By Dr Kirsten Poe, PhD – Advisory Board, Allergy Test
Meet Dr Poe: https://www.allergytest.co/pages/advisory-board/dr-kristen-poe
If you feel like everyone you know is sniffling, sneezing, and rubbing their itchy eyes once spring hits, you're not imagining it. Seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, affect over 81 million people in the U.S. alone, which equates to around 67 million adults and 14 million kids! Globally, an alarming 400 million people suffer from seasonal allergies.
That’s a whole lot of tissues and antihistamines!
So, What Are Seasonal Allergies Anyway?
Seasonal allergies happen when your immune system treats harmless environmental stuff, like pollen, like it’s a major threat. And then it begins: inflammation, sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, coughing… the full allergy symphony.
Spring is the ultimate showdown between your immune system and pollen, the main culprit. Trees, grasses, and weeds release pollen into the air to help plants grow, but for allergy sufferers, it’s more like nature’s glitter: it sticks to everything and triggers chaos.
Once inhaled, that pollen lands in your nasal passages, sticking to mucus membranes and setting off an immune response. Your body releases histamines, and that’s what causes all those unpleasant symptoms. And because pollen can travel miles on the wind, even if you’re far from a field, your nose might still know.
How to Manage Seasonal Allergies Like A Pro
The good news is you don’t have to be a prisoner to pollen and other seasonal allergies. Here are some practical tips to ease your symptoms:
Lifestyle Hacks:
- Keep windows closed during high pollen days.
- Shower and change clothes after outdoor time (especially your hair, it’s a pollen magnet).
- Use HEPA filters in your home and car.
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes outdoors.
- Mow the lawn with an N95 mask, or better yet… have someone else do it.
Natural and OTC Helpers:
- Antihistamines (Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra)
- Nasal sprays and saline rinses
- Eye drops for itchy eyes
- Supplements like:
- Quercetin (a natural antihistamine)
- NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)
- Stinging nettle
- Turmeric (anti-inflammatory)
Want to Get Ahead? Get Tested.
Here’s the game-changer: knowing exactly what triggers you means you can strategically avoid it and treat it better. That’s where at-home sensitivity testing comes in.
We are so lucky to have a company like Allergtest.co, because they offer state of the art technology and testing. This amazing home-to-lab sensitivity can test for up to 1,400 of the most common triggers, including foods, and environmental triggers, with just a simple hair sample. The process is easy, fast, and budget-friendly.
The test uses bioresonance technology to check for raised markers on certain triggers. After mailing your sample, you’ll get results in less than 7 business days via email.
Here’s where you can grab one: https://www.allergytest.co/collections/sensitivity-tests
You’re Not Alone, But You Can Take Control
Seasonal allergies may be common, but they don’t have to run your life. With smart lifestyle shifts, natural remedies, and personalized testing, you can breeze through allergy season instead of sneezing through it.
So next time you feel that familiar tickle in your nose, remember: there is relief, and it starts with understanding what your body is reacting to by getting the right testing.
