5 surprising facts about seasonal allergies

For unknown reasons, lightning can trigger allergy-related asthma.

     If you have seasonal allergies, you probably know that it's important to take your medication regularly and monitor your activity to lower your allergen exposure. But did you know that thunderstorms can make allergy symptoms worse? Here are a few things about seasonal allergies that might surprise you:

  • They can lead to what looks like food allergies. Seasonal allergy sufferers sometimes experience something called "pollen-food allergy symptom", which involves allergic symptoms in the mouth and throat when eating fresh fruits and vegetables like apples, pears, carrots, peaches and cherries. The remnants of pollen in these foods cross-react with certain proteins, causing what might appear to be a food allergy.
  • Stress can worsen allergy symptoms. Reducing your stress level isn't just a new-age cure-all: It can actually reduce the production of histamine, the substance that causes allergic reactions, in the body. Doing yoga or setting aside half an hour per day for meditation can help you manage your symptoms.
  • Thunderstorms can trigger allergy-related asthma. In a phenomenon that's not yet scientifically understood, thunderstorms can cause allergic people to experience difficulty breathing, even if they've never had breathing problems before. 
  • Chlorine can make your allergies worse. If you're thinking of getting a jump start on swimming season this summer, but you have seasonal allergies, you might want to rethink your plan. Chlorine irritates your membranes, making seasonal allergy symptoms worse.
  • You should start taking medication ahead of time. Allergy medications are most effective when they can completely block the histamine receptor before a reaction occurs. Once the histamine has been produced, it can take a while for symptoms to be relieved by medication.

     To find a HEPA air purifier for allergies, contact US Air Purifiers for help today.