should be a magical time of year, keep reading to learn what might be causing your allergies and how you can alleviate them naturally.

What causes allergies and what are the signs of spring allergies?

Pollen is behind the bulk of springtime allergies, along with mold to a smaller extent.

It makes sense when you think about it: plants and trees release their pollen into the air when spring starts, while some types of fungi produce mold spores.

If you happen to be allergic to any of these, your immune system will release allergic antibodies in an aim to get rid of the threat.

As part of the attack, your body releases histamine, and that’s what causes the allergic symptoms to take place.

Histamine makes your eyes and the lining of your nose swell up and get red to stop further allergens from getting through, so it’s actually trying to help you – even if it doesn’t really feel too helpful.

And that sneezing you experience? It’s just your body’s way of getting irritating allergens out of your nasal passages.

So as annoying as these signs of seasonal allergies are, they’re actually a good thing!

When do spring allergies occur?

I realize that sounds like a silly question. Of course they occur in spring, but precisely when it begins can vary depending on where you live.

For example, spring allergies might begin as early as February if you live in a warmer part of the world, and they could persist well into the summer depending on the reproductive cycle of the plants in your area.

It can even vary from day to day. Dry and warm days are perfect for pollen to proliferate, and if it’s windy, you’re really in for it!

On the other hand, a rainy and damp day should help keep pollen down.

You can check national allergy maps like the one at Pollen.com to see pollen count forecasts; some weather apps will also show you this information for your area.

How can I get allergy relief?

Avoiding allergens is the best course of action here, but I realize that’s easier said than done. No one expects you to stay inside all spring – what fun would that be?

Thankfully, there are a few natural remedies for allergies that can help keep your symptoms under control.

• HEPA filters: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in your home can greatly reduce allergens inside by trapping airborne irritants like pet dander, dust and pollen.

• Get your timing right: If you exercise outdoors, avoid peak times when pollen counts are higher, typically from 11am to 3pm. Your best bet is to go for a jog early in the morning (before 9am) or in the evening (after 7pm). Timing it after it’s rained is even better.

• Don’t bring pollen inside: When you come inside, make sure you’re not bringing pollen in with you. Remove your outdoor clothing right away and wash it before wearing it again, keep your shoes outside, and wash your hair after being outdoors.

• Make friends with the washer and vacuum: Change your bedding, wash your floors, and vacuum any furniture made with soft materials and your curtains regularly. If you’re also allergic to dust, consider getting someone else to dust the house for you, like your partner or a cleaning service.

• Probiotics: A review that looked at 23 different studies showed that probiotics could help to improve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, so eat some sauerkraut, miso or vegan kefir.

• Watch for pets: If your pets go outdoors like my dog Mr Marley does, be sure to wipe their coat down with a damp towel to remove any pollen before they come back inside.

Can a whole food, plant-based diet help with seasonal allergies?

Studies comparing vegetarians to non-vegetarians found that women who ate meat had a 30 percent higher chance of chemical allergies as well as 24 percent more asthma and 15 percent more hay fever.

In short, a plant-based diet seems to have a favorable effect on allergies in general.

But there are a few specific ways that eating a WFPB diet can provide additional allergy relief.

This way of eating means you’ll naturally be consuming foods with the right nutrients to help your body through allergy season. Here are just a few of them:

• Bromelain: This enzyme, which is found in pineapple and papaya, can help improve your breathing by keeping swelling down.

• Vitamin C: Consuming plenty of vitamin C can keep your histamine levels down, so turn to whole foods such as red peppers, kiwis, oranges, and strawberries.

• Omega 3 fatty acids: By lowering inflammation in the bloodstream, foods like walnuts, chia, pumpkin seeds, and flax can help reduce allergies.

• Beta glucans: The beta glucans in nutritional yeast have been shown in studies to reduce allergy symptoms.

• Natural anti-inflammatories: Garlic and turmeric are anti-inflammatory foods that can reduce your allergic response in pollen season, making them excellent natural remedies for seasonal allergies.

• Selenium: This is another powerful antioxidant that can reduce your allergic response and inflammation. Get it from Brazil nuts, mushrooms, flax, oatmeal and spinach.

• Quercetin: Quercetin, an antioxidant found in onions, berries, apples, grapes, broccoli and tea, reduces the inflammatory response throughout your entire body including those caused by the higher histamine levels of allergic responses.

Don’t let spring allergy season keep you from living your fullest life. If you take some simple precautions and eat a whole food, plant-based diet, you can enjoy this time of renewal and experience all the natural beauty God has given us without sneezing and blowing your nose the whole time!