What can I do to ease allergy symptoms?

Avoid Pollen:

Pollen is most active on warm, sunny and dry days. It gets washed away by rain, hence the levels are low during wet weather. Pollen levels can be tracked on most weather apps or pages, and is also often reported in newspapers, TV and radio. This allows you to know what to expect and prepare yourself accordingly.
When the pollen count is high, it is advisable to remain indoors where possible, especially if you have severe allergies. Pollen is released in the morning hours, and is carried higher in the air until it descends again in the late afternoon.

Low Histamine and low Salicylate diet:

Severe cases should follow a low Histamine and low Salicylate diet. Reducing the Histamine intake in your diet may help alleviate allergy symptoms and reactions. Histamine can be found in fish (anchovy, tuna, mackerel, sardines) and cheese (Gouda, Cheddar, Emmental, Roquefort). It is also found in cured meats like sausages, salami and ham. It is advised to reduce the intake of tomatoes, spinach and ketchup. All alcohol containing sulphites, including wine and beer should also be avoided.
Salicylate is often found in Aspirin. Food additives with E-numbers (code for additives that can be found on the package labelling) are to be avoided as they also contain high Salicylate levels. Natural Salicylate can also be found in nutritious foods like fruits (berries, some dried fruit, pineapple, apricot, oranges), vegetables (tomato, cucumbers, olives, courgettes, gherkins), spices and condiments (curry, thyme, tomato sauce).

Keep Antihistamines to hand:

Keeping your Antihistamines handy will help in cases of severe or sudden allergic attacks.*

* Please consult with your doctor before taking any medicine.

Follow these tips to reduce pollen exposure:

Try not to be outdoors and avoid exercising when pollen counts are high in the morning and afternoon.
Avoid areas of lush grassland or blossoming trees.
Wear a face mask if you have severe allergies and must be outdoors during peak pollen times.
Adding a small amount of Vaseline in your nostrils helps prevent the pollen entering the nose and it helps ease the soreness.
Wear glasses and sunglasses to avoid pollen getting to your eyes.
Don’t drive with the window open.

Self-help tips for allergy relief at home

Place a rubber mat at your door so that pollen stuck to your shoes won’t make it into the house. Alternatively, take off the shoes before entering the house and do not use them indoors.
Change your clothes after being outdoors and wash them more frequently to get rid of pollen.
Sinus or nasal rinse: Using a sinus rinse kit or a nasal spray cleans air passages and helps to reduce swelling in the internal nasal and sinus tissue.

Air purifiers or cleaners can help reduce dust and pollen indoors.
Keep windows closed during peak pollen hours of late morning and late afternoon.
Don’t sleep with windows open.
Avoid pillows that contain feathers.
Keep your house dust and mould free.

Use allergen-proof covers and beddings and change your bedsheets frequently.
Wear a face mask and gloves when in contact with dust, pollen or other triggers.

Avoid triggers that can cause allergies such as smoke (passive or active), strong smells or scents.

Keep an allergy kit at home which includes over the counter nasal sprays, eye drops and tablets*.
Keep used tea bags in the fridge and use as a compression to relieve the swelling of the eyes.
Drink plenty of fluids to relieve itchy scratchy throats.

* You should consult your doctor before you take any medications