30 things your allergy specialist wishes you knew

When tulips start to pop, many allergy sufferers head indoors, but those blooms may not be to blame for your sneezing woes. “Patients think that the springtime causes their allergies because of all the flowers blooming,” Dr Slaughter says. “Actually, flowers typically don’t cause allergies. It’s the tree pollen that is blooming at the same time. The tree pollen is very small and lightweight and is highly allergenic for many patients.”

Watery eyes are an allergy hazard, but you may be making the situation worse. “I like to remind my allergy sufferers that there are certain little-known things that may be making their seasonal allergies worse. Contact lenses, for example, can trap pollen in your eyes, especially when the pollen count is high,” says medical director, Dr Jeffrey Frye. “You can imagine the painful, irritating itch that could cause. During peak allergy season, it can be helpful to opt for glasses over contacts, until the pollen counts return to normal.”

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“Pollen counts are highest in the early morning hours, so plan outdoor activities later in the day,” says paediatric allergist and immunologist, Dr Susan Schuval.

If you have to be outside, be aware of what’s in the air. “Listen to the pollen counts daily on TV during the weather report,” she says. “Meteorologists will tell you which kinds of pollen are in the air and the expected levels.”

Dr Frye says many people do not realise that pollen and other allergens, like dust mites, aren’t just in the air. They attach to your clothes, your hair, your skin, your pillows, and bed sheets. “Showering at night can help rinse away the day – and the allergens – and will help prevent pollen from transferring to your bed sheets or other parts of your home, like couches, chairs and carpets,” he says.

In addition to washing your body, you should wash your nose, Dr Slaughter says. “Immediately after an exposure such as a run outside or cleaning something dusty, the patient should do a saline rinse of their nose in the shower,” Dr Slaughter says. “Getting out of the allergy-covered clothes and washing them is also very helpful.”

Not all-natural remedies are right for treating allergies. In fact, some may make them worse. “While some herbal medicines can complement allergy and asthma treatment, they can also trigger allergic reactions,” says allergist, Dr Luz Fonacier. “For example, echinacea, which is often used to build immunity, is a distant cousin to ragweed and can spur allergy symptoms in those with a ragweed pollen allergy.” Let your doctor know of any herbal treatments you’re considering so you can look for overlap with your existing allergies.

“Many of my hay fever patients describe to me problems eating apples in the springtime,” says allergist-immunologist, Dr Jon E. Stahlman. “They get an itchy mouth, throat, or the sensation that their tongue is starting to swell. Usually, they stop eating many other fresh fruits or vegetables – bananas, cherries, avocado, carrots, celery – because they cause similar symptoms. Curiously, they can eat these foods if they are cooked.”

If you’re experiencing this, you’re not allergic to those foods, but you may still have to avoid them. “I usually explain to patients that their problem is related to their severe pollen allergies, especially if they are allergic to birch trees or ragweed. We call this oral allergy syndrome and it can be treated simply by avoiding the fresh forms of these foods,” Dr Stahlman says.

Spooning in honey to cure allergies sounds like an ideal allergy treatment, but it may be too good to be true. “Patients many times will use holistic approaches for allergy control. Raw honey is a treatment that many people will try,” Dr Slaughter says. “People have the idea that raw honey contains all of the spring pollens and therefore a dose a day orally will teach the body to make blocking antibodies. Actually, studies have shown this is not effective because the honey mainly contains flower pollen, which isn’t allergenic for most people.”

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Don’t be afraid to use allergy medicines if you need them. Your body won’t get used to them, despite the persistent allergy myth. “The majority of allergy sufferers – 64 per cent – believe that if you use one brand of allergy medication for a period of time, you can build up a tolerance and it will stop working,” says asthma specialist and immunologist, Dr Neeta Ogden. “Many allergy sufferers have also changed their allergy medication because of this perception. However, physiologically, it just isn’t possible. What’s more likely happening is that their allergy symptoms are getting more severe. The reality is that allergy season tends to get worse each year, so it’s more important than ever for allergy sufferers to manage their symptoms.”

“Eliminate all junk food, artificial colours and additives that are in your food,” says acupuncturist, Elizabeth Trattner. “Not only does this improve your immune system, but it helps avoid inflammatory chemicals that are hard to eliminate naturally from your body.”

Trattner suggests that eating a well-balanced diet of whole grains, organic, free-range animals, healthy fats, such as nuts and seeds, and get seven to 11 servings of fruits and vegetables will help you cope with allergies. “A proper diet keeps the immune system strong and healthy,” she says.

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Your carpets are filled with possible allergens. Vacuuming is a great way to eliminate them, but be sure to use a special filter or you’re just spreading the allergens around your house. “If you’ve got carpet, make sure to vacuum with a machine that has either a HEPA filter or special allergy containing bags,” says allergist, Dr Andrew Engler. “Otherwise you end up sucking distilled mites out of the carpet and blowing them all over the room.”