Breathe Easy This Spring with My Top Allergy Season Tips
As Seen On The Today Show
Spring is one of my favorite seasons—there’s something magical about the fresh blooms and longer days. But for so many of us, spring also means one thing: allergies.
I recently had the chance to talk about this on The Today Show, where I shared why this year’s allergy season might feel more intense than usual. Warmer temps and above average rainfall results in higher pollen counts. And pollen binds to diesel exhaust and other pollutants - this makes pollen irritating even to people without known allergies!
In Case You Missed It
Here are a few key takeaways to help you breathe easier this season:
🌿 Is it really allergies?: Remember allergies don’t cause a fever or swollen lymph nodes, so if you are experiencing those symptoms, it’s likely an infection.
💡 Knowledge is Power: Nasal sprays like Flonase and Nasonex are the first line treatment for allergies. BUT, they don’t work as needed! They have to be used consistently for at least 5 days before you start to experience relief. Here is how to properly use a nasal spray to minimize side effects.
Hot tip: Watch this video to see how Afrin + Flonase can be combined together for maximal relief. When Afrin is used alone for more than 5 days it can be addictive and cause your nasal passages to swell. But when combined with a nasal corticosteroid spray like Flonase or Nasonex, it doesn’t have those same negative effects.
🛁 Natural Relief: I love adding fresh eucalyptus to my shower to open up my sinuses. Or, add some fresh ginger + oil of oregano to hot steamy water. This can reduce inflammation in your sinuses, nasal passages, and lungs. Here are some additional do’s and don’t for allergy season.
💨 Clean Air Matters: Just like we have a gut and skin microbiome, you will hear me talking a lot about our incredibly important indoor microbiome. We spend 90% of our life indoors – and poor indoor air quality contributes to allergy + respiratory issues, headaches, brain fog, and poor sleep to name a few. I keep this air purifier in my entryway. Make sure that is the appropriate size for the room and that it has these features:
HEPA (look for mechanical and electrostatic filtration) which is effective at filtering out pollen + smaller particles like pet allergens
Activated carbon (filters out volatile organic compounds like gases, smoke and chemicals circulating in the air).
Clean air makes a world of a difference and it is often overlooked. Check out my digital Healthy Home Guide that walks you through evidence-based clean living tips, room by room.
Let’s make this spring one to enjoy—not just survive. 🌼
In Health,
Dr. Tania
P.S. Share these tips — and let’s all breathe a little easier this season.
Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.