Posted by Healthy Bitch Daily on Oct 25, 2012
What's making you itch, sneeze and cough? Most likely, some of fall's famous allergens
So you've got constant sniffles and sneezes.
You've got snot dripping from your nose to your computer keys. You look like total shit, too. Your eyes have dark circles, are watering, glossy and itchy enough to make your coworkers think you've been smoking reefer in the bathroom.
Lovely Little Allergies
A quick self-diagnosis? You're certain you've got yourself a bona fide cold. Before you start sippin' the Nyquil, though, let's talk some shop about seasonal allergies.
"But, it's fall," you say. "Allergies wreak havoc in the spring and summer when flowers are out doing their flowery flowering thing."
While it's true that most allergy sufferers despise the spring/summer months the most because of airborne pollen, fall has a mischievous, dark side too. Fall allergens are responsible for an equal dose of misery as your immune system responds to what it believes is a foreign body. When exposed, your immune system creates an antibody to protect itself from the "dangerous" particle, and as a response, your body releases histamine (cue runny nose, itchy eyes and puffy mug).
The Usual Suspects
Fall harbors some nasty allergens like ragweed, dust mites and mold that pack a mean punch on your delicate little system.
Ragweed, possibly the most common fall allergen, is pretty fierce in its attempts to make your life a living hell. Airborne ragweed pollen can travel hundreds of miles to bring allergy torture. Sweet.
Dust mites are microscopic insects that feast on shed skin cells. Aside from being hideous, they are easily inhaled. When you kick on that furnace at the first sign of cold, dust that was settled in heating ducts can stir. Once inside your honker, these buggies can trigger allergic reactions like sneezing and sniffling.
Mold flourishes in damp conditions, so the heap of rotting leaves in your backyard might be a good starting point. Damp basements, sheds and bathrooms also make the list of mold's favorite hangouts. The spores produced by mold go airborne easily, just like ragweed, so symptoms can persist without direct contact.
An Arsenal of Defenses
Treatment for seasonal allergies can range quite a bit. People equip themselves with over-the-counter everything, including sprays, antihistamines and decongestants. In more shitty cases, some seek allergy shots from their doctors. If you're worried about side effects from some of these treatments, talk to your MD about alternative courses of action. Here are a few:
Get a Neti pot. If you haven't heard of this wonderful little doo-dad and you suffer from allergies, you should get one. Essentially a miniature watering can for your nose, Neti pots flush your nasal passages to clear out aggravating debris. Bottoms up!
Get some honey, honey. If you're into honey (don't bitch us out, some vegans are), you may want to incorporate an organic, local, raw honey into your diet. Some research claims consuming local honey is linked to reduced allergen reactivity.
Go herbal. Herbs like butterbur and nettle can naturally combat allergies.
Put a pin in it. Acupuncture is another option for those of you that are uncomfortable with pharmaceutical remedies. Acupuncture not only treats acute symptoms, but treatments are designed to rebalance your entire system. Two birds, one stone.
As always, all of your efforts are a waste of time (and a pain in the ass) if they're not balanced with a clean diet and uber-hydration.
Still Convinced You Have a Cold?
Here are some general guidelines when trying to discern allergies from a cold:
Time of year. Colds are more prevalent in the winter months, while allergies are common from spring through fall.
Fever. With a cold, you might be burning up. Seasonal allergies, for the most part, don't cause an elevated temperature.
Duration. A cold lasts anywhere from a few days to a week, while allergy symptoms will last as long as the allergen is present. This might not be helpful information at the onset of your sniffles, but if symptoms persist for two weeks or more, you can rule out a cold.
Mucus. Snot can be thick, green or yellowish when you have a cold (an indication of infection), but the drip-drip coming from your nose during an allergy attack will be clear, thin and watery. Yum!
Symptoms. Issues like aches and fatigue are associated with colds, while sneezing and itchy eyes/nose are better indicators of allergies.
Whether virus or allergen, these symptoms can be a real buzz kill, so keep track of what you're feeling to help yourself find a solid treatment plan.
How do you cope with fall allergies? We want to hear! Leave a note in the comments section below.
Sara Crolick, Contributing Writer
Sara Crolick is a little lady on the quest for all things green, nutritious, and joy-inducing. After a Lupus diagnosis in 2008, Sara revamped her diet and lifestyle, addressing symptoms with good food, a happy spirit, and a whole lot of laughter. Creator of HerbvaceousLady.com, Sara writes from her experiences as a Lupus patient and a thriving vegan. When she’s not spreading love on the web, she’s raising two little humans with her man in
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