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Seasonal Allergies Are Nothing to Sneeze At!

Don't let life get irritating. When those irritants–also called allergens–cause your body's immune system to overreact, you can develop allergy symptoms which may include sneezing...nasal congestion...itchy, watery eyes...runny nose...scratchy throat...itchy skin...or fatigue.

An estimated 50 million Americans (1 in 6) suffer from allergies which account for over 17 million outpatient visits per year. Allergies are also a major cause of work absenteeism, resulting in nearly 4 million missed workdays each year.

No matter the season—whether we are indoors or out—there's a potential for problems. Anything can be the culprit behind your discomfort: from mold, mildew, and ragweed to more surprising factors like your pet or even your Christmas tree! But there are simple strategies that can help deal with these problems.

So, in this month's Live Well newsletter, we're going to show you how to "clear the air" and breathe a little easier. We'll take a look at common causes of allergies and help you find some much-needed relief.

Vita Sondors, Publisher

Your "Allergy Busters" Toolkit

Bonus Tip
Allergy-Proof Your Home Room by Room
http://www.everydayhealth.com/solutions/tools/respiratory-allergies/allergy-proof-your-home/

Tool 3: Oversized Sunglasses
Wearing oversized sunglasses when you're outdoors helps prevent dust, mold spores, pollen and other irritants from blowing in your eyes—especially if you wear contacts.

Because the surface of contact lenses can attract and accumulate airborne allergens, consider wearing only eyeglasses during allergy season.

Or consider switching to daily disposable contacts that you discard after a single use to avoid the build-up of allergens and other debris on your lenses.

Tool 4: Facemasks
Wear a filter mask when mowing the lawn or doing other chores outdoors. There are numerous styles and types of masks that can be utilized to control dust and pollen, ranging from simple paper masks to neoprene sport masks. Masks that cover the nose and mouth with a filter will provide relief for those looking to reduce the amount of dust and pollutants being inhaled. Stay inside midday and during the afternoon, when pollen counts are highest.

Tool 5: The Neti Pot
Neti pots look like little teapots with long spouts and are used to rinse the nasal passages with a saline (salt-based) solution. They have become popular as a treatment for congested sinuses, colds and allergies.

To use the neti pot, tilt your head sideways over a sink and place the spout of the neti pot in your upper nostril. Breathing through your open mouth, gently pour the saltwater solution into your upper nostril so that the liquid drains through your lower nostril. Repeat on the other side.

To learn more, read these step-by-step instructions and be sure to follow all precautions:
https://www.mylifestages.org/health/allergies/how_to_neti.page

Rest Easier Despite Your Allergies

One of the biggest problems faced by people with allergies is getting a goodnight's sleep. There are a lot of simple things you can do as part of your nightly routine that can help you rest more soundly and feel better in the morning.

Avoid the Evening Night Cap
Drinking alcohol increases blood flow to your nasal passages and can make congestion worse. Beer and red wine also have naturally occurring histamines that are a result of the fermentation process as well as sulfites that aggravate allergy symptoms.

Shower
By showering and washing your hair before bedtime, you remove any pollen you've personally collected during the day. This way you keep it from being deposited on your pillow where it can act as an all-night irritant.

Use a eucalyptus-based soap or shampoo, or try hanging a bundle of eucalyptus from your shower rod. The warm water and aromatic herb combine to soothe your scratchy throat and open your sinuses.

Clean Your Eyes
Baby shampoo helps decrease eye allergy symptoms by removing pollen or other irritants from contact with your eyes.

Dilute the shampoo as you would when washing your hands with liquid soap. Then use your finger tips, a wash cloth, cotton tip or small cotton pad to clean around your eyes right up to the edges of the eyelids. Rinse with warm water.

De-Stress
Stress makes allergies worse and quality sleep more difficult to come by. Rubbing your ears is highly therapeutic and relaxing. Use your thumbs and the outside edge of your index fingers to rub and gently pull your ears from top to bottom for 1 to 2 minutes.

You can also use the tips of your index fingers to rub the inside surface of both ears. Start at the ear opening and work your way to the outside edge. Be sure to rub all the curves and folds of each ear, including behind your ears.

Bonus Tip
Acupressure and Reflexology for Stress: It's Easy and It Works!
http://www.chinese-holistic-health-exercises.com/reflexology-for-anxiety.html

TESTIMONIAL GOES HERE

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Live Well: Hints for Healthy Living
How Does Your Garden Grow?

Even if you have outdoor allergies, there are many plants you can grow in your home garden. There will still be allergens in the air because of certain plants in the neighborhood or even the entire community, but you can limit the allergens produced in your home plots.

Among these types of plants are several bright colored flowers, fruit trees and shrubs. Ask any nursery expert or a local horticulturalist to help you identify these types of plants and make a list of those you'd like to see in your garden plan.

Here are the "garden friends" that won't contribute to your allergies:

Flowering Plants—Begonia, Cactus, Chenille, Clematis, Columbine, Crocus, Daffodil, Daisy, Dusty Miller, Geranium, Hosta, Impatiens, Iris, Lily, Pansy, Periwinkle, Petunia, Phlox, Rose, Salvia, Snapdragon, Sunflower, Thrift, Tulip, Verbena, Zinnia
Grasses—St. Augustine
Shrubs—Azalea, Boxwood, English Yew, Hibiscus, Hydrangea, Viburnum
Trees—Apple, Cherry, Chinese Fan Palm, Fern Pine, Dogwood, English Holly, Hardy Rubber Tree, Magnolia, Pear, Plum, Red Maple

Happy Life Tips

Hypoallergenic or Over-Hyped?

If you're an animal lover who is allergic to dogs or cats, think twice before springing for an expensive allergen-free breed. They simply don't exist.

"Hypoallergenic" means fewer allergens, not allergen-free.

The allergens that activate an allergic reaction are in the pet's dander, and are derived from proteins in the skin, saliva and urine. When an animal licks itself, the allergens are released into the air.

The best way to control allergens—whether your pet is hypoallergenic or not – is to bathe them regularly to reduce dander. It's also wise to make your bedroom a "no pet zone" and use a HEPA air filter to alleviate some of your symptoms.

Bonus Tip
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
http://www.petmd.com/dog/wellness/evr_dg_hypoallergenic_dog_breeds

Hypoallergenic Cat Breeds
http://www.petmd.com/cat/wellness/evr_ct_hypoallergenic_cat_breeds

Why Do We Sneeze?
A sneeze begins with a tickling sensation in the nasal nerve endings that sends a message to your brain that it needs to get rid of something irritating the lining of your nose. You first take a deep breath and hold it, which tightens your chest muscles. The air pressure in your lungs increases, you close your eyes, your tongue presses against the roof of your mouth and suddenly your breath rushes out through your nose.

Fun Facts about Sneezing
http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/sneeze.html



"Eight out of 10 people in the United States are exposed to dust mites in their home"
—Asthma Allergy Foundation