When you think of Allergy Season you probably think of things like pollen, trees, grasses, and other common outdoor allergens. We focus so much on external allergens and try to limit our exposure to them, but what if there was a lot you could do to help your body naturally be less sensitive to these things? In this article we are going to discuss how you can take action to prepare your body for allergy season before it arrives!
Let’s make sure we are on the same page about what allergies are. According to Cleveland Clinic “Allergies are your body’s reaction to a foreign protein. Usually, these proteins (allergens) are harmless. However, if you have an allergy to a particular protein, your body’s defense system (immune system) overreacts to its presence in your body.”
Here we are already seeing the fact that there is an internal component to allergies. Let’s read some more about this from Mayo Clinic:
“The immune system makes protective proteins called antibodies that attack invaders such as germs. But with allergies, the immune system makes antibodies that mark a specific allergen as harmful, even though it isn’t. Coming into contact with the allergen causes an immune system reaction that can inflame the skin, sinuses, airways or digestive system.”
Allergies are due to our immune system going “haywire” in a way. These allergic reactions trigger inflammation. The good news is there is a lot you can do naturally to lower inflammation, support your immune system, and prepare your body in advance. Let’s talk about it:
Prepare Your Living Space
Outdoor allergens are already a lot of stress on your body, let’s make sure your own home is not another stressor and trigger for you. Things like dust, mold, chemical, and synthetic fragrances can all contribute to allergy symptoms in your house. It’s crucial to minimize allergens in your living space before outdoor “allergy season” comes around in the Spring.
Our doctors at Lighthouse were named experts in an ApartmentGuide article on this topic. You can check out the featured article here:
Here are some natural and effective ways to allergy-proof your home that we like to discuss with our patients:
1. Improve Indoor Air Quality
- Open windows daily for ventilation (unless outdoor pollen counts are high).
- Use a high-quality HEPA air purifier in key areas like bedrooms and living spaces.
- Add air-purifying plants like snake plants, spider plants, and english ivy to help filter toxins.
2. Control Humidity Levels
Mold and dust mites thrive in humid environments. Keeping your home’s humidity levels in a good range can help prevent their growth:
- Use a dehumidifier in damp areas like basements and bathrooms.
- Fix leaks and improve ventilation to reduce moisture buildup in your house.
- Placing activated charcoal or baking soda in humid areas to absorb excess moisture naturally can be very helpful.
3. Use Natural Cleaning Solutions
Many commercial cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can trigger allergy symptoms. Look for natural alternatives like:
- White vinegar and water for cleaning surfaces (check out this this great resource for DYI solutions: https://static.ewg.org/pdf/EWG_SpringCleaningGuide-2017.pdf
- Baking soda for deodorizing carpets and upholstery.
- Essential oils like lemon or tea tree oil for antibacterial cleaning power.
4. Avoid Synthetic Fragrances
Many people don’t realize that synthetic fragrances and candles can be significant allergens, adding an extra toxic burden on the body. We recommend ditching synthetic fragrances, plugins (like Glad, Febreze, etc.), and candles altogether.
- Use essential oil diffusers with natural scents like lavender or eucalyptus.
- Certain pre-mixed essential blends can help purify the air and even remove pollutants and allergens.
Prepare Your Body’s Natural Defenses
Your body was intelligently created with natural defenses to protect it from the environment around you. Sometimes these defenses can get weakened and we need to support the body to strengthen them. One of the main defenses is something known as the body’s “mucosal lining”. This is a layer of mucous that acts as a wall to stop harmful things from getting into certain areas of our body (like our bloodstream)! Helping your body repair its mucosal lining will take stress of your immune system and can help you be less reactive to external allergens!
Some good natural herbs that can do this are:
- Aloe vera juice (we recommended with no sugar added)
- Slippery Elm
- Marshmallow root
These herbs can be very helpful for symptoms, but we also want to find out if there are underlying stressors inflaming your body and making you more susceptible to allergies and other health issues.
Lower Inflammation
Feel like your allergic to everything? We can help with advanced functional testing. Instead of numbing your body with allergy medications, let’s make your body less reactive and more resistant with a holistic approach to health. Your entire body is interconnected. If you feel like your (or your child’s) body is extremely sensitive to the allergens and other things in the environment, many times there are underlying stressors and sources of inflammation that need to be removed so the body can regulate itself and heal. We are the experts at helping your body heal naturally and holistically.
There you have it! Stop being “reactive” when it comes to your health. Instead start being “proactive” and preventative. Don’t wait for allergy season to blindside you, start making some of these changes today! If you’re ready to take action and take control of your overall health, reach out to our team at Lighthouse. We are here to help guide you on your healing journey.
