It’s only natural to be frustrated with our bodies when we are sneezing and wheezing all day. Believe it or not, seasonal allergies happen because your body is working its hardest to protect you.
Seasonal Allergies and Your Immune System
If you’ve visited an allergy clinic in Houston, like Dr. Matorin’s Sinus & Allergy Center, you might already know that the source of your seasonal allergies is your immune system. Seasonal allergies occur when your body’s immune system responds to things in your environment that it thinks are dangerous. Typical allergens in Houston include:- Pollen from trees, weeds, and grasses
- Dust mites
- Mold
- Animal dander
What Impacts Your Seasonal Allergies From An Allergy Clinic In Houston
It can be very difficult to avoid specific allergens in our daily routines. Here is what may impact your seasonal allergies from our allergy clinic in Houston.Houston Weather
Houston weather – notorious for its humid environment – greatly impacts your seasonal allergies. Cooler nights and warmer days help pollen thrive. That means, from mid-January through mid-April, Houstonians can suffer the worst seasonal allergies. Houston’s high heat and humidity (especially high in September) is also the perfect setting for mold to grow. Plus, windy days distribute more allergens in our air. In dry seasons, allergens increase. Rainy days offer some relief by washing away allergens!The Time of Day
Next, the time of day also impacts seasonal allergy symptoms. The amount of pollen in the air tends to rise in the morning, peak around midday, and reach its lowest by the evening. If you exercise outside in the morning and suffer from seasonal allergies, consider moving your workouts to the evening. Your Location In general, pollen counts rise/fall later in urban locations and earlier in suburban locations. Of course, there are some places in the US that offer less allergy exposure. But before you decide to move across the country, it’s important to know that allergens are everywhere. Moving out of humid Houston won’t necessarily resolve all of your allergy symptoms.Your Diet
When patients walk into our allergy clinic in Houston, most of them already have an idea about how the city impacts their seasonal allergies. But what they don’t realize is their diet also plays a big role! This is because certain foods boost your immune system so that allergens pose less of a threat. Trying to plan your life around environmental factors can be stressful, time-consuming, and downright frustrating. On the other hand, fighting seasonal allergies by boosting your immune system is a much easier option. It’s as simple as adding a few delicious and nutritious foods to your diet.5 Foods for Fighting Seasonal Allergies
Grab a pencil and your grocery list! Here are five foods that will help you fight seasonal allergies by boosting your immune system. Best of all, they’re simple foods you can find in most Houston grocery stores.1. Pineapple
Pineapple is a deliciously refreshing snack to have in warm weather. But you might want to consider snacking on it year-round! Pineapple is filled with vitamin C and the right enzymes to reduce a host of seasonal allergy symptoms.2. Broccoli
If you’re tired of blocked-up sinuses, eating more vitamin-C rich broccoli can help. Toss some raw broccoli in a salad or dip it in hummus. Or if you prefer cooked broccoli, opt for steaming or microwaving it for a short time. These cooking methods make sure your broccoli is delicious without losing the allergy-relieving benefits of vitamin C.3. Greek Yogurt
Ready to stop sneezing through the spring season? Greek yogurt’s probiotics contain good and helpful bacteria that can change your body’s immune response for the better. Throw a handful of berries into your greek yogurt for an extra boost of flavor and allergy-fighting vitamins.4. Fatty Fish
What’s the only thing better than the smell of a fresh tuna melt? Actually being able to smell it! To reduce swelling in your throat and nose this allergy season, add fatty fish to your diet, like:- Tuna
- Salmon
- Mackerel
- Sardines