Treating Fall Energies

Summer is ending, and fall is right around the corner. Unfortunately for some, this means a new allergy season will soon begin. This article discusses the causes of fall allergies, their various symptoms, and the best ways to treat them naturally.

Top Causes of Fall Allergies

According to the CDC, millions of Americans suffer from allergies and hay fever annually:

•  19.2 million adults were diagnosed with hay fever in the past 12 months
• 7.7% of adults were diagnosed with hay fever in the past 12 months
• 5.2 million children reported hay fever in the past 12 months
• 7.2% of children reported hay fever in the past 12 months

Many people who have spring allergies are susceptible to fall allergies as well.

Any of the following typically causes fall allergies:

Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew thrive in warm, moist areas, such as in the bathroom, the basement, and under the kitchen sink. There are millions of mold species on earth, with the vast majority rarely causing health issues. However, the few that cause disease do so by triggering asthma or allergies. Mold could also increase the risk of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis or allergic fungal sinusitis.

The following are common signs of a mold allergy:

• Redness of the eyes
• Coughing
• Runny nose
• Difficulty breathing
• Skin irritation
• Itchy/watery eyes
• Fever
• Wheezing

Mold is most active in the fall and tends to release more spores during this time before becoming dormant in the winter.

Dust Mites

Dust mites are microscopic bugs that live in house dust. They eat skin cells shed by people and live in bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpeting.

Dust mites tend to live at room temperature, allowing them to thrive year-round. They tend to die off in extremely cold temps or when the humidity falls below 70%.

Potential signs of a dust mite allergy following include the following:

• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Cough
• Postnasal drip
• Facial pressure and pain
• Nasal congestion
• Itchy/watery eyes.

Allergy sufferers may also experience additional symptoms from dust mites:

• Difficulty breathing
• Tightness or pain in the chest
• Whistling or wheezing when exhaling
• Difficulty sleeping due to coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath

Ragweed

Ragweed is a flowering plant that is the most common fall allergen. One ragweed plant can generate nearly a billion pollen grains each season. Its pollen can travel great distances, having been found almost 400 miles out to sea and two miles high in the sky.

Ragweed season's length (and severity) depends on the weather: Ragweed flourishes in warm temperatures. Ragweed season typically starts in the middle of August and peaks in early September. In recent years, ragweed season has lasted 3 to 4 weeks longer than normal. (Many believe climate change is the reason).

Common ragweed symptoms include the following:

• Poor sleep quality
• Coughing or wheezing
• Congestion or runny nose
• Puffiness and bluish-colored skin beneath the eyes
• Scratchy throat
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Reduction in taste or sense of smell
• Sinus pressure

Trees, Grass, and other Weeds

In addition to ragweed, other vegetation could cause allergies also in the fall:

• Pigweed
• Marsh elder
• Mugwort
• Cedar elm
• Tumbleweed (Russian thistle)
• Cocklebur
  
  

Pet Dander

Pet dander consists of microscopic skin particles that are shed by animals. Pets tend to shed more in the fall and spring, which increases the risk of pat dander allergies. Many people who suffer from seasonal allergies have an increased risk of suffering from pet allergies.

The following are typical pet allergy symptoms:

• Itchy nose
• Tickling in back of throat
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Postnasal drip
• Itchy, watery, or red eyes
• Sneezing

Foods and Seasonal Allergies

Certain foods have been found to aggravate seasonal allergies as well. For example, these foods have been known to aggravate allergies and should be avoided:

Note:  Allergy symptoms in these foods tend to appear primarily in the fresh varieties. Foods that are baked, cooked, processed, canned, or microwaved appear to destroy the proteins that cause the allergic reactions. 

Treating Fall Allergies

Getting tested by a physician is the best way to correctly identify if you have an allergy. However, if a person believes they are suffering from a fall allergy, there are several natural treatments available:

• Change linens regularly. This can help remove allergy-causing pollen.
• Gently scrub your eyelids with soap and water several times a day. Pollen can rest on eyelashes, increasing the risk of itchy, swollen eyes.
• Change your home’s air filter every three months. A clean air filter can help trap dust, pollen and other irritants and prevent them from circulating in the home.  
• Remove mold promptly. Mold can be removed naturally and with white vinegar. Bleach and borax are also effective at removing mold.
• Dietary changes. Foods high Omega 3 fatty acids are believed to lower inflammation, which could help decrease the severity of allergies. Spicy foods help to clear the sinuses, which could help reduce allergy symptoms also. Many herbs and spices have been used to provide allergy relief for centuries.

Here are the top foods for fall allergy relief:

Allergy Supplements

There are many natural supplements available to treat fall allergies. Here are the top 3 natural supplements for fall allergies:

ION For Gut Health - 32oz Bottle & Nasal Spray Bundle

ION For Gut Health is a mineral supplement that is created with 60-million-year-old soil. It contains the active ingredient Terrahydrite®, which supports microbiome balance naturally.

ION For Gut Health is a powerful combination of products that help protect the body from both colds and allergies simultaneously by strengthening the gut wall and keeping the nasal cavity healthy.

The bundle comes with a 32-ounce bottle and a nasal spray bottle: 

ION*Sinus is a nasal spray that helps to clear dust, pollen, and other air-borne environmental irritants from the nasal cavity. This product helps to treat hay fever and is often considered the first line of defense in keeping the gut healthy.  

ION*Gut Health is a daily supplement that helps protect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract from common toxins found in our food and environment, including gluten and other allergenic foods. A healthy gut microbiome is believed to play a key role in treating both fall and seasonal allergies.

Clearwayz (formerly Lister V) 

Clearwayz is an all-natural, drug free product that helps to support the health of the respiratory system, immune system and the sinuses during the cold, flu, and allergy seasons.

 Clearwayz contains a unique blend of amino acids and oxidants that help to neutralize free radicals in the body while supporting a balanced immune system.

This product can be taken at the onset of itchy or watery eyes during allergy season, daily during cold and flu season, or daily for overall immune health and support year round.

Biocidin TS Broad Spectrum Throat Spray

The nasal/pharynx region is a key area of interest for allergies and upper-respiratory disorders. During the fall and winter allergy and flu seasons, sore throats are one of the most common symptoms.

Biocidin® Throat Spray provides immediate relief to the throat, soothing irritation caused by allergies or throat pain caused by a cold or the flu.

This is an all-natural product and contains many powerful ingredients, including the following:

• Bilberry extract
• Tea tree leaf 
• Shitake
• Black walnut
• Garlic
• Goldenseal
• Oregano oil
• Echinacea

Summary

Fall allergy season is right around the corner. Do you suffer from fall allergies? Get a jump start on this allergy season by trying some of the tips listed here. Then, leave us a comment to let us know your symptoms and which treatments work best!