Seasonal allergies affect over 26 million people in America alone, not to mention the 50 million people who suffer from other types of allergies, leaving many people open to annoying and sometimes life-threatening symptoms. You may be focused during the summer seasons on the pollen counts and the first freeze, but how do you limit your symptoms? The signs generally involve wheezing, coughing, a runny nose, skin rashes, itching and sneezing. Many treatments deal with congestion but they do little else, meaning that most of your symptoms are still present. They also bring with them unwanted side effects, including drowsiness and nasal irritation. The effects of pollen allergies aren’t just physically tiring, they also impact your mental wellbeing. Natural remedies for allergies could be the answer to remove these symptoms without the nasty side effects that pharmaceuticals bring.
Once you know more about your allergy, you can prepare better for dealing with it. This means understanding how your allergy works, so that you can opt for treatments which combat those effects. For example, a pollen allergy involves a prickly cell of pollen entering your nasal cavity and travelling through the nasal passages. These latch on to the mucus membranes which lead to a histamine trigger which results in the symptoms you associate with your allergy. For some people, including those who have asthma, this may also include swelling in the bronchial tubes. Here are some of the natural remedies which could help you avoid this.
1 – Saline Solution
Doctors recommend this form of treatment, as it clears the nasal passages and soothes the respiratory system by removing irritants. The solution can help to clear the passages and reduces some of the inflammation the irritants cause. You can buy this ready made or your can add a teaspoon of salt (not table salt) to a pint of warm, distilled water and add a pinch of baking soda. Gently sniff a little of the solution into one nostril, allowing it to drain back out through the mouth or the nose – you should aim to do this twice a day if possible.
2 – Wash
It may seem like a simple step, but having a shower or a bath can really help if you have allergies. This is because pollen can stick to your clothes and hair throughout the day, meaning your symptoms get progressively worse throughout the day and into the evening. If you wake up in the middle of the night with a coughing fit, a hot shower can work wonders by removing the pollen residues on your body and even removing them from your sinuses through the steam. The warm water will also help you drift off to a peaceful sleep as well afterwards.
3 – Mind the air
Being careful about the air may seem like an impossible task, but it’s really far simpler than it sounds. It really means watching out for triggers which will make your symptoms worse. For example, if the pollen count is particularly high, you may want to stay indoors or limit your time by parks and gardens where it will make your reactions more severe. You can easily check these online or even download an app which will alert you to airborne triggers. Likewise, be aware inside the home as well – why not try keeping fresh air flowing through your home to stop dust and mould spores from building, which can make your allergies worse, especially for people with asthma. Lastly, avoid tobacco smoke which can act as an irritant – if your friends or family smoke, be sure to keep your distance when they’re smoking to avoid the risk of an attack.
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