By LAURA LEONARD
Doctor of Chiropractic
Los Alamos
It’s that time of the year again … sneezing and wheezing season.
Spring allergies in Northern New Mexico are typically caused by tree and grass pollen with juniper starting as early as February. As we warm up, grass grows and trees such as oak, elm, and cottonwood add to the misery.
If your immune system is warming up and starting to go into overdrive, read on…
Get informed: The most reliable source for local and up to date pollen counts can be found on the website of the National Allergy Bureau (NAB) at www.aaaai.org/global/nab-pollen-counts.
Avoid exposure to pollen: This may involve staying indoors on high-pollen days and limiting outdoor activities during peak pollen season. If you must be active outdoors, shower and throw your clothes in the laundry.
Take allergy medications before it gets bad: Over-the-counter allergy medications, such as antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids, can help relieve symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itching. If your symptoms are severe or persistent, your doctor may recommend prescription-strength medications.
Consider allergy testing and shots: Allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy, can help desensitize your immune system to allergens over time. This involves receiving regular injections of small amounts of pollen to build up your tolerance.
Wear a mask: If you need to spend time outdoors, consider wearing a mask to reduce your exposure.
Keep your home and air clean: Keeping windows closed and regularly cleaning your home can help reduce allergens in the house. Use a HEPA air filter to help remove allergens from the air. Wipe pets down when they come inside after walks and from rolling in the grass.
Saline nasal rinses, pre and probiotics, stinging nettles herb and the supplement quercetin: I have personally tried AllerPops which contain prebiotics and they worked great for me. In addition to the AllerPops regimen, I use a homeopathic remedy called Zone 6, which is tailored to our region specifically.
Avoid high histamine foods or foods that cause a release of histamine when pollen counts are high: Histamine is released from our immune system in response to perceived threats. If you have allergies, your immune system sees pollen, pets, dust, food etc. as a threat and reacts by releasing histamine. This release may result in itching, sniffling, wheezing and other classic allergy symptoms.
Certain types of food and drink contain high levels of natural histamine or cause our body to release histamine. Ingesting these offenders may cause more intense reactions if the pollen counts are also high. If you have random reactions to certain foods that aren’t always predictable or are seasonal, a low histamine diet may work for you. For information on how to start a low histamine diet go to www.cleaneatingkitchen.com/getting-started-low-histamine-diet/
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Dr. Leonard’s practice focuses on posture and performance using a combination of soft tissue release, adjustments & exercise recommendations. She also coaches patients on nutrition, self-care & body awareness to manage themselves in between visits. LA Chiropractic Center is in the Mary Deal Building, Trinity Drive.