{"id":4126,"date":"2023-05-25T02:29:03","date_gmt":"2023-05-24T19:29:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/4-myths-about-allergies-and-what-to-do-instead\/"},"modified":"2023-05-25T02:29:03","modified_gmt":"2023-05-24T19:29:03","slug":"4-myths-about-allergies-and-what-to-do-instead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=4126","title":{"rendered":"4 Myths About Allergies\u2014And What To Do Instead"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"drop-cap text-big text-gray\"> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">T<\/span>ikTok can be a great place to go for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/hot-girl-walks\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/hot-girl-walks\/\">accessible workout ideas<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/tunacado-recipe\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/tunacado-recipe\/\">unique recipes<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/slugging-products\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/slugging-products\/\">skin-care tips<\/a>. But we all know that it\u2019s also filled with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/dietitian-red-flags-social-media\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/dietitian-red-flags-social-media\/\">misinformation<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/we-fact-checked-the-viral-mouthwash-advice-thats-floating-around-tiktok\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/we-fact-checked-the-viral-mouthwash-advice-thats-floating-around-tiktok\/\">bad advice<\/a> that doesn\u2019t hold up to fact-checking.<\/div>\n<p>Right now, with pollen making its annual springtime assault, there are tons of allergy myths popular on the platform. (Allergies in general are a hot topic at the moment, with one creator even writing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@gabisklar\/video\/7227210070042463531\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@gabisklar\/video\/7227210070042463531\">an allergy season song<\/a> to the beat of SZA\u2019s \u201cBig Boy.\u201d) While many of these allergy \u201ccures\u201d are largely unhelpful, it\u2019s understandable why people may turn to them.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think many people feel that their allergies are getting worse every year and seem to last a lot longer, so they are desperate for advice to help relieve their symptoms,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/drlesliegonzalez\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/drlesliegonzalez\/?hl=en\">Leslie Gonzalez, MD,<\/a> family medicine physician and Zyrtec partner. It\u2019s true: According to allergists, there\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/year-round-allergies\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/year-round-allergies\/\">really no such thing as \u201callergy season\u201d anymore<\/a> as allergies have become a year-round struggle for many people.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/wellness-trap\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/wellness-trap\/\">discerning fact from fiction when it comes to your health<\/a> is vital to your well-being. Dr. Gonzalez shares some examples of bad advice you might see (and good advice to follow instead).<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline pr-6 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/myths-about-allergies\/\" current-title=\"You\u2019re Gonna Wanna Avoid These 4 Bad Pieces of Allergy Advice Going Around TikTok\" current-image=\"GettyImages-myths-about-allergies-425x285.jpg\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2022-11-24\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/myths-about-allergies\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/myths-about-allergies\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/myths-about-allergies\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Myth 1: Your allergies are actually a \u201cleaky gut\u201d<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/guthealth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/guthealth\">Gut health content is also booming on TikTok<\/a> right now, but, despite what some creators might have you think, it\u2019s not always the cause of all your issues. Dr. Gonzalez explains that malabsorption, where your gastrointestinal tract has difficulty absorbing nutrients from foods, is a thing; however, contrary to some TikTok advice, it\u2019s not the same as an allergy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAllergies, both in symptoms and treatment, are completely different,\u201d she says. \u201cAllergies are the result of a chain reaction of chemicals that release histamine in response to allergen exposure that results in the symptoms we commonly experience.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, since allergies can quickly turn into sinus infections, she adds, it\u2019s best to treat those symptoms (such as a sore throat, runny nose, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/allergies-breathing-treatments\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/allergies-breathing-treatments\/\">congestion that makes breathing difficult<\/a>, sneezing, or itchy eyes and nose) immediately.<\/p>\n<h3>Myth 2: You need to eliminate dairy from your diet<\/h3>\n<p>According to Dr. Gonzalez, this tip isn\u2019t <em>completely<\/em> without merit, just unnecessary, especially to such an extreme point. \u201cDairy can sometimes cause an increase in mucus in the body,\u201d she says. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t recommend this as a solution for seasonal allergies, but more so something to try if you have a bad cold or cough, as tons of dairy sometimes makes this worse.