How to Fight Spring Allergies Without Medication

Depending on where you live, the winter might have been horrendous. Most people look forward to the warming temperatures, melting snow and sprouting crocuses as hopeful signs of the more pleasant seasons to come. But if you have spring allergies, every patch of greening grass and every budding tree is the enemy. Especially if you can't or don't want to take prescription or over-the-counter medications such as Claritin, Benedryl, Lotrimin, Allegra or Zyrtec.

You can reduce the severity of your symptoms drug-free and catch a dose of spring fever instead by bolstering your body's defenses and allergy-proofing your home as much as you can.

Your Body

• A couple of weeks before your usual allergy symptoms kick in, try starting treatment with Nasalcrom, a drug-free over-the-counter nasal spray that works by coating the nasal passages against allergens. Available for approximately $9-$12 dollars at most pharmacies.

• A strong and healthy immune system can help fight incoming irritants. Boost your immunity by taking vitamin C (many studies show that C is a natural antihistamine), eating well, getting enough sleep and managing your stress levels. Supplementing your diet with natural anti-inflammatory agents such as turmeric, ginger, and garlic has also been shown to help. I have an allergy to leaf mold, which kicks in at the end of the fall and when the snow melts in early spring. I can't tolerate antihistamines or decongestants so I used to sniffle and hack through the night until I started taking a supplement containing turmeric, ginger, and some other anti-inflammatory herbs. You can find one at your local natural foods store. (NOTE: If you are allergic to ragweed, avoid all supplements, teas and other products containing chamomile. The two plants are related. I found this out after I had an allergy attack following a cup of chamomile tea. Foods related to ragweed also include melons, bananas, and sunflower seeds)

• Try to stay indoors between 5:00AM and 10:00 AM, when the pollen-producers are most active. And on hot, windy days, try not to go out at all.

• If you garden, or if you must mow the lawn, wear an inexpensive filtration mask (available at most hardware or home improvement stores). Try to get someone else to do the spring yard clean-up, as last fall's leaves could trigger an attack if you're allergic to leaf mold.

• If you have any food sensitivities, pay special attention to them during allergy season. When there are fewer antagonists in your system, your body stands a better chance of fighting the ones you can't easily avoid. (called the "rainbarrel effect")

• Flush the pollen from your sinuses using a neti pot or a product called SinuCleanse (available for approximately $10 in pharmacies). Basically, a mixture of warm water, salt and baking soda is poured into and out of the sinuses using a specially-shaped pitcher and gravity. The technique takes some getting used to, but it can really help. Try it a little while before bedtime to wash away what you've been breathing in all day and reduce nighttime post-nasal drip.

Your Home

• With the warmth of the spring sunshine and the sweetness of the air, it's a great temptation to throw open all the windows to rid your home of winter's staleness. But try to avoid this unless you want your house full of pollen. Use the air conditioner instead. (this also goes for your car) You can make the house feel brighter by washing windows (you'd be surprised how much this helps), removing or raising screens (if practical or possible) and keeping the blinds open wide during the day. Bright accent colors in your décor or moving favorite chairs next to sunny windows can also help.

• Wash bedding, towels, children's stuffed toys and outdoor clothing frequently during allergy season. Use hot water if possible.

• You may want to try special allergy casings for your pillows and mattresses, but most of them tend to make a crinkling sound when you move around while sleeping, which can wake you or your partner.

• Depending on where you live, it might not be practical to rip up all of your carpets, as is recommended in some allergy guides. If you are renting, your landlord might not appreciate a roll of his wall-to-wall sitting out with the trash. Instead, try HEPA technology. Buy HEPA filters for your heating/air conditioning unit(s), buy a HEPA vacuum cleaner (Sears manufacturers their own unit that is less expensive than the specialty machines) or special filter bags for your existing one. Before I bought my HEPA vacuum, I would sniffle and sneeze for an hour or so after vacuuming. Not anymore. Supplement your defenses by using a filtration mask while vacuuming or dusting. If these aren't enough for you, try investing in a stand-alone air purifying unit for your bedroom. Sharper Image makes a good one.

• When "spring cleaning," (moving boxes, furniture and books around can stir up tons of dust and other allergens) wear a filtration mask. Change your clothes afterward, take a shower, and try to avoid the room you were working until the dust settles, or get out of the house for a while.

• Start a "no shoes in the house" policy. Lots of pollen can enter your house on your shoes and those of your family and friends. If you can't go without shoes, designate a special pair that are only to be worn indoors.

• Pets can also carry pollen into the house on their fur. Try to keep them outside if you can during the worst of your season, or get another family member to care for them. And try to keep them out of the bed and furniture.

• And if you spend a lot of time outdoors, wash your hair before going to sleep to keep the pollen out of your bedding.

Here's to fewer sneezes, sniffles and drips this spring!