The Best Offense is a Good Defense: Preparing for Fall Allergies in Florida

Though the autumn season arrives later in Florida than in many other areas of the country, fall nonetheless brings with it the miseries of seasonal allergies. Unlike allergies that are triggered by a specific substance like pet hair or peanuts, seasonal allergies are triggered by changes in the environment. Since the best offense is a good defense, you can start preparing now to minimize the impacts of fall allergies as the season changes.

Understand the Root Cause of Fall Allergies

Fall allergies in Florida are unique, thanks to Florida’s longer warm season. The extended spring and summer in the Panhandle State allow grass and mold to thrive well into November. Though the release of mold and pollen into the air is a natural and important component of a healthy ecosystem, it also causes the unwanted side effect of allergies.

Symptoms of allergies occur when your immune system treats allergens, like mold spores and pollen particles, as foreign invaders in the body. When the body believes it is being attacked by a dangerous substance, it releases a variety of chemicals into the bloodstream, including histamines. Since these histamines aren’t actually necessary, they cause allergy symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, and coughing.

Planning An Effective Allergy Defense

The old adage “you are what you eat” is exactly right. You can actually minimize your body’s reaction to allergens by adjusting your eating habits. A generally healthy diet will boost the strength of your immune system, especially if you increase your intake of specific nutrients like essential fatty acids and antioxidants.

Adding a probiotic to your routine can also reduce your incidence of allergies by balancing and strengthening your immune system. Fermented foods like kombucha and kefir are naturally high in probiotics, but you can also select a high-quality probiotic supplement to support your wellness.

Local raw honey is another popular and natural allergy fighter. Purchase honey made in your local area, and eat a teaspoon or more each day. Since the honey will contain allergens from your local environment, eating it each day will help your body build a resistance to them. It’s like a natural and delicious form of allergy immunotherapy!

For more help and advice as you work to prevent unpleasant seasonal allergies, contact MindBodySpirit Care in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Shemesh and his team can help you identify natural and holistic methods to achieve true allergy relief. Call (813) 935-2273 today to learn more.