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She adds that getting rid of dairy isn\u2019t the key to your itchy, watery eyes; an itchy nose and throat; or similar symptoms (though <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/pollen-allergy-food-syndrome\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/pollen-allergy-food-syndrome\/\">some fruits and veggies can cause seasonal allergies<\/a>, FYI!). Side note: Cutting out your favorite yogurts and cheeses <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/is-dairy-bad-for-your-gut\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/is-dairy-bad-for-your-gut\/\">won\u2019t make major changes to your gut<\/a>, either.<\/p>\n<h3>Myth 3: A spoonful of local honey is a cure-all<\/h3>\n<p>Dr. Gonzalez says this myth is another slippery slope that\u2019s not as helpful as some TikTok creators may have you believe\u2014for a couple of reasons. \u201cIf you don\u2019t purchase the correct honey, meaning one that contains the key allergens that you are allergic to (which can be hard to identify), it will not help,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd even if it is local, raw honey, there\u2019s no guarantee that it will lessen symptoms.\u201d She explains that the type of pollen bees convert into honey typically isn\u2019t the same kind that causes seasonal allergies (namely, trees, grass, and weeds). \u201cHoney is great for tea, on your toast, or even as a treat, but not for allergies!\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Myth 4: Tapping cold items on your face is the answer<\/h3>\n<p>Some creators have shared videos of themselves reaching into their fridge or freezer to grab something like a cold soda can or frozen spoon, then tapping it around their eye area. \u201cRather than putting (likely non-sterilized) items from the fridge\/freezer on your face, I\u2019d recommend washing or rinsing your eyes and face regularly throughout the day with cold water or applying a cold compress instead,\u201d Dr. Gonzalez says. \u201cKeeping your face and eye area clean and free of allergens will help way more in the long run than just applying a cool object temporarily.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>So, what are some *actually* helpful allergy tips?<\/h2>\n<p>For proven and effective ways to treat your pesky allergy symptoms, Dr. Gonzalez has a few recommendations about what to do instead:<\/p>\n<h3>1. Keep your hands and body clean<\/h3>\n<p>For the record, we know you\u2019re probably already doing this, but it doesn\u2019t hurt to be reminded! Dr. Gonzalez notes that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/body-washes-for-sensitive-skin\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/body-washes-for-sensitive-skin\/\">washing up<\/a> is especially important if you\u2019ve spent any time outdoors. And she encourages changing clothes after doing yard work.<\/p>\n<h3>2. Keep your spaces clean and ventilated<\/h3>\n<p>Repeat after us (and Dr. Gonzalez): <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/cleaning-for-allergy-season\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/cleaning-for-allergy-season\/\">Vacuum daily, dust often<\/a>. Additionally, she mentions washing bedding regularly and considering reducing fabrics that allergens can bind to. For example, switch out your carpet for hardwood flooring, if you can.<\/p>\n<p>She also encourages improving ventilation and replacing HVAC filters more frequently than recommended, especially when your allergy symptoms hit hardest.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Be mindful of when and how long you\u2019re outdoors<\/h3>\n<p>When the wind is strong or pollen counts are high\u2014like in the early morning\u2014stay inside if you can, Dr. Gonzalez says. Not sure how to check the pollen count? Dr. Gonzalez suggests <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zyrtec.com\/allergy-forecast\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.zyrtec.com\/allergy-forecast\">Zyrtec\u2019s app AllergyCast<\/a>, saying it \u201cprovides access to personalized allergy forecasts, live pollen counts, and a symptom tracker to help allergy sufferers get ahead of their allergies.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>4. Take medicine as needed<\/h3>\n<p>While you don\u2019t need to take medicine preemptively, it\u2019s smart to take ASAP after symptoms pop up. \u201cI recommend that my patients take Zyrtec immediately after the first signs of an allergic response, and then continue to take it throughout the season as needed,\u201d Dr. Gonzalez says. (FYI, Zyrtec is the number-one allergist-recommended brand among over-the-counter oral antihistamines, though others\u2014such as Allegra and Claritin\u2014work, too.)<\/p>\n<p>\u201c[It] starts working at hour one, providing a full 24 hours of prescription-strength relief so allergy sufferers can enjoy the day without having to worry about allergy symptoms getting in the way\u2026and works twice as hard when taken again the next day,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n<p>Overall, Dr. Gonzalez warns against trusting everything you see on the internet. \u201cBe sure to take advice on there with a grain of salt, and always consult a medical professional for any guidance when it comes to your health.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async defer src=\"https:\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>TikTok can be a great place to go for accessible workout ideas, unique recipes, and skin-care tips. But we all know that it\u2019s also filled with misinformation and bad advice that doesn\u2019t hold up to fact-checking. Right now, with pollen making its annual springtime assault, there are tons of allergy myths popular on the platform. &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4127,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4126","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4126","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4126"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4126\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4127"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4126"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4126"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4126"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}