Your Instagram is blowing up with snaps of blooming flowers and friends posing in meadows, but if you’re allergy-prone, spring can be a rough time of year.  This year, plan ahead and beat the allergic agents with some help from your friends at Fait avec Coeur.

We’ve rounded up top tips from experts that’ll help you keep allergens at bay, suppress an allergic reaction, and get you out with your friends snapping selfies in the Great Outdoors. From holistic remedies to swapping your bedding for a low-allergen, silver ion-infused silk pillowcase, we’ve covered every angle!

 

Tips for Beating Common Allergies 

First of all, you’re not alone. Every spring, millions of Americans suffer from hay fever – an allergic reaction caused by pollen or mold. Other common allergens during the spring include grass pollen, dust mites and pet dander. And there are many more! So, do you know exactly which allergens are the cause of your seasonal sinus issues?

1. Know your allergies

Knowing what you’re allergic to is the first step in battling them. So, drop by your doc to discuss having a test done to find out what causes you to have an allergic reaction. A test will tell you quickly what you need to avoid, so you don’t have to find out the hard way. Your doctor may provide testing in-office or may require you to see an allergist. The test will involve pricking your skin, usually on the forearm, with a variety of common seasonal allergens. Whether or not your skin shows a reaction in the form of redness, itchiness, or welts will tell you which allergens your body doesn’t like inhaling either. You may be surprised at some of the allergies you have!

2. Try allergy medication

If your allergies are severe and interfere with ever day activities, you should seriously consider starting an over-the-counter allergy medication before you get to the point where you’re suffering from congestion, coughing, sneezing, asthma, and more. Using these types of meds before the biggest pollen bloom will alleviate your allergic symptoms, and give you a rest all spring long so you can enjoy the weather and live a normal life.  Also, depending on the results of an allergy test, your doctor may have a different option for you, including monthly or seasonal injections of a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids will reduce the inflammation within your sinus cavities, allowing you to breathe infinitely better! Check with your doctor regarding your specific allergens and symptoms to see which is the best type of allergy med - including over-the-counter options, as they all target different triggers.

 

3. Limit your time outdoors during major pollen blooms

It isn’t fun having to stay indoors, especially in spring, but it may be a good idea to just avoid your biggest trigger altogether.  Talk to those gal pals of yours who are obsessed with gardening, or join a Facebook group for local gardeners. They’re sure to know which plants are the biggest offenders in your area for flinging pollen in all directions. They can also tell you which weeks and months are their bloom time so that you know when to stick to jogging on a treadmill or postponing the company picnic. 

4. Wear a face mask

Since we’ve all gotten comfortable wearing our protective face masks, consider wearing yours outdoors as well during spring. You breathe in allergens such as pollen and dust mites every time you head outside, and a face mask is surprisingly effective at keeping them out.

A study in 2020 revealed that those wearing surgical face masks had fewer seasonal allergies than those who didn’t.  A standard surgical mask can filter particles larger than 3 micrometers, while an N95 mask can filter particles as small as 0.04 micrometers. So if pollen is your biggest threat, a standard facemask can make a difference. However, if pollen is your main allergen, you’ll need to utilize an N95 mask to filter their smaller spores. 

And if you’re thinking that wearing a mask outdoors will be a drag, you clearly haven’t experienced the glory of our 100% silk facemasks. They’re lightweight, low-rub, and absolutely gorgeous in a variety of colors and patterns.  

5. Allergy-proof your home

Dust mites, pet dander and mold are among the most common allergens found inside homes, so make sure you take steps to keep them away. Vacuum your home weekly or more during spring and tackle mold as soon as you spot it. As much as you’re tempted to open the windows for fresh springtime air after a stuffy winter, keeping your windows closed will keep you safe from pollen and other irritants which may be floating around outdoors. If you absolutely can’t pass up the temptation to change your springtime air, do so for just an hour before bed or overnight, as this is when pollen count drops the most. (Pollen count is highest in the morning and drops throughout the day.)

