The allergy season is in full swing, and just as quickly as you blow your nose, social media is full of “hacks” on coping with sniffles and itchy eyes.
How effective are these methods?
Dr. Tania Elliott, a board-certified internist, said, “Allergies are an abnormal reaction to a commonly occurring environmental stimulus. Itching, swelling, and redness are common symptoms.
She adds, “The most allergens are things that are found in the air. In the springtime, you get allergies to tree pollens. In the summertime, it’s more grass pollen.”
TikTok users are finding ways to alleviate seasonal allergies. It has 4.2 million views on #allergyhack, 6.3 million on #allergyrelief, and 18.3 million on #seasonalallergies.
Experts evaluated social media recommendations to determine whether they were real or hoaxed.
Are Local Honey And Nettle Leaf Tea Beneficial For Allergies?
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Honey is a standard tip shared online for treating and preventing allergies.
Dr. Jeanne M. Lomas of WellNow Allergy says honey from a local area contains seasonal pollens that represent the region. “Taking honey regularly would also give you a “dose” of pollen, improving your immunity.”
The strategy of inducing tolerance is, in theory, a sensible approach, similar to the allergen immunotherapy process. Medical professionals control each individual’s dose of immunotherapy, steadily increasing the amount of the allergen over time.
She says, “There’s a couple of reasons why the local honey concept is inaccurate. One is the types of flowers that bees pollinate, for the most part, are not the things that cause people to have allergies.”
Nettle leaf tea is another ingredient people help with allergies. Elliott says it’s difficult to know how much of a supplement you’re taking in some herbal supplement options.
Lomas advises patients to be cautious with herbal supplements. She said, “For the general population, they may be safe and effective. However, most of my patients, who are allergic to plants – trees, grasses, weeds – can be detrimental.”
Tips For Preventing Allergies This Season
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Lomas explains how people can decrease exposure to seasonal pollens.
She said, “These include keeping windows closed and running (air conditioning) units, if available, in the warmer months.” Lomas notes that pets can track pollen into their bodies, so wash your hands after petting or caring for your pet.