With All Your “Mite”! Tackling Allergies
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Allergies are much more commonplace now than they were 30 years ago. While it was usually reserved for the nerdy character in a movie, we are all now suffering from something, and it seems that our kids are even more sensitive to allergies. For example, the rate of children being allergic to nuts has increased so much that in some schools, any nuts or nut-containing products are banned. We are just a more sniffly society than we ever used to. But there are things we can all do to tackle the dreaded wheezy feeling, and it just involves a few simple changes.
Some allergies are made worse by the changes in the season, but depending on where you live you could be subject to four seasons in one day, which can play havoc with our nervous systems. The first place to look at is your home. Cases of asthma in children and adults are increasing, and as dust mites are one of the prime suspects in causing asthma and bronchial infections, it is forcing us to look at our own cleaning habits in more detail. While you may think that you are doing all you can to keep the house clean, are you doing enough to keep people free from illness? Something like renovating your home can release a lot of dust into the air that will take a long time to disappear. A simple hack to help make the air purer is to invest in an air filter, such as a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter which will help to remove impurities and increase the quality of the air you are breathing.
Looking at your home, is there a high chance of mold getting into the house when there has been some rain? Or is there a wall in your home that desperately needs dehumidifying? Look at your windows too, if they are old, the sealant could be damaged, which lets moisture and mist in, and can turn into mold. Getting an aercology mist collector to remove some of these impurities can help or if you have time, the funds, and if the weather is good, then replace the sealant. It is also important to look at your household appliances. Even something as simple as your vacuum cleaner could be spreading around as much dust as you are vacuuming up, which is why a deep clean once every few months is a really important thing to do, and if your products are old, you should make the switch sooner rather than later for everyone’s health. As well as the products, it could be items like washing detergents and conditioners that are causing your kids allergies. Even items like skin-care products contain perfumes, dyes, and chemicals like preservatives that can cause allergies. A lot of stores now provide organic versions of these standard household products and are worth investing in if you or a family member develops symptoms like itchiness or a rash. It’s amazing to see the difference once you have made the switches.
It’s always quite easy to forget that the reason we develop allergies is due to a weakness in our immune system, and by purchasing medicines like antihistamines, we are treating the symptoms rather than the cause of the problem. So while it is convenient to get antihistamines, it may be better to tackle strengthening the immune system instead, which means a trip to your health food store, but here’s a little rundown of things that it’s worth investing in to give your immune system a boost.
Apple Cider Vinegar
This has been used to treat health problems for centuries. A few benefits of it include reduced production of mucus and it helps to clean out your lymphatic system. You can either buy organic apple cider vinegar, or you can make your own, which can take a few weeks. Have a teaspoon every day, or just add it to a drink to dilute the strong taste.
Local Honey
A great way to develop your ability to combat allergens like hay fever in your local area is to have honey that was made in the area you live. By consuming local honey, it will help your body to adapt to the area around you. So, have it in a nice honey and lemon tea for a hit of vitamin C or just have it from the spoon. Start to take it a month before the allergy season starts.
Probiotics
A big reason our immune systems are out of balance is because our gut bacteria is not in balance. Either purchasing probiotic supplements or making fermented foods like sauerkraut, kefir, or kombucha are great ways to get your gut bacteria back to optimum health.
Nettle Leaf
This is a tincture you can buy or if it grows near where you live you can just grab some and make a tea out of it. It stops the body creating histamine, so it works as its own antihistamine if you’d rather do that. The taste isn’t that appealing on its own so you can mix it with peppermint for a refreshing tea.
Food Intolerance Test
Last, but by no means least, the reason you or a family member might be suffering is because of an allergy to certain foods. Gluten intolerances are on the rise, and if you feel sleepy or sluggish after certain foods, like wheat or dairy, then you could have a sensitivity or intolerance. The best way to determine this for sure is to take a certain food out of your diet for a month and reintroduce it slowly afterward. You may feel so much better after a month and notice its effects a lot more when you bring it back into your diet. You can also take intolerance tests to really pinpoint the problem.
When we develop an allergy, it can really have an effect on our ability to do everything, so by cleaning your house properly and making a few changes to your diet, it could be the beginning of a whole new you!
