Allergies and the Runner

How to Survive Allergies for the Dedicated Runner

Runners workout in all kinds of weather conditions; rain, sleet, hot, cold, sunny or cloudy.  They may check the weather to find a better window of opportunity but they are out there every day persevering for the love of the sport.  Still, I don’t know many athletes who aren’t over-joyed at the first sign of spring and warmer weather - unless you suffer from allergies.

It only takes about 10 minutes of being outside before you feel that telltale itch in your nose, that gritty feeling in your eyes and that tickle in your throat. Oh, joy, it’s pollen season!

Don't be caught unprepared for the onslaught of pollen.  As soon as it begins to get warm or you see the first blooms of spring and you are donning a t-shirt and shorts take action.

Sublingual immunotherapy is an alternative way to treat allergies without injections. According to a 2009 World Allergy Organization (WAO) paper, SLIT is widely accepted and used in European, South American, and Asian countries as well as in Australia and is gaining interest from allergists in the United States. (1)

And let’s face it.  Shots can be expensive, and over-the-counter allergy remedies leave you feeling like you need to take a nap – not a good option if you are planning a 5K run.  

Allergy drops have been getting a lot of attention from many reputable medical sources lately, and for good reason - they work!

A few other tips to help you run your way through pollen season:

·         To keep from inhaling allergens invest in a good allergy-proof face mask. You can find all sorts of masks and face cover-ups on amazon.  If your allergies are really extreme, you may want to purchase sport goggles to keep your eyes clear. Yes, you'll look a little silly but it’s worth the strange stares.

·         Plan your run time when pollen counts are low like late in the evening or after a rain shower.

·         Once you are back home, immediately remove your pollen-packed clothes and hop into the shower.

·         Use a saline spray to clear out your nasal passages, where allergens love to attach themselves.

·         And always remember to stretch, rehydrate, and refuel to keep your immune system as its peak!

Don’t let Spring allergens keep you from the finish line.  Order your SLIT allergy drops today or try the new allergy tabs at meditrend.com.