End of Winter Starts the Season of Allergies

Allergies affect 500 million people across the globe and in India the figure is growing larger each day. Studies have shown that three in every ten people in the capital of Delhi and NCR region suffer from nasal allergies. The Indian population is largely effected by Allergic Rhinitis and Hay Fever. Rhinitis is the irritation of the Nasal passages with swelling of mucous membrane in the nose. This also results in itchy and watery eyes with consistent sneezing leading to headaches apart from Asthma and Bronchitis.

Allergic Rhinitis usually results from tree, grass, weeds or pollen and is experienced during summer. Recurrent allergic rhinitis can cause year-round symptoms and irritation. This allergic reaction also results from indoor irritants such as feathers, mold spores, animal’s dander (hair and skin shed by pets), or mold spores carried in the air.

El Nino winds are also responsible for extremely wet and warm weather conditions that support the growth of fertile greenery breeding conditions for molds, which increases the count of pollen and mold spores in the environment and ultimately resulting in allergic reactions for people.

What is the real cause of Allergies? People inherit a certain genetic disposition towards allergies. Which means it’s passed down from Parents to children and so on. During spring, the immune system of the body is exposed to different allergens and forms allergy-specific antibodies (called immunoglobulins). These are present in the cells of your eyes, nose, lungs and skin. When an allergen and an antibody combine the body releases histamine and other chemical substances into the bloodstream which results in an allergic response. Pollen, dust, mold or other substances that can be inhaled, are common allergens that cause these symptoms.

Remedies that can help in case of Nasal Allergies are:

1. Cover your nose in cold or dusty surroundings.
2. Whenever you feel slight congestion, take steam inhalation treatment.
3. Avoid sleeping in the open and cover yourself properly before going to sleep.
4. Stay indoors on windy days during the pollen season and when the pollen counts are high.
5. Local weather websites usually have pollen count information, track them to keep yourself aware of daily pollen levels.
6. Keep all the windows and doors closed.
7. Wash clothes more frequently and don’t leave your clothes outside to dry.
8. Take a bath and wash your hair before bedtime to get the pollen out.
9. Pollen counts are usually highest during late morning and early afternoon, so avoid going outdoors then.
10. Drink tea made with natural antihistamines, especially nettle leaf.