Although many affiliate allergies with the arrival of spring, winter can also wreak havoc for allergy sufferers, where the usual suspects include indoor allergens such as dust, animal dander and mold.
Allergic symptoms can include nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, eye irritation and even asthma in severe cases. These symptoms are essentially an inappropriate over-reaction by our immune system to something harmless (with the exception of mold, which is a bigger problem).
Although allergen avoidance is the key to preventing allergy symptoms, it’s not realistic (or effective) in many cases. When avoidance doesn’t work, medications—natural or pharmaceutical—may be an option.
Anti-histamines are most popular, and while these can work for some, they can also make one sleepy and dry out the mucous membranes. Besides these side-effects, most people would prefer not to take synthetic chemicals on a regular basis, so natural options are fast becoming a popular choice.
Effective natural options include butterbur, quercetin and—the latest to enter the allergy scene—quail eggs. The effectiveness of a proprietary quail egg formula is supported by a number of randomized controlled trials indicating that it effectively relieves multiple symptoms of seasonal and environmental allergies (such as watery and itchy eyes, runny nose, and sinus congestion), without the side-effects of conventional OTC drugs.
Regardless of what you choose, the good news is that there are many options, and your local Vitamins First can help find the product that’s best for you!
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Lee Know, ND, is the recipient of several awards, and has held positions as a Medical Advisor, Scientific Evaluator, and Director of R&D for major organizations. Look for his acclaimed inaugural book, LIFE: The Epic Story of Our Mitochondria.