Allergy season is coming: How can you prepare yourself?

If you struggle with allergies, this is the time of year you look forward to least. The tree pollen is everywhere, people are cutting the grass, and the dust, which is there all the time, feels ever more present now that the other allergies are back.

Allergies are awful because they can really impact your quality of life. They can stop you sleeping, and you might spend your waking hours coughing, sneezing and crying throughout the day. It’s rotten, and you will want to be prepared.

We’re here to help. Here are our top tips for preparing for allergy season.

Replace your mattress

You probably weren’t expecting this, but this is our top tip for keeping away allergies. Mattresses made from natural materials are naturally hypoallergenic because they are made from materials that are brought to us through nature. Not only that, but they are typically breathable, which means they wick away moisture that might trap other allergens, and stop your mattress from becoming a breeding ground for nasties.

If you have allergies, a natural mattress should be the first thing you consider changing, since you spend around eight hours every day in bed. Sleeping in an allergen free environment is going to improve your sleep quality and mean you are much better prepared to face the day. That’s going to make allergic reactions feel less stressful.

The Ely mattress is made from wool and horsehair. It is breathable and naturally hypoallergenic. For more information, read about our thirteen layers. If you are ready to shop, visit our online store.

Stock up on antihistamine

Keeping on top of your antihistamines is a great way to keep your allergies under control. Different antihistamines have different daily doses, so you should read the packet you have chosen before you dose yourself up. Don’t be lured into a false sense of security by feeling better, that is likely the antihistamine working. Make sure you take as many as you are allowed, and keep yourself dosed up, to keep the symptoms of allergies at bay.

Clean your garden before pollen season

Clearing away dead leaves or plants from your garden before allergy season can really help you keep allergies at bay, particularly if you are allergic to mould. Ragweed is also a common allergen and should be removed.

If you are going to garden during allergy season, do this in the morning, as pollen counts are higher in the afternoon.

Eat more fruit and veg

Fruits and vegetables are packed with antioxidants and they can help you fight the inflammation that comes with allergic reactions. Plus, they are ridiculously healthy. Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet and you might see a reduction in the symptoms of your allergies.

However, you also need to be aware that some fruits contain pollens you might be allergic too, so if you are allergic to ragweed then you should avoid eating bananas, melons, honey, chamomile and sunflower seeds.

Symptoms of this allergy include itchy mouth and ears, similar to the symptoms you’ll experience if you are allergic to pollen.

Green tea

Green tea has natural antihistamines that can assist your fight against allergies alongside any antihistamine medication you are taking. This is particularly good if your allergy symptoms include scratchy throat and mucus.

If you like herbal teas, you should know that chamomile tea can actually sometimes make your allergies worse, so that might be a tea to avoid during allergy season.

Air filters

Air filters can be expensive and noisy, but they are a great way to control the allergens that enter your home, and there are some out there now that are reasonably priced.  Look for Hepa air filters specifically.

Leave the allergens outside

Leave your shoes and coats outside if you are outside in peak allergy season, and slip straight into the shower to wash the pollen off yourself. It’s also recommended that you keep the windows in your home closed, particularly in the afternoon when the pollen count is high.

Check your houseplants

Houseplants are beautiful and they are seriously on trend, but they might be adding to your allergy related misery. Google the species of plant you have to determine if they are a common cause of allergies and, if so, it might be time to re-home them.

Reduce stress

Did you know that stress has been proven to make allergic reactions worse? If you are really struggling with your allergies, reducing stress might help.

Try massage, meditation, relaxing music, yoga, gentle exercise, and breathing techniques to help you reduce the amount of stress you are feeling and you might see your symptoms reduce.

Good sleep also reduces stress, and we think our natural mattress induces the best sleep there is. For more information, read more about the Ely mattress.