What’s Causing Your Allergies
An allergy is when your immune system reacts to something thats normally harmless to most people. If you come into contact with a substance that your immune system views as a threat, called an allergen, it responds by releasing a chemical called histamine and other substances, says Lakiea Wright, M.D., a Board Certified Physician in Internal Medicine and Allergy and Immunology.
And that’s what feels like trouble to you. Whether your immune system thinks it’s threatened by anything from pollen and mold to animals and food, you might find yourself sneezing, blowing your nose, and rubbing your bloodshot and teary eyes all day long.
If you want some relief in addition to allergy medicationsand in a 2017 survey of allergists, 81 percent said they had patients who did want alternative or natural allergy remediesthere are a few non-drug remedies that may help.
Middle And External Ear Infections
A middle ear infection can cause ear congestion, as well as dizziness, ear pain, and occasionally fluid drainage. Theyre usually caused by colds or other respiratory problems that travel to the middle ear through the Eustachian tube.
External ear infections, also known as swimmers ear, are usually caused by water that remains in your ear after swimming or bathing, providing an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. You may experience pain, itching, redness, and clear fluid drainage or a discharge of pus.
Ear infections often resolve without treatment. Over-the-counter ear drops and pain medication can help relieve your symptoms. If your symptoms are severe or last more than two days, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
Consume More Vitamin C
The antihistamine and immune-boosting properties of vitamin C play crucial roles in managing allergy symptoms, preventing infections, and reducing the duration of illness.
Directions:
- Consume vitamin C-rich foods, such as oranges, lemons, broccoli, kiwi, potatoes, strawberries, grapefruit, tomatoes, sprouts, and bell peppers.
- Alternatively, take vitamin C supplements upon consulting your doctor.
While multiple studies support the use of these therapies for reducing various symptoms of allergic rhinitis, more rigorous research is needed to conclusively establish their efficacy, safety, and mechanism of action.
Vitamin C is credited with significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential that can help in the management of various allergies, including allergic rhinitis.
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The Best Natural Remedy For Allergies
The best natural remedy for allergies is, when possible, avoidance. Both doctors and natural healers will suggest that you limit or avoid allergens, which are what causes your allergic reaction.
You should avoid exposure to your allergens. For example, if youve had an allergic reaction to a sulfa drug, let your doctor know about your allergy. Theyll most likely prescribe an alternate antibiotic if youll ever need one.
That being said, some allergens are hard to avoid. In that case, after discussing your symptoms with your doctor, you might consider a home remedy for allergies to deal with the results of exposure to an allergen.
Allergies Vs Sinus Infection
Allergies can develop at any point in your life. While allergies tend to come up during childhood, its possible to develop allergies to new substances as an adult.
This type of reaction is caused by a negative response to a substance. Your immune system responds by releasing a chemical called histamine, which can then cause symptoms such as headache, sneezing, and congestion. Its also possible to feel foggy and develop a skin rash.
Severe allergies can lead to a cold-like condition called allergic rhinitis. With allergic rhinitis, you can have the above symptoms as well as itchy eyes. This itchiness is one of the key distinguishing factors between allergies and sinusitis.
A sinus infection, on the other hand, occurs when your nasal passages become inflamed. Sinusitis is most often caused by viruses. When the nasal cavity gets inflamed, mucus builds up and gets stuck, further compounding the problem.
Along with nasal congestion and headache, sinusitis causes pain around your cheeks and eyes. Sinus infections also cause thick, discolored mucus, and bad breath.
Compare the following symptoms to see if you have allergies or a possible sinus infection. Its also possible to have both conditions at the same time.
| Allergies |
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Natural Remedies For Seasonal Allergies
At this time of year, many people are suffering from seasonal allergies. The symptoms can include itching, sneezing, congestion and runny nose, headaches, red or watery eyes, and so on. They can vary from mild to severe, acute to chronic.
Seasonal allergies, sometimes referred to as hay fever, result from exposure to spores or pollen released into the atmosphere by fungi, grasses, trees, and other plants. That plant material is mistaken for an invasive protein by your bodys immune system, leading to the production of chemicals like histamine. Histamine attempts to attack or expel the invader, resulting in the bothersome symptoms described above. Those who experience seasonal allergies are also intolerant to certain foods which they cannot easily digest. The poorly digested food is often regurgitated back into the respiratory tract leading to many of the allergy symptoms noted above. The big food culprit is dairy products followed by eggs, poultry, red meat, bread/wheat, certain nuts, and alcohol. With the immune system becoming increasing compromised with continued consumption of the biggest food culprits, the person become more sensitized to other food triggers and environmental triggers.
