Watch Out For Natural Allergy Remedies
Neti pots and nasal rinse squeeze bottles can provide relief if youre looking for medicine-free ways to treat your allergies. However, Dr. Eidelman says its important to use distilled water with them to avoid getting infections and dont use ice-cold water unless you enjoy brain freeze. Most of these methods just involve flushing out the nasal cavity with salt water and theyre fairly safe when used correctly.
If you have tree pollen or plant allergies, he recommends steering clear of herbal remedies.
If you have pollen allergies, I dont recommend anything herbal. For example, people who are allergic to ragweed sometimes have serious allergic reactions to echinacea. Echinacea is a commonly used immune stimulant. Its an herbal product, derived from the purple coneflower, which is a close relative of ragweed. So, dont take echinacea if youre allergic to ragweed. With herbal products, keep in mind that just because somethings natural, it doesnt mean that youre not going to be allergic to it.
Are You Really Struggling With Allergies
Stay out of the pollen and talk to an eCare medical provider anytime, anywhere 24/7 for nonurgent health issues, including cough, sinus discomfort and sore throat.
An allergy happens when the immune system reacts to a substance, such as pollen, and releases histamine, a chemical found in some of the bodys cells. After histamine is released, ;symptoms appear in the nose, sinuses, eyes, throat and even ears, skin and stomach. Many times the result is a runny nose, sneezing, headaches, itchy and watery eyes and sore throat.
If youre struggling, there are some things you can do to reduce your reactions and also soothe your symptoms, according to Rachel Alexander, APRN, Norton eCare:
1. Limit your time outdoors. Pollen counts are highest in midday, early evening and when its windy.
2. Use air conditioning both in the car and in your home. Consider a HEPA filter for your home.
3. Shower in the evening to wash the pollen off before bedtime. Be sure to thoroughly wash your hair. The steam from the shower is sometimes beneficial in relieving symptoms.
4. Use a saline rinse to clear pollen from nasal passages. There are several varieties out there, from neti pots to special sprayers and even electronic devices. Talk to your health care provider about the best options for you.
5. Keep pets out of your bedroom if they have been outdoors. This reduces the amount of pollen in your sleeping area.
6. Dry clothes in a dryer, not outdoors on a clothesline.
Treating Allergies On The Skin
For allergic reactions that cause skin symptoms, including those associated with allergens found in animal saliva, poisonous plants, drugs, chemicals and metals, additional treatment options include:
- Topical corticosteroid creams or tablets. Corticosteroids contain steroids that reduce inflammation and itching. Mild forms of these creams can be found online, and a doctor can prescribe stronger versions.
- Moisturizing creams. Emollient creams with soothing ingredients, such as calamine can treat skin reactions.
- Bite or sting medication. Medication targeted to reduce allergic reactions to insect bites or stings have a similar effect to other allergy medications.
- Ice pack. Applying an ice pack wrapped in cloth to the area for 10- to 15-minute intervals can reduce inflammation.
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Relief Tips For Pet Dander
The allergens from cats and dogs come from the saliva or their actual dander or skin and not so much from their fur. The ultimate thing to get allergy relief is not to have a pet at all, but in case if you cant then try to keep your pet out of the bedroom. Never allow the animals sleep in the bed with you because mostly you have fabrics in your room. Keep your pets in areas where you dont have carpets.
Ways To Outsmart Your Allergies
Surprising triggers and tips to stay healthy.
Those sneezy, itchy-eyed, congested months can last well into late fall, as different trees, then grasses and, finally, weeds bombard the air with pollen. If that werent irritating enough, outdoor mold starts to release airborne spores starting in summer and continuing through fall, which can cause further irritation. In fact, reactions to mold as well as ragweed may be even more of a problem in certain parts of the country this summer because of heavier-than-usual rainfall.
