Breathe Easy: Smart Strategies for Beating Seasonal Allergies

If springtime leaves you sneezing, congested, and rubbing your itchy eyes nonstop, you're not alone. Seasonal allergies affect millions each year, but the secret to lasting relief lies deeper than just popping antihistamines. It starts with understanding a key player in your immune system: mast cells.

Let’s break it down and then dive into three natural, science-backed ways to calm your symptoms and reclaim your seasons.

What Are Mast Cells, and Why Do They Matter?

Mast cells are a type of white blood cell that play a big role in allergic reactions. When you’re exposed to allergens like pollen, dust, or mold, these cells release histamine, which causes the classic allergy symptoms: sneezing, runny nose, congestion, itchy eyes, and even fatigue.

The problem? In allergy sufferers, mast cells are overactive—they misfire and trigger inflammation too easily. So, instead of just treating the symptoms, the smart approach is to calm the mast cells themselves. Here’s how:

Click to watch Dr. Hockstra's video on his top tips to survive allergy season!

1. Naväge Nasal Wash: Rinse Out the Triggers

Airborne allergens like pollen and dust often settle in your nasal passages, where they can continue to irritate and activate mast cells long after you've come indoors. The Naväge Nasal Care System uses a gentle saline rinse with suction to flush out allergens, mucus, and debris from your nasal cavity, providing immediate relief and long-term benefits like:

• Reduced nasal inflammation

• Fewer sinus infections

• Improved breathing and sleep

Tip: Use Naväge once or twice a day—especially after outdoor exposure—to keep your nasal passages allergen-free. Click here to purchase the Navage Nasal Irrigation Kit.

Navage Nasal Irrigation Kit

2. Shower Before Bed: Stop the Pollen Spread

This simple habit can make a massive difference: shower before you go to sleep, or at least take a damp towel and wipe over your face and head. Here’s why: pollen and allergens stick to your skin, hair, and clothing throughout the day. If you go to bed without rinsing off, you’re basically sleeping in a cloud of allergens, which keeps your immune system activated all night long.

A quick shower removes that exposure, helping to:

• Reduce overnight allergy flares

• Improve sleep quality

• Lower your body’s overall allergen load

Bonus: Change your pillowcases and sheets frequently during allergy season to keep your sleep zone as clean as possible.

3. Take 'D-Hist' or 'D-Hist Jr.'

D-Hist and D-Hist Jr. by OrthoMolecular Products are professional-grade supplements designed to support healthy mast cell function and histamine response. Its star ingredients include:

• Quercetin – A plant-based flavonoid known for its ability to stabilize mast cells and reduce histamine release.

• Stinging Nettle Leaf – Traditionally used to ease allergic inflammation.

• NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) – Supports detoxification and thins mucus.

• Bromelain – An enzyme that promotes absorption and reduces inflammation.

• Vitamin C – A natural antihistamine and immune booster.

Note: This can be taken with your current allergy medications to enhance your body's mast cell response. We keep D-Hist and D-Hist Jr. in stock, so call the office today to reserve your bottle or pick one up at your next appointment. You can also purchase through our website through Fullscripts. Call us if you need assistance with your order.

Final Thoughts

Seasonal allergies can feel overwhelming, but by targeting mast cell activation at the root, you can stop chasing symptoms and start enjoying real relief. With Dr. Hockstra's recommendations, you might just be surprised how quickly your allergy season turns from miserable to manageable.