As we know first day of Spring was yesterday, but Mother Nature had different plans, and she has back to Winter. When she lets up, she will bring sniffles, sneezes, and runny eyes. Here’s what I keep in my pocket for allergies:

· Quercetin

· Vitamin C

· Eye drops, Refresh - Omega 3

· Rosewater hand wipes

Quercetin is lovely polyphenol which is a fancy way of saying a pigment from the skin of dark berries. Dark berries are rich in antioxidants. Quercetin is anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory and prevents your body from releasing histamine which is a chemical that causes runny noses, coughs and other allergic reactions.

Vitamin C, that we all know and love, is an excellent tag-team partner with quercetin for stopping histamine release from the production factory in the body called mast cells. It also helps your body in breaking down that pesky histamine. Less histamine means MORE time enjoying the weather without symptoms.

I am always worried about my eye health when wearing contact lenes throughout allergy season. Instead of constantly rubbing my eyes when they are dry and itchy, I use soothing, preservative-free eye drops that give me long-lasting relief.

Rosewater wipes are a mainstay for keeping my hands cleansed and moisturized after touching multiple surfaces working in the clinic and hospital. You never realize how much you touch your face, eyes, and mouth unconsciously. Having wipes at my desk gives me the peace of mind that I’m doing what I can to keep particles and debris out of my eyes when I rub them – even though I know I’m not supposed to. 

See me for a tailored approach to ending allergies and enjoying the spring to come!

Jeffrey Mensah, ND