6. Try natural remedies

Many herbs and other natural ingredients have been proven time and again to relieve the effects of an allergic reaction. So if you’re suffering from an allergy, you can try something like butterbur, bimmine (a Chinese herbal formula), stinging nettle leaves, apple cider vinegar, or even just some really spicy food!

 If your allergies cause skin breakouts, oatmeal is a common natural remedy for itchy, irritated, red skin. Use an oatmeal-based cleanser to soothe irritation - check out our zero-waste oatmeal cleansing truffle here.

If you’re suffering from inflammation or asthma-like symptoms, breathe in some eucalyptus oil. A study conducted in 2010 found it has soothing effects. You can also put a couple drops in a bowl placed on your work desk, or rub a couple drops on your chest. The scent will slowly waft up to you, and help you breathe easier.

7. Change your bedding

Your bedroom should be your sanctuary, but unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. In fact, your pillowcase and bed linens may be exacerbating your allergies. 

One way to get around that problem by investing in a luscious silver ion-infused silk pillowcase. Not only will it make sleeping an awesome experience, but the hypoallergenic properties of silk will make sure you don’t break out.

In fact, you might even consider switching out your entire bedding set to silk! Fait avec Coeur offers some of the best silk bedding on the market. Whether you’re looking to start with just a pillowcase or dive into an entire silk sheet set, Fait avec Coeur has your bed fully covered! 

Research has shown that certain compounds within silk actually stimulate the immune system to produce more of the compounds responsible for limiting your body’s response to allergens.  (Interleukin 10 or IL-10)

This means that if you are allergic to certain textiles, or have sensitive skin, wearing silk would be ideal for you. It isn’t likely to trigger any allergies, which is why our silk face masks and bedding make an excellent addition to your daily life.

Silk is also resistant to collecting dust mites, a huge culprit for allergy sufferers. This is because silkworms cocoons are made up of a protein called sericin. Sericin acts as a natural, organic repellant to protect the silkworm inside from predators, such as dust mites. So, think of your silk sheets as a protective chrysalis of your very own, keeping allergy-inducing dust mites at bay.

Additionally, pure silk fibers are more resistant to the growth of mildew than plant fibers, like cotton.  Between mildew resistance and the fact that silk doesn’t absorb as much moisture as traditional materials, silk bedsheets and 100% organic silk pillowcases are a great choice for people whose allergies are triggered by the slightest presence of mildew.

Exciting News! We've also just launched our silver ion-infused silk pillowcase. It combines our hypoallergenic 30-momme silk with fine threads of antibacterial silver to protect the skin from allergens and bacteria.

Another textile to consider for hypoallergenic bedding is bamboo. Bamboo textile is also hypoallergenic and antibacterial, making them another great option to reduce allergens in the room you spend most of your time.

The Fait avec Coeur Bamboo Sheet Set is 100% pure bamboo viscose, boasting a luxurious 300 thread count, and an exquisite feel at an affordable price point. Bamboo sheets are also moisture-wicking and thermal-regulating, making them a perfect choice for anyone who feels hot at night.

All of Fait avec Coeur's silk products are OEKO-TEX®, BSCI, and ISO certified.

 

8. Try nasal irrigation

Using a neti pot or bulb syringe, flush out your nose with saline water. This will wash away the mucus, making you feel better almost immediately. It helps heaps with hay fever. Just make sure you follow directions to the letter, because using a neti pot wrong can give you a headache – especially if you’re new to the process!

9. Take a hot shower immediately after being outdoors

It’ll provide two benefits: one, it’ll wash off all the dust and pollen and get you out of your outdoor clothes, and two, the steam will help clear your sinuses temporarily. 

Fait avec Coeur: A Brand That Cares

Fait avec Coeur curates gorgeous sustainable products that elevate your everyday life. We believe you should give yourself the love you deserve by treating yourself to products that will make your life better and will last the test of time.

It is our mission to inspire our customers to practice self-love, and we do so through our luxury products. See our range of high quality, sustainably made beauty and wellness products here.