If youre sneezing like crazy, dont just wait for a drop in the temperature to stamp out your allergy misery. Heres how to stay outside, active, and virtually symptom freeall allergy season long.
quicklist: 1category: Ways to Outsmart Your Allergiestitle: Rethink Your Exercise Planurl: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Allergies/ways-outsmart-allergies/story?id=18840620text: You breathe harder and suck in more air when youre exercising than when youre, say, watching TV. The more air you inhale, the more airborne pollen and mold spores you suck in too. Thats why its important to take your workout indoors when your allergies are acting up or on days with very high pollen or mold counts. Check here for daily local levels.
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Proper Pet Care And Handling
If youre a pet owner or youre planning to be one, you should know that exposure to pet hair and dander can cause allergy headaches. How you handle and care for your companion animal will determine how effectively youll be able to ward off the headaches.
If youre allergic to a particular household pet, you may be better off keeping it outdoors. If its a dog, consider building it a cozy doghouse, for example. If you think the pet must be kept indoors, keep it away from certain areas of the house like your bedroom. This way, youll minimize direct exposure to animal allergens while youre napping.
Make sure you thoroughly wash your hands with handwash and clean water immediately after handling any pets. If you havent yet decided on which pets to keep, consider opting for breeds that are hairless. Choosing a pet that wont worsen your allergies headaches is a health decision youll never regret.
Pollen And Allergy Relief
Need some allergy relief? If you have allergies, you know that you can run, but you can’t hide from seasonal pollen.
With the first deep breath of spring, more than 50 million Americans begin their nearly year-round symptoms of sneezing, wheezing, coughing, snorting, and itching. And millions of allergy sufferers seek allergy relief in prescription medications that cost $6 billion dollars per year worldwide.
Let’s be honest. If the miserable symptoms of pollen allergies don’t push you over the edge, some allergy relief medicines can. Sure, some older allergy relief medicines ease your symptoms, but they can also leave you feeling sluggish, sleepy, and unable to concentrate at work or school.
So how can something as miniscule as pollen make you feel absolutely awful? And where do you turn for effective allergy relief when you’re plagued by weeks of impenetrable pollen?
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How To Stop Constant Coughing From Allergies
Indoor or outdoor, seasonal or year-round, all types of allergies can potentially cause constant coughing. Along with a runny nose, sneezing and watery and itchy eyes, allergic cough can be disruptive and annoying. Coughing associated with allergies is often caused by postnasal drip, when mucus from your nose runs down the back of the throat. Allergic asthma may also cause persistent coughing 2. With this type of asthma, symptoms are triggered by exposure to allergens, such as pollen, dust mites and mold spores.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Be Honest: Do You Have A Plan B For Your Pet
Last but not least, is for you to think if you need a pet. You may be the biggest animal lover in the world, but if your allergy is so severe that there is a chance that you might have to re-home your pet, you should think about your priorities and responsibility toward your pet. Moreover, experts would say that the best way to avoid pet allergies is to remove the pets from your environment.
If you have severe allergies, as mentioned earlier, you should think twice about having a pet. Besides, if you already have a pet, you should think about the real possibility of removing the pet or the pets from your home. But, pets are like family and its not that easy to let them go. After all, they will suffer and there is no guarantee that they will have someone to take care of them after you. Moreover, the chances are that they will suffer in an animal shelter for a long time if not forever.
Pets give us so much, and we should provide the same. So, unless you can provide for your pet a peaceful and calming home for years filled with love and great pet owner practice you should think twice about having a pet. If your allergies are extremely severed you should think even harder if you should have a pet.
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Easy Ways To Beat Seasonal Allergies When The Pollen Count Spikes
If your seasonal allergies are making you miserable this spring, you’re not alone. More than 50 million Americans experience allergies each year. The good news is there are measures you can take to minimize the impact of seasonal allergies.
Seasonal allergies are usually caused by three main types of pollen: trees, grass, and weeds. They’re called “seasonal allergies” because each type of pollen has a season where they’re most potent. Here’s a general timeline of common pollen seasons:
- Some outdoor molds also peak in the fall months
When you’re monitoring pollen counts for your specific allergy, here are 10 ways to cope:
Pollen counts tend to rise on dry, warm, and windy days, so if it’s breezy outside, try to stay indoors.
