I hate spring...allergies advice?

Do some research on large doses of Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C). I've heard that allergies will vanish if you find the optimum dosage of Vitamin C for your body. It can't do you any harm, so might as well give it a shot.

Rupp Mask

Wash your hair before going to sleep. People get pollen in their hair during the day, and then they cover their pillow in the allergins when they go to sleep. If your allergies are worse when you sleep and early in the morning, try this out.

I check weather.com to find out what the allergy situation is on a daily basis. Pollen varies day to day and even within the same day it can vary greatly so keep tabs on it and run accordingly. Also, look at pollen.com. Running indoors on a treadmill is good on bad days.

I've had trouble racing away from home due to the change in flora and pollen so beware of signing up for races out of your area during pollen season.

i love spring, it is my fav season. screw allergies. you can not hate spring just because of this, come on

http://aperfectcelebration.com/category/wedding-ideas/

Some good advice in this forum. I have had allergies since 15 years, let me chime in:

1. Claritin/Zyrtec/Loratadin etc work pretty well with very little side effects. Don't get 1st gen antihistamin, those will affect your running performance negatively.

2. You can get tested so you know what exactly is triggering your allergies but it won't help much, unless you move away.

3. Hyposensibilisation is the only treatment that works long term and not just covers up symptoms. I did it many years ago for a period of 3-4 years and it helped quite a bit. Is it worth the effort? Not sure.

4. Exercise induced asthma during allergy season is very real and not fun. Sneezing is one thing but when you can't breathe anymore, you're in trouble.

5. Most allergy pills as stated above are 24h - but for me that's not enough, take one in the morning and one in the evening if required.

6. When it's really bad, run on the treadmill or do easy runs instead of workouts.

7. Mask - maybe that's an idea, too

8. Before races during spring, I use an inhaler

Go to an allergy clinic and have them check you for the type of allergy you have. I used to have terrible allergies until I was diagnosed with a high IGE antibody count and started getting injections of Xolair every other week. Now I am allergy free.

Also, wash your bedding often, drive with the windows up and pay attention to when you are bothered most. Some people are more sensitive to pollens which are either more common in the morning or in the evening. Find out which you are and of course avoid training outdoors during that time of day. Keep a moist wash cloth handy and wipe it over your face several times a day. Google this issue and you'll probably find even more advice.

the rhinohorn is very effective to clean out alergic particles out of the nose stopping the histamine buildup.

There are no side effects so it can be combined with medication.

Also, wash your bedding often, drive with the windows up and pay attention to when you are bothered most. Some people are more sensitive to pollens which are either more common in the morning or in the evening. Find out which you are and of course avoid training outdoors during that time of day. Keep a moist wash cloth handy and wipe it over your face several times a day. Google this issue and you'll probably find even more advice.

Eliminate gluten and dairy because of the autoimmune reaction.

Allergy shots. My insurance covers the full cost. No co-payments.

Quercetin

Quercetin is a type of antioxidant called a flavonoid. Although there is still isn't enough research to conclude that quercetin is an effective allergy remedy, it is thought to prevent the release of the inflammatory chemical histamine, which is involved in allergy symptoms such as sneezing and itching.

Quercetin is found naturally in certain foods, such as apples (with the skin on), berries, red grapes, red onions, capers, and black tea. It is also available in supplement form. A typical dose for allergies and hay fever is between 200 and 400 milligrams three times a day.

Here is some Quercetin:

http://amzn.to/xs1PMC

Pretty cheap and has benefits beyond allergy relief to the distance runner!

Carotenoids

Carotenoids are a family of plant pigments, the most popular being beta-carotene. Although no randomized controlled trials show that carotenoids are effective remedies for allergies, a lack of carotenoids in the diet is thought to promote inflammation in your airways.

There are no guidelines or research that suggests a certain target intake for hay fever. Many people don't even get one serving of carotenoid-rich foods a day. If this is you, consider striving for one to two servings a day to up your intake.

Good sources of carotenoids include apricots, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, spinach, kale, butternut squash, and collard greens.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of essential fatty acid that we must obtain through our diet. Research suggests that they may reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals in the body (prostaglandin E2 and inflammatory cytokines).

Although there are no randomized controlled trials showing that omega-3 fatty acids are effective allergy remedies, a German study involving 568 people found that a high content of omega-3 fatty acids in red blood cells or in the diet was associated with a decreased risk of hay fever.

Here is fish oil:

http://amzn.to/xgX7y1

I tried to find it cheap but I mean you can get these things at any department store, just cheaper online.

I know this is long winded but what I really like about these choices is that they have benefits to you regardless of their impacts on your allergies, and all 3 combined will probably help!

local honey cures all

I have always had really bad allergies all year and the most helpful thing for me was to go to the doctors and they identified what the exact things that were the cause of my allergies and they gave me a few different shots. I get this done every year and I never have had problems since. And I live and run in the Santa Barbara area of california and it is one of the worst locations in the United States for allergies.

Yes, I have athsma. I've tried claritin, singulair, flovent, albuterol, and sinus rinse. The albuterol works, the other things haven't made much of a difference. Interesting that you note that singulair should be taken at night, I should try that. The mask is an interesting idea.

Thanks to all for the very helpful suggestions.

Thanks so much for these other helpful suggestions.

Undergo isotype switching.

read the "Unhealthy Truth" by Robyn O Brian

or continue wineing

I went to an allergy/asthma specialist and got a scratch test done on my back and found I was allergic to...well pretty much everything. Grass, trees, mold, weeds, cats n' dogs. So, morons can say "sack up and deal with it" but it isn't a side cramp or tight muscle it actually hinders how your body functions. I always have a hard time w/ my asthma and after I started taking Singular and allergy shots things cleared up almost completely.

good luck