Seasonal Allergy Forecast: Your Guide to Breathing Easy

As we step into warmer weather, a forecast looms over allergy sufferers – this allergy season is predicted to be not just worse but also starting earlier and lasting longer. For many individuals, this means preparing for a tougher battle against pollen, dust, and other allergens. With a few proactive measures and strategic planning, you can equip yourself and your home so that you can enjoy the season without suffering with itchy, watery eyes and nasal congestion. In this blog post, we'll share four things you can do right now to help you stay ahead and minimize the impact of allergies on your daily life.

1. Improve indoor air quality with hypoallergenic house plants: Clean air is the foundation of allergy management, and new, energy efficient homes that are extremely air tight can mean higher levels of indoor air pollution — which is the opposite of what seasonal allergy sufferers need. Dracaena for example, (sometimes called Corn Plant), is an excellent choice because it acts like nature’s air filter by trapping allergens on its leaves. Ask your local garden centre for more suggestions for hypoallergenic, air purifying plants. 

2. Shower When You Get Home and Before Bed: Pollen has a notorious knack for hitching a ride on skin and hair, turning what should be a sanctuary into an allergen hotspot. Combat this by making it your habit to shower and launder your clothing as soon as possible after coming home. Washing away allergens before bed also helps to prevent them from transferring onto your pillow and bedding, promoting better sleep and protecting the air quality in your bedroom.

3. Consider Supplements, Including Quercetin: Supplements can be valuable allies in the fight against allergies. Quercetin, a natural compound found in foods like apples and onions, possesses anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties. Incorporating quercetin supplements into your daily routine may help alleviate common allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and congestion, offering much-needed relief during peak allergy season. 

Black cumin seed oil is another supplement that provides relief for up to 70% of allergy sufferers, including those with allergies to pollen and dust. It’s naturally high in thymoquinone, an active ingredient that can reduce allergy symptoms by inhibiting inflammation and immune reactions. 

“If you feel like allergy season is getting longer and more intense, you're not wrong — experts say that's the case, and climate change is the culprit.

A study found that, across the United States and Canada, pollen season is starting about 20 days earlier and pollen loads are about 21 per cent higher since 1990 — and that's partly because of global warming.”

-CBC News

4. Optimize Your Diet: What you eat can influence your body's response to allergens. Including allergy-fighting foods in your diet can bolster your immune system and mitigate allergic reactions. Foods like pineapple, rich in bromelain with anti-inflammatory properties, local honey that may desensitize your immune system to local pollen, and kefir, a probiotic-rich dairy product supporting immune health, can all play a role in minimizing allergy severity.

While these strategies can be effective in managing allergies, it's crucial to consult with your healthcare provider before making significant changes to your lifestyle or starting new supplements, especially if you have existing health conditions or allergies. By combining these proactive measures with personalized guidance, you can navigate this allergy season with greater resilience and a reduced impact on your daily life.

Stay ahead of allergies this season, embrace these tips, and reclaim your comfort and well-being amidst nature's seasonal challenges.