The dry climate in Boise is about to really take hold and that means allergy season is going to kick into high gear.
According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), over half of Americans are allergic to one or more allergens. It’s never more apparent than during spring and summer in Boise, when seasonal allergies are likely to flare up.
Aside from the lousy, coldlike symptoms that allergies provoke (sneezing, congestion, watery/itchy eyes, runny nose, etc.), allergies can cost you days at work and money to seek out solutions. In fact, according to AAAAI, allergies may cost Americans close to $8 billion a year in costs related to direct care and lost work productivity.
If you live in the United States, chances are you have allergies. At least, that’s the finding from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III).
According to NHANES III, the top four most common allergens include:
- Dust mites
- Rye
- Ragweed
- Cockroaches
About 25 percent of Americans tested positive to each one. Least common was the peanut, with only 9 percent reacting positively.
As for food allergies, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network says that eight foods account for 90 percent of all foodrelated allergic reactions:
As pollen, and other allergens peak in Boise this spring, those with allergies should stay indoors as much as possible (or if you can’t resist venturing outside, at least shower and wash your clothing afterward).
Staying indoors when pollen counts are high is one of the best ways to prevent allergy symptoms.
- Milk
- Egg
- Peanut
- Tree nut (walnut, cashew, etc.)
- Fish
- Shellfish Soy Wheat
While it would seem that, with so many people suffering from allergies, we would be well prepared as a population to handle them and know their causes, this is not the case. Nearly half (49 percent) of allergy sufferers wait until symptoms occur to take action, rather than using preventative measures. This is unfortunate when it’s so easy to do! Increasing immune function will help reduce or eliminate allergies altogether.
I’ve had dozens of patients over the years tell me their allergies were reduced or eliminated during and after chiropractic care. What’s funny is that no a single person told me they had allergies to start with or wanted treatment for allergies! Boosting the body’s internal ability to heal and function is what chiropractic does and it shows in cases like this.
Minimize your allergies with these 12 tips, however, the best tip is…boost your immune system with wholesome foods and chiropractic care to ensure your body functions at it’s best so you can enjoy life to the fullest:
1. Keep your windows closed to keep pollen out (this is especially important from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. when plants release most of their pollen).
2. Use your air conditioner instead of opening windows, and ideally use an air conditioner that has an allergyreducing HEPA filter in it.
3. Check the daily pollen and mold counts (AAAAI’s National Allergy Bureau has daily pollen counts for locations across the country). If counts are high, stay indoors as much as possible. Also stay indoors if it’s windy, as dust and pollen will be blown about.
4. Clean your home frequently to reduce pollen, mold, dust and other allergens.
5. Wash your bedding once a week in hot water to help get rid of dust mites and other allergy triggers.
Some people face worse allergy flareups in the fall than the spring.
6. Shower before you go to bed. This will help wash away any pollen, mold and other allergens that have accumulated in your hair and on your body.
7. Always wash your clothes after spending time outdoors to remove pollen and other allergens.
8. Have someone else mow your lawn. Cutting the grass will expose you to a host of pollens and molds (the same goes for raking leaves in the fall).
9. Wipe off surfaces you touch often. Surfaces such as computer keyboards, countertops, furniture, door handles and appliances can be loaded with allergens. When you touch these areas, the allergens are transferred to your hands and then likely to your eyes, nose and mouth, potentially worsening your symptoms. Giving these a wipe with a microfiber cloth can keep all types of allergens to a minimum.
11. Resist the temptation to hang your clothes out in the sun to dry. When you bring them inside, they’ll be covered in pollen and mold.
12. Get away for a while. If you can spare a few weeks, great, but even a weeklong vacation to a lowpollen area (such as a beach) can be a muchneeded reprieve.
Article adapted from Dr. Mancini (see linked article)