1) Hydration through Water
When the respiratory and digestive systems are dehydrated, the immune system will cause a rebound effect leading to nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and/or coughing. Do the following in order to optimize your hydration:
2) Saline nasal rinses
Believe It Or Not Snot Helps Keep You Healthy
Snot is simply the everyday term for mucus produced in your nasal passageways, where it acts like flypaper to trap inhaled germs, allergens, and dust before they can cause harm. In addition to being sticky, snot is loaded with antiviral and antibacterial proteins that fight off germs, according to research published in February 2016 in Cell Host & Microbe.
“Snot’s purpose is to keep the lining of the nose moist, explains Spencer C. Payne, MD, an associate professor of otolaryngology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville. The drier the lining, the more prone you are to infection.”
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Honey Sweet In Taste And Effective In Head Congestion
Honeyhas a lot of medicinal properties. It contains antiviral as well as antibacterial properties that help the congestion patients by soothing the throat, chest and nose, thereby relaxing the head, and building stronger immunity. Honey is something you can take any way you like as it is the tastiest of all the home remedies for head congestion. In Asian countries, honey is used as a protector against cold and people start taking this with milk before bedtime as soon as winters begin.
To use honey as one of the home remedies for head congestion, you can have it mixed in a cup of tea, or the glass of milk you have before going to bed. You can even eat it raw, as it tastes good. But be sure you have good quality honey, which is one of the best home remedies for head congestion. If the quality of honey is poor, or it is adulterated, then you will see no relief in your condition. And in the worst case, you may see the symptoms getting worst. So, be sure about the quality of not only honey but all the natural products given in the list of home remedies for head congestion as their quality determines their effectiveness.
Protect Your Kid’s Eyes
Itchy, red, teary eyes are one of the most aggravating symptoms of allergies. The itch stems from inflammation of the mucous membrane covering the whites of the eyes and inner eyelids. The fix: Keep pollen away from your child’s face. Edith Schussler, M.D., a pediatric allergist at Weill Cornell Medicine, in New York City, advises wearing sunglasses and a hat with a brim. Kids touch their face all the time, but with these accessories on, your child will be less likely to rub their eyes.
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Visit A Sinus Specialist In Detroit
If all else fails, schedule an appointment with your local sinus specialist or ENT doctor. Detroit Sinus Center offers a variety of sinus treatments ranging from prescription medications to non-invasive surgeries. Well help you through allergy season so you can breathe easy once again. Contact us today to schedule your appointment with our sinus specialists in Detroit!
When To See A Doctor For Sinus Pain
If your sinus symptoms are not getting better with at-home treatments, and if your sinus symptoms last longer than seven to 10 days, you should see a doctor for treatment. Allina Health has many convenient care options for care, from online visits to walk-in care, to help you get better fast.
If you have frequent or reoccurring sinus infections, you may want to see an ear, nose and throat for your treatment options.
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What Are Some Seasonal Allergy Treatments
Prevention is key for seasonal allergy relief. The following tips can help your recovery:
- Remove any plants that could be causing your reaction. Its common for people to be allergic to hard-to-see things like pollen.
- Change your daily routine so that youre not around the source of your discomfort. Avoid the outdoors between 5:00 am and 10:00 am. Save outside activities for late afternoon or after a heavy rain, when pollen counts are lower.
- Change your clothes when you get home to avoid tracking allergens around your living space.
- Keep windows in your home and car closed to lower exposure to pollen. To keep cool, use air conditioners and avoid using window fans.
Regularly Take Local Honey
Local honey is thought to help mitigate seasonal allergies by offering some exposure to pollen.
One small 2013 study found that high doses of honey might help reduce allergy symptoms. But other studies, including one small 2002 study, found no evidence that honey helps with allergies.
Ultimately, the research is inconclusive. But there’s little harm in trying this method to see if it works for you.
Moreover, honey has been found to ease coughing and other symptoms of upper respiratory infections, and it offers a number of other health benefits.
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Use The Remedies Before You Sleep
Your body needs sufficient rest to heal itself, but getting enough sleep when you have a runny nose can be rather difficult. The discomfort and difficulty breathing tends to keep you up at night.
Based on this, it might be a good idea to use the remedies listed right before you go to bed. Do your best to clear your mucus before bed to ease the congestion. You might fall asleep a little easier.
If youre down with a runny nose, its best to stay at home and rest. Youll also be sparing others from the risk of catching your cold. Do your best to ensure that you get enough sleep to allow your body to gather strength to heal itself.
Bay Leaves Can Be Of Great Use In Head Congestion
We usually use it to spice up our veggies, and to give an appealing fragrance to rice etc, but do you know bay leaves are also home remedies for head congestion? Yes, bay leaf is also one of the most effective herbal cures for head congestion. And not only head congestion, but it is also an excellent treatment for all the other symptoms related to seasonal allergies, cough and acute cold. Using it in veggies is simple, but to use bay leaves as home remedies for head congestion, you have to use it differently.
