Sport against allergies
Many young people with allergies deprive themselves of sports activities when it is recommended that they do so. Discover all our avenues to thwart the enemy's traps on their own ground ...
An evil not to be underestimated
Adolescence is a period of identification with the tribe or group in which we want to integrate and whose codes we want to share. The young person who suffers from allergy is very often restricted and slowed down in the activities of his age, because of his symptoms. Thus, nearly one in two patients with allergic rhinitis, regardless of age, give up certain social, sports or leisure activities because of their pathology. They are also more prone to anxiety, depression or discomfort than other people their age. Being allergic can however be combined with a “normal” social life, in particular by practicing an adapted sporting activity!
Sport as a remedy
Sport helps you get to know yourself better, develop your physical abilities, learn to control your breathing, reduce anxiety and improve your self-confidence. The practice of sport also helps to fight against the neglect often observed in the allergic young people. In this sense, the practice of physical activity should be widely encouraged in people suffering from an allergy. The more regular the sport, the greater the benefits. Few physical activities should be avoided by allergy sufferers as long as they have their treatment on them, talk to their sports teacher and take certain precautions.
Precautions that must be taken
Both outdoors and indoors, always give priority to warming up which helps to control the breath. Start with a continuous exercise of moderate intensity for about 15 minutes, followed by short exercises of 30 to XNUMX seconds with rest. And hydrate yourself!
- Outside: as part of an outdoor activity, take care of the temperature. Avoid sudden changes in mercury and protect yourself by equipping yourself with a hat and scarf in cold weather. Beware of pollens: to avoid being subjected to pollens emanating from trees or lawns in spring, it seems logical to consult the pollen alerts and to choose your exit time, before practicing your activity in the open air. You can also protect your nose with a cloth or pollen and dust filters, suitable for the nostrils. Wearing pollen filters protects the nasal mucosa of those passionate about activities in the countryside because everything becomes complicated when a cyclist allergic to grasses must, during his training or his race, cross a risk zone in full pollen peak. When you return from your outdoor activity: rinse your hair thoroughly and put your clothes in the machine to remove residual pollens.
- Inside: people who are allergic to dust mites should be extra vigilant during their activities in the gym. Think about the ventilation of the room and the concentration of dust on the carpets. In agreement with the supervisory staff, pay particular attention to the condition of the carpets to eliminate dust and destroy mite nests, as well as to ventilate the room.
- In the water: go swimming but, if you are allergic, equip yourself with glasses and nose clips. Prefer the outdoor pool to the indoor pool, or choose a pool that is preferably decontaminated with ozone rather than chlorine. If necessary, wash the sinuses with physiological serum after the session. In case of eczema, consider using a moisturizer right out of the water.
- On horseback: given the extremely volatile nature of horse allergens, allergic horse riding enthusiasts will avoid all brushing activities in the box which expose the animal's dander, mold and dust mites. In case of asthma, do not forget your preventive treatment.
- Last advice: whatever your sporting hobby, always remember to have your level of discomfort and handicap assessed by a specialist. In the event of the appearance of a respiratory sign or of worsening, consult your doctor to re-check.
