Seasonal Allergies: 6 Tips For Sports During Hay Fever
Facing Pollen Allergy Head-on
In our last blog we covered the common problem of pollen allergies, which experts refer to as “hay fever,” “allergic rhinitis,” or “seasonal allergic rhinitis”. We also discussed the impact of pollen allergy on the bodies of athletes, and answered the burning question of “Can I exercise with seasonal allergies?”
In this blog we’re going to delve deeper into ‘How one can mitigate allergy symptoms‘, but also ‘How face masks—and in particular NAROO’s sports masks—can keep you working out or competing outdoors without your body working against you’.
Impact of hayfever on performance
Nasal congestion caused by colds and hayfever can impair nasal function and affect sports performance and enjoyment.
Hay fever symptoms can lead to sleep deprivation, anxiety, and increased fatigue, which can negatively impact athletic performance. However, hay fever has been shown to negatively impact sleep and mood, and can impair sports and athletic performance.
Tip #1: How To Stop Pollen Allergy Symptoms? Seek Dedicated Allergy Medication
Note: Please consult with your doctor before making any changes to your medication.
Treating allergic symptoms with over-the-counter medication such as antihistamines and decongestants is very common. Unfortunately, navigating the effects some of them may have on the body of an athlete, as well as any potential legal complications for those competing professionally, is a stressful and lengthy process. That being said, it’s perfectly possible to find the medical solution that fits your body and needs as an athlete. Just make sure to consult with your personal physician and/or the physician of your sports medicine team if you’re a professional.
Tip #2: Can pollen allergy cause difficulty breathing? Yes, So Control Your Indoor Environment
As the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) says, “allergy and asthma control begins at home.” While staying inside may not be an option for most athletes, improving indoor air quality can reduce your overall exposure to allergy and asthma triggers. No one likes the idea of having to face how unhygienic our home, work, or car environment can be, but tackling those spaces room by room can spare you from much allergic grief. So remember to clean thoroughly, and look at your home air purifying options.
Tip #3: How to Prevent Itchy Eyes? Protect Your Eyes During Allergy Season
We tend to think of pollen allergy as something that only affects our upper and lower respiratory health, but those itchy, welling eyes you get with a faceful of spring aren’t due to the season’s breathtaking beauty. Allergies—including pollen-induced allergy—affect your ocular health in some pretty nasty, unwelcome ways. As an athlete, under the guidance of your doctor, you can wear contact lenses, glasses, or goggles in order to protect your eyes, but beware of the downsides to the first, such as the increased risk of bacterial infection, irritation, and more.
Tip #4: Check Pollen Count to Help Allergies
Checking your area’s latest pollen count can significantly help you when you’re planning outdoor exercise. While pollen levels are usually at their highest “before dawn and in the late afternoon to early evening”, your reaction to them has many variables. It’s therefore advisable to keep track of them through a regularly updated pollen forecast. Thankfully, there are many pollen monitoring stations in the world, so you are most likely to find accurate information about the presence and quantities of pollen in your area.
Tip #5: How to Avoid Pollen Allergies? A Well-Balanced Diet
According to the study “Dietary Interventions in Pollen-Related Food Allergy,” “up to 90% of pollen-sensitized individuals are allergic to foods that cross-react with pollen”. After all, our dietary habits affect our health in many ways, so it stands to reason that even seasonal allergies would have their ties to them. As Sarah Garone, NDTR of Healthline advises, “from reducing inflammation to boosting the immune system, there are a number of dietary choices that may help mitigate the miseries of seasonal allergies.” You may also benefit from avoiding foods connected to the type of pollen you are most allergic to.
Tip #6: Use a face mask for relief. Wear a Pollen Allergy Mask
Nothing will protect your nasal cavity, and respiratory system better than face coverings, and as a new study conducted in Turkey supports, “face mask usage can be considered a preventive measure to minimize allergen exposure in high-risk environments.” When exercising outdoors and being exposed directly to irritants, a face mask is a must-have sports accessory for protecting your airways.
As pollen particle sizes typically range from 9μm (microns) to 200μm, surgical masks—which filter particles as small as 3μm—are a good option, and even cloth masks can help. That being said, these specific types of masks are not very sports-friendly options for any athlete on the go. This is where sports masks that counteract allergies come into play, and where we at NAROO can help you stay active while staying pollen-free.
Why NAROO Sports Masks?
Unlike the typical go-to options for masks—N95 respirators, surgical, or cloth masks—NAROO’s sports masks are designed and developed for athletes. Our filtering F-Series is not only made to filter particles as small as 1.7μm, but offers more breathability, reusability, and variety than most heavy-duty options, while improving on their filtering capabilities.
An athlete who needs to comfortably and safely train outdoors—be it going on a simple run, cycling, or preparing for a professional event—needs a reliable, flexible, breathable filtering mask specifically designed for rigorous activity. NAROO masks do not require a change of filter, and retain their properties even after being washed 100 times. They are a dependable, scientifically certified solution made for reducing your exposure to pollen without reducing your time outdoors.
“Intended for everyday use and for amateur and professional athletics, NAROO face covers protect people on the go in environments with pollen, dust, in hot or cold weather. They are easy-breathing and filter out environmental agents that cause breathing difficulties or trigger allergy.” — AllergyUK
“Both the NAROO Mask F.U+ and F.U+ Copper are masks worth considering if you are looking for a new form of pollution protection. The masks are affordable, long-lasting and tests have shown that they are capable of both high initial filtration efficiency and retaining high efficiency after many wash cycles.” — Ethan Brooke, BreatheSafeAir.com
More tips for balancing seasonal allergies and outdoor exercise
In addition to the previous tips, there are measures you can take to manage allergy symptoms when exercising outside. So here are some additional tips:
- Exercise away from wind tunnels.
- Try to incorporate stretching, yoga, and circuits for a full-body strengthening workout.
- Do some of the training indoors.
- Shower or change clothes immediately after exercise to remove pollen.
Written by Vasia Tolou