You can consume it in the form of tea, although it is different from the tea we have daily. To prepare the tea of bay leaf, boil a cup of water and add a bay leaf to the boiling water. Let it steep for a few minutes. Drink after removing the leaf from the water. You can have it two times a day to get relief from head congestion, a simple yet effective home remedy for head congestion.
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Home Remedies For Allergy Symptoms
As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, allergy symptoms start up again for many people due to the increased pollen production. Other allergens can include dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores. Common symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, congestion, rhinitis, and itchy eyes.
If you find yourself miserable each spring and summer, keep reading to learn about home remedies that can relieve your allergy symptoms. If you experience recurring or persistent sinus congestion, it is important to determine if the cause is sinusitis or allergies.
Otc Medications For Allergies
If these natural remedies and lifestyle changes are not cutting it for you, you may want to try over the counterallergy medicines, including antihistamines like Claritin, Xyzal, and Zyrtec. These are what are called second-generation antihistamines, which means they are less likely to cause drowsiness, Mehdizadeh says.
You can also try Benadryl, which is a first-generation antihistamine. Meaning it’s more likely to cause drowsiness and is best to take at night.
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Make Onion A Part Of Salad And Get Rid Of Head Congestion
The antibacterial and antiviral properties of onion soothe inflammation and soreness of throat. In summers in saves you from heatstroke, while in winters, it is an aid against blocked nasal passage and congested head. Onion has many more roles, thanks to the unbelievable medicinal properties it carries.
Using onions as home remedies for head congestion is extremely simple. The person suffering from congestion simply has to intake one teaspoon of raw onion juice on an empty stomach every morning. You can also have raw onion in a salad or use onion while cooking, making it one of the best home remedies for head congestion. Adding the onion slices to any vegetable you are making increases its taste as well as medicinal value of that dish.
Get Plenty Of Vitamin C
Antioxidants like vitamin C can help your body fight inflammation and may also ease allergy symptoms.
In one large 2013 study among children in Korea, those with an increased vitamin C intake had fewer allergy symptoms. A small 2020 study also found that allergy sufferers who took daily vitamin C supplements improved their allergy symptoms.
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Menthol Rubs Or Menthol Lozenges
Time to whip out the good old Axe Oil your grandfather keeps in his back pocket!
While your neighbourhood coffee shop uncles favour Axe Oil, there are other brands of menthol rubs. You can find Vicks, Tiger Balm, Olbas Mentholatum and many more at your local convenience store or pharmacy. If your skin is sensitive to oils and rubs, you can opt to suck on a lozenge instead.
However, you should be aware that menthol doesnt do much to ease nasal congestion. What they do is trigger menthol receptors in your nose that makes you feel like youre breathing better.
Menthol rubs and lozenges can also help with other cold symptoms like cough and sore throat that comes hand-in-hand with runny noses.
When using menthol rubs, avoid rubbing it directly in or on your nose. The skin around your nose is sensitive, and these rubs might cause skin irritation. Instead, apply a small amount below your nose or on your upper lip.
Heres a quick breakdown on the effectiveness and risks that come with the 5 home remedies for a runny nose.
| Type of remedy | ||
| Might face difficulty in picking out a suitable brand. | Not effective in runny nose relief, but it helps you feel better. | Potential allergy to chemicals or skin irritation. |
Flush Your Nose With Saline Water
Nasal congestion associated with allergic rhinitis can be treated with a saline nasal wash, which helps facilitate the easy removal of excess mucus.
Both over-the-counter and homemade saline solutions can be used for nasal irrigation, but one study found self-made hypertonic solutions to be 0.9% more effective than commercial isotonic ones. It is best if you consult your doctor to decide which one is most suitable for you.
Directions:
Nasal irrigation with warm saline solution dilutes the thick mucus clogging your airways and helps flush it out along with other irritants that may be trapped inside the nose. This is a fairly safe method to clear a clogged nose, provided its done correctly.
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Taking Steam Of Water Mixed With Eucalyptus Oil
Taking steam helps, and this needs no proofs. All of us have used this method at some point in time in our lives. But the benefits of taking steam can be doubled just by the addition of essential oil- eucalyptus oil. Eucalyptus oil is an oil extracted from the eucalyptus tree, and it is known because of its medicinal properties. Eucalyptus oil can be added to the water you use for taking steam. It makes the mucus soft and makes the way for it to come out, thereby removing pressure from your head. It can also effectively relieve you from common symptoms like burning sensation and inflamed throat.
All you need to do to use eucalyptus oil as one of the home remedies for head congestion is just add a few drops of this oil in boiling water. Then breathe in the steam of water with eucalyptus oils aroma mixed in it. To enhance the effect, cover your head with a towel. Apart from having steam of essence of eucalyptus oil, Epsom salt bath is the next thing that can be helpful. Taking this bath is good for muscle relaxation, bone spur, and even respiratory problems like congestion, and a really powerful home remedy for head congestion.