Pollen counts are highest in the morning and again at night, so if you need to go outside, try to do it when counts are low.
When it comes to seasonal allergies, it’s important to know exactly what you’re allergic to so you can take appropriate action.
“I have patients who come in saying they’re allergic to pets, then we perform a skin test and it turns out they’re actually allergic to oak trees or another pollen the pet is bringing inside on their fur,” says Erin Willits, MD, an allergist and immunologist at Intermountain Alta View Hospital.
Effective Treatments Are Available
Seek advice from your pharmacist or doctor about medications that will relieve your symptoms. Although medications do not cure allergies, they are much more effective with few side effects. It is important to use them correctly, and to avoid medications that can cause problems such as frequent decongestant nose sprays or tablets.
Antihistamine tablets or syrups help to reduce symptoms , but they are not as effective in controlling severe nasal blockage and dribble. The advantage of antihistamines is their flexibility; you can take them when you have symptoms, and avoid them when you are well. Antihistamine eye drops can also be helpful in controlling watery eyes due to allergies.
Intranasal corticosteroid nasal sprays have a potent action on inflammation when used regularly . These need to be used regularly and with careful attention to the way in which they are used. Different brands of INCS vary in strength and effectiveness, so it is important to read the labels and check details with your pharmacist or doctor.
Combination medications containing an antihistamine and intranasal corticosteroid nasal spray are available and offer the combined advantages of both medications.
unblock and dry the nose, but should not be used for more than a few days as they can cause long term problems in the nose
Natural products such as salt water nasal sprays or douches can be effective in relieving symptoms.
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See Your Allergist For More Allergy Relief
Lastly, if you are plagued by pollen allergies year round, your doctor may recommend allergy testing and allergy shots . To get allergy relief, your doctor may also prescribe an inhaled steroid nasal spray, a non-sedating antihistamine, a decongestant, or other allergy medications.
It’s important to stay on your allergy medications daily to get full allergy relief and to prevent further problems. Allergy medicines are especially necessary during spring pollen season when you risk being in allergy overload from all the offending substances.
If you feel that your allergy medicines are not giving you enough relief, talk to your doctor or allergist. Many of the newer inhaled allergy medicines can help stop inflammation and mucus production without side effects, allowing you to regain control of your active life.
Flush Irritants Away With Saline Drops Or Artificial Tears
Normal saline drops or artificial tears can be used to flush away irritants that can cause inflammation. While there are many DIYs to make saline drops at home, its critical that you do this in a sterile environment and ensure all utensils and ingredients are uncontaminated. You could also use simple store-bought ones instead. Also, clean your eyelids and the area around your eyes with a wet washcloth to remove any allergens if youve been outside.3
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Ragweed Allergy Triggers Including The One Drink To Always Avoid
Almost one;third of people living with a ragweed allergy also;experience an allergic response to certain other foods, including cucumbers, melons, zucchini, sunflower seeds,;bananas;and/or chamomile tea.; Even echinacea can trigger a reaction.
Thats because the proteins found in some types of produce are very similar to the proteins found in certain types of pollen. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, these proteins can confuse the immune system and cause an allergic reaction or make existing symptoms worse, which is referred to as cross-reactivity. In the case of pollen and foods, the result of cross-reactivity is called oral allergy syndrome.
That may seem surprising, especially since these things usually fall under the;health food;category. Lets take a closer look at at herbal tea, in particular. Do you ever swap coffee with tea or pour a cup to unwind after a long day? Chamomile tea is a popular option, as its full of antioxidants, reduces inflammation and improves digestion.
But for people suffering from ragweed allergies, chamomile tea can be giving you something extra;;a slew of;symptoms, including sneezing, runny nose, headaches and irritated eyes. Chamomile is good for a lot of things, but if youre living;with a ragweed allergy,;you should probably;avoid this drink