The calendar may be telling you summer is right around the corner but the current onslaught of spring allergies you are experiencing suggests otherwise. From headaches to dizziness, sneezing, or congestion, allergies have shown time and again they believe in being on display at what feels like some of the worst moments. For example, in the middle of an important meeting at work or during a family meal. Taking the time to put allergies symptoms to bed before they become overwhelming is much easier said than done. Seeing as every person reacts in their own way towards exposure to certain items, it would seem logical that not every solution will prove beneficial to everyone. Musician Clara Chung spoke to this, “Every season can be allergy season, depending on what you’re allergic to.”
All this compounds to a point where determining what works and does not for allergies seems like shooting in the dark. In order to help combat this, we connected with a few people who have found hacks for avoiding spring allergies at home and work.
Think about pollen count
Jorge Vivar is the Creative Director at Mode, a brand offering a variety of CBD products. He believes the measurement used to track how much pollen is in the air should influence the actions of those who struggle with allergies.
“Years and years ago, there was not nearly as much information regarding how the weather might affect your current health. Now, thanks to technological advancements, it’s possible to plan your week around what the pollen count will reach. Pollen count is essentially the number of pollen particles in a one meter squared area of air. Being stuck in the middle of an allergy attack is incredibly disorienting and if you can know when one is more likely to happen, you stand a better chance of avoiding it altogether.”
Air purifier
Mad Rabbit specializes in tattoo-care management products. Their Co-Founder, Selom Agbitor suggests placing an air purifier in any area causing an allergic reaction.
“Some of us are more sensitive to air contaminants than others. Two people sitting in the same room together could have entirely different experiences with their respiratory systems. One person could be dealing with a sneezing fit and irritated eyes while the other appears to be right as rain. We could go into the scientific details for why this happens but that would take far too long. What the first person should do is go out and buy an air purifier. For those who haven’t used one, they seem extraneous, but trust me, if you’re anything like that first person, an air purifier could change your world.”
Keep your space clean
An unclean home is equivalent to choosing to live with allergies. Orgain is a business providing protein products sourced from plants. Their SR. Director of Performance Marketing and E-commerce, Jeff Goodwin, considers it critical to ensure the home never becomes a spawn point for allergic reactions.
“When you pause to think about it, it makes total sense that the rooms a person spends most of their time in would also be the dirtiest. Even if you’re the most organized person on the face of the earth, your body will end up being responsible for a large quantity of the dust found within the room. This means you need to be vigilant in keeping your space clean. Honestly, there’s more to it than you might expect. Dusting, vacuuming, washing your sheets, and even mopping will solidify your home as a retreat from allergic reactions.”
Close the windows
Juan Pable Cappello is the Co-Founder and CEO of Nue Life, a brand offering mental health assistance through the use of psychedelics. He advises others to keep the windows shut, no matter how tempting it may be not to do so.
“As the cold seasons roll into warm ones, it’s natural to want to escape the homes we’ve been hibernating in for the past few months. But, with the outdoors come allergies. Cognitively, we know that spending time outdoors does this and some of us choose to avoid the worst of it until it’s over. But, windows pose just as much of a threat. Those bug screens will do nothing to keep pollen and other allergens out of your home. I love a fresh breeze as much as the next person but sneezing while I’m trying to fall asleep is about the worst experience I can have.”
Apple cider vinegar
MitoQ specializes in specialty health and wellness products. Their head of customer acquisition, Shaun Price, believes a small helping of apple cider vinegar can bring about noticeable change in day-to-day life.
“The last thing anyone wants to consume is an incredibly bitter substance which lingers in their mouth for a long time after. But, apple cider vinegar does much more than make you gag when you drink it. It’s been shown to help the body process and eliminate mucus faster than the body would normally. If there’s one thing I can’t stand during allergy season above any of the symptoms that come at me, it’s the inability to breathe brought on by mucus. So if I have to suffer through a couple minutes of bitter taste to avoid it, I’m going to do that everytime.”
Over-the-counter options
There are instances where the presence of an allergen is simply too much to handle. Cleared is a business providing the prescribing and delivery of allergy medication. Their CMO and Co-Founder, Dr. Payel Gupta, proposes using readily available medication when this happens.
“With how common allergies are among the general public, it’s understandable why you can find entire aisles at grocery stores dedicated to offering as many over-the-counter options as possible. Some of these options are more suited to some people than others. However, my point here is that there’s something for everyone. So, when you’re feeling like you can’t breathe or your head is so foggy watching TV isn’t even possible, go take a look at your options.”
Allergies are finicky for most and overwhelming for some. No matter where a person falls on this scale, being proactive about avoiding them is necessary. Author Neil Leckman put it best, “What happens when the world is your oyster and you are allergic to shellfish?”