Fall is gorgeous.  The beautiful color of the leaves, milder temperatures, and a great time to get outdoors.  Fall activities such as attending a football game, hiking or taking your family to the park are fun activities toward the end of the year.  If you suffer from allergies, particularly in the fall, enjoying these things is more laborious.

Many people who have year-round allergies are accustomed to the constant battle, but it may be harder for those of you who fight them seasonally.  Fall and spring bring their allergens out, and if you are allergic to ragweed, cedar pollen, and mold, then you know what it feels like.

Nutrition

It seems like an outdated concept when it comes to nutrition.  We hear how diet is essential to our health, but maybe we don’t realize precisely what this means.  The food we eat and the benefits aren’t just limited to vitamins and nutrients.  The food we consume provides a wealth of benefits from vitamins and can reduce inflammation in the body that comes from allergic reactions to our environment.

Battling Fall Allergies

Battling fall allergies require proactive measures, and this means eating right as soon as possible and as much as possible.  Everyone wants to indulge in their favorite sweets; However, keep in mind that doing so during fall can aggravate your allergies more.  If you can opt for fall dishes that include low inflammation alternatives.

• Sweet potato has beta carotene and fights off allergies.
• Spinach is a wonderful addition to your meal and keeps allergies at bay.
• Add a dollop of honey to your green tea. Both are inflammation and allergy fighters.
• For a sweet treat, add cocoa to your diet with hot cocoa.

In addition to healthy eating is taking your prescribed or over-the-counter medications before the fall pollens begin.  Depending on which part of the county you live in, will start in late July and early August and continue through the first freeze.

Fall Pollen

• Many environmental allergens can send you into a fit of sneezing with watery eyes. The top three, however, are dust mites, mold, and ragweed.
• Dust mites live in dark places like ducts, so when the heater comes on, you will stir them up.
• Mold thrives indoors in basements, appliances, and showers. Outside, it thrives in dark, moist places and on leaves.  So mold allergies will increase when the leaves fall off their branches.
• Ragweed is a major culprit in moist soils, marsh areas, vacant lots, and near beaches.

Victory

You don’t have to lose the war on allergies.  It is an ongoing battle; However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and keeping abreast of the fluctuations in pollen can help you stay proactive.  Remember, keep up to date on what is in the air, continue your vitamin routine and include extra Vitamin C, and make an appointment with your ear nose and throat doctor to see what else you need if you feel that nothing is working.  The victory is knowledge, and with that will help you along during fall.