Days are getting longer, and garden daffodils are blooming. Whilst for many this is great news, there are some that dread this time of year, the advent of the allergy season.

Allergies are particularly debilitating in the spring, with many trying to avoid pollen and popping antihistamines, but this only gets you so far.  Though many tips are well known, such as closing the windows or wearing sunglasses, there are some triggers that you may not have realised.

Often proclaimed as the good guys, fruit can exacerbate allergy symptoms because they are, funnily enough, covered in fruit pollen. Though, do not stop eating fruit, we still need our daily vitamins, instead make sure you wash, peel or cook your fruit to prevent transfer of irksome pollen.  Alcohol is, another culprit because it dilates the blood vessels in your nose, enabling a larger reaction to any pollen present. Wine is particularly bad so maybe try another drink in the spring sunshine.

Hair products turn your luscious tresses into a pollen magnet, ensuring pollen stays with you wherever you go.  On the same theme, if you find yourself waking up with a particularly stuffy nose then you should try swapping your morning shower for an evening one.  Going to bed swathed in pollen certainly doesn’t help.  Even just washing your face can make a big difference

Many things seem to be blamed on stress these days and allergies are no different.  Even small amounts of stress increases allergy-triggering proteins and allergic symptoms, so enjoy some me time to de-stress however you like to: yoga, mindfulness, reading.

Finally, the spring clean! Although the intention is good to remove all dust and mould spores from the house, cleaning dramatically increases allergens in the air whilst you are cleaning.  Best to get someone else to do it when you aren’t there (think partner or children)!

If you are still struggling, a visit to your local osteopath to help clear congestion from your sinuses might be just the thing you need to relieve those spring sneezes!

If you are looking for a Farnham based osteopath specialising in manual therapy to treat pain or simply want to improve health and wellbeing, please get in touch at enquiries@outlinehealth.com or call 01252 850814.