The relief: Go outside between 2 and 3 p.m.
Why it works: Pollen
takes a siesta in the afternoon, says Haig Tcheurekdjian, M.D.,
associate clinical professor at Case Western Reserve University. “Pollen
is released from grass in the morning, and as the day heats up, it
rises high enough into the air where you won’t have any contact with
it,” he says.
The relief: A run. After allergy sufferers ran for 30
minutes, their symptoms all decreased by more than 70 percent, according
to new research from Thailand.
Why it works: Cardio exercise may calm inflammatory proteins in the nasal passages, researchers say.
The relief: Make the most of rainy days.
Why it works: Right after it rains, pollen is cleared from the air, so it’s a good time to be outside, says Dr. Tcheurekdjian.
The relief: Turn on the A.C.
Why it works: A
window air conditioning unit works like an air filter, decreasing the
amount of pollen indoors, says Dr. Tcheurekdjian. Crank it up if you’re
working out indoors or for a few minutes every day to clear the air
The relief: Wash your sheets once a week at 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why it works: If dust mites have you sneezing and sniffling, know their weakness: heat. Washing your bed sheets in hot water will kill them
The relief: Freeze your favorite pillow.
Why it works: Since
you’re probably not going to throw a pillow in the washer and
dryer—freeze it, says Dr. Jonathan Horbal, D.O., fellow of allergy
immunology at University Hospitals in Cleveland. A 12-hour dip in the
freezer every 1 to 2 weeks kills the mites—and doing it regularly keeps
them from coming back, he adds
The relief: Cut down on dairy for a few days.
Why it works:
It’s been suggested that up to 70 percent of people can’t tolerate
dairy because they’re missing the enzyme lactase, says Steven Lamm,
M.D., author of
No Guts, No Glory. When you have a hard time
with dairy, your immune system can go into overdrive, responding worse
to relatively innocuous things like pollen
The relief: Hop in a hot shower.
Why it works:
Humid, moist air will reach your sinuses and slowly clear your nose,
offering relief, says William Schaffner, M.D., infectious disease
specialist and chair of the department of preventative medicine at
Vanderbilt University
The relief: Ditch old books for an iPad.
Why it works:
If mold has you sneezing and sniffling, old books could be to blame,
says Dr. Horbal. Keep them out of your bedroom to save your sle
The relief: Breathe through your nose, not your mouth.
Why it works: Your nose filters incoming air, helping keep allergens out.
Source: http://health.yahoo.net/experts/menshealth/10-med-free-ways-beat-allergies
