Giant Food pharmacists on hand to help with longer allergy season

Spring flowers are welcomed by many, but feared by those suffering through allergy season and all of the sneezing, congestion and red eyes that come with it. Giant Food on Wednesday announced that its pharmacists are on hand to offer expertise to help consumers prevent and combat allergy symptoms and can also assist with OTC and Rx allergy products.

And that's good news, as the allergy season every year seems to get longer. Today, the National Wildlife Federation estimates that allergy season now lasts 27 days longer, as a result of rising global temperatures.

Early prevention is key, and even if pollen counts are still on the lower side right now, it's a great time to get a head start on healthy habits. To help consumers manage allergy season, Giant's team of pharmacists came together to share their best tips and tricks.

The top five pieces of advice are:

• Mindful eating. Nutrition plays a large part in how your body reacts to allergy season, and it's important that you nourish your body with food that doesn't aggravate your allergies. Reduce the level of histamines in your system by eating onions, peppers, berries and parsley, which all have quercetin. When in doubt, you can schedule a personal consultation with a Giant Food nutritionist to review your questions and build a healthy shopping list;


• Drink more (and less). Studies have found that alcohol can worsen allergies and increase sneezing, itching, headaches and coughing. Histamine is the culprit and is produced during the fermentation process. Try to limit weekday cocktails and opt for water instead. Drinking more water will reduce the levels of histamine in your system and help alleviate symptoms;


• Ditch indoor plants with pollen. Many people own houseplants, unaware that they're actively producing pollen. Common indoor plants that produce pollen include: daisies, bonsais, chamomile, male palms and chrysanthemums. There is enough pollen to worry about outside without bringing it in the home;


• Head-to-toe spring cleaning. Even when practicing caution, people are likely to come in contact with allergens throughout the day and can carry them home with them. Their hair, shoes, clothing and pets will all collect outside allergens and bring them inside. Leaving shoes at the door and showering immediately after returning home will help reduce symptoms;


• Keep windows closed. It may feel hard to shut the window on a warm spring day, but it's recommended for consumers who are very susceptible to allergies. It's recommended to keep their windows closed to prevent the wind from carrying pollen inside during allergy season. This is especially true for the bedroom to ensure they don't wake up with itchy, swollen eyes as the mornings are when pollen is released the most.