From Woman's World · Marcy Lovitch, Marygrace Taylor, Melissa Gotthardt, Jennifer Bringle · · 2m
7 genius hacks to outsmart fall allergies this season
Ragweed pollen triggers millions of sniffles, but simple tricks like neti pots and tea can stop symptoms fast.
In brief
Ragweed pollen triggers millions of sniffles, but simple tricks like neti pots and tea can stop symptoms fast. Ragweed pollen peaks around Labor Day, but daily nasal rinses, steamy showers, and quercetin-rich foods can reduce symptoms by up to 64 percent. Originally reported by Woman's World.
Ragweed is the fall villain
Ragweed pollen affects almost 50 million Americans, triggering sneezing, congestion and itchy eyes. One plant produces up to 1 billion pollen grains that travel hundreds of miles.
Peak season runs through October
Ragweed season typically begins in mid-August, peaks around Labor Day and ends with the first hard freeze in October. Warmer temperatures have extended the season by 15 days.
Watch for these telltale symptoms
Expect nasal congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, itchy throat and headaches. Post-nasal drip, dark circles, sinus pressure and ear popping are also common signs.
Neti pots wash allergens away
Flooding your nose and sinuses with a neti pot washes out mucus and allergens, reducing symptoms by 64 percent almost instantly. Use distilled or boiled water once daily for three weeks.
Hot showers clear your airways
Breathing deeply in a steamy shower cleans pollen from nasal passages. People with hay fever who inhaled steam for five minutes saw improvement lasting over seven hours.
Morning tea blocks histamine production
Green tea's EGCG may thwart histamine, while ginger tea helps relieve stuffy, itchy sinuses. Drink tea in the morning before heading outside to get ahead of allergic reactions.
Onions pack antihistamine power
Onions, apples and broccoli contain quercetin, which reduces sneezing, runny nose and eye irritation by 50 percent. A bowl of red onion soup works as well as a 544 mg supplement.
Ginger extract rivals Claritin
Taking 500 mg of ginger extract relieves nasal congestion as effectively as the antihistamine loratadine, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Sinus massage brings instant relief
Rubbing the acupressure point where your nose meets your face reduces stuffiness and pressure by 56 percent in just 60 seconds. Massage in gentle circles twice daily.
HEPA filters trap pollen indoors
A HEPA filter removes at least 99.97 percent of pollen, dust and mold. People using one for six weeks reduced their need for allergy medicine by 26 percent.
See an allergist for severe symptoms
When symptoms interfere with sleep, work or quality of life, talk to an allergist about stronger options like nasal steroid sprays or immunotherapy.
The main idea
Ragweed pollen peaks around Labor Day, but daily nasal rinses, steamy showers, and quercetin-rich foods can reduce symptoms by up to 64 percent.
