Swimming is one popular activity that can actually make your allergy symptoms worse.
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you already know how much of a hassle they can be. The constant congestion, watery eyes and scratchy throat are all symptoms that you have to deal with on a daily basis. As experts have predicted, this spring is being particularly hard on those with allergies, as the extreme cold weather of this past winter has led to an increase in the amount of pollen in the air, making a bad situation worse. But there are things you could be doing in your life that will actually exacerbate your symptoms.
Here are a few activities to avoid as much as possible this spring:
- Drinking alcohol: According to Danish researchers, your risk for an allergy attack increases by 3 percent each time you have an alcoholic beverage during the week. The reason for this is simple, according to allergist Dr. Whitney Dunlap, who spoke to Boston ABC affiliate WCVB: “Alcohol can sort of relax the blood vessels, so it can make congestion significantly worse.”
- Smoking: In addition to the other myriad of health problems that smoking causes, it is especially bad for those with allergies. According to Dr. Dunlap, smoking can impair the natural cleaning mechanisms of the nose that keep out irritants like pollen. Summer is the perfect time to kick the habit!
- Swimming: Any action that can bother your respiratory system should be strictly avoided, as they will make your symptoms worse. A strong chemical like chlorine will irritate your nose and lungs, which will make it even more difficult for you to breathe and can set off an attack. Swimming should be kept to a minimum and in areas that are all-natural.
If you have seasonal allergies, help manage your symptoms with an allergy air purifier from US Air Purifiers Direct 2U!