It’s hard to believe, but allergy season is already here. From runny noses to itchy eyes, more than 24 million people in the United States alone suffer from allergy symptoms every year. Whether your entire family has allergies or just a few family members, here are some things you can do to make it through the spring “itchy eye” season.
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What Are Spring Allergies?
Spring allergies are triggered by allergens that are common in the springtime. Examples of common spring allergens include pollens from:
- Ash
- Maple
- Oak
- Sycamore
- Cypress
- Western red cedar
- Maple
- Elm
Many other trees can cause allergy symptoms in the spring, as well as plants and flowers. Mold spores are also prevalent in certain areas during the spring and can lead to telltale allergy symptoms such as congestion, watery eyes, sneezing and a runny nose.
Easing Allergy Symptoms
It may come as a surprise to you, but there are certain vitamins that are essential for helping with allergies. They include vitamins A, C, D, and E. These vitamins can help your body combat allergies in various ways, including by lowering histamine levels and decreasing inflammation. Adults in your family can take multivitamins in various forms to help ease allergy symptoms. For your babies who are too young for adult multivitamins, you may want to administer baby multivitamin drops.
There are also kids immune vitamins that can help boost immune function so the body can fight inflammation caused by common spring allergens. These products are safe and effective for children with and without allergy symptoms.
If you’re interested in learning how to boost children’s immune system function in time for allergy season, there are a variety of other things you can do, including:
- Avoiding antibiotics unless absolutely necessary
- Making sure your kids get plenty of sunshine and outdoor play
- Promote regular handwashing
- Encouraging a healthy diet that includes fruits, healthy proteins, vegetables, and whole grains
- Ensuring your child gets sufficient sleep
These are all great ways to boost your child’s immunity and help combat inflammation from springtime allergies. If your child doesn’t like healthy foods, you’re in good company. Many parents struggle to get their kids to eat vegetables and healthy proteins.
One trick you can try is to arrange healthy foods into fun shapes. You can also try to “hide” healthy vegetables in your child’s favorite meals. Macaroni and cheese can be made much healthier with diced broccoli, and your child probably won’t be able to tell the difference. Zucchini is also a mildly flavored vegetable that can be easily added to favorite dishes without your child ever knowing.
Other Ways to Ease Spring Allergies
Here are some other ways to ease spring allergy symptoms for your family.
- Try taking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with water every day. This can help combat excessive mucous from allergies.
- Use local honey on your sandwiches instead of heavily processed commercial honey. Local honey may help your body adjust to the allergens in your area.
- Stay indoors on windy days when your chances of being exposed to allergens outdoors increase.
There is no way to avoid allergy season, but there may be ways to minimize your symptoms. Try the tips above to make this spring a more enjoyable time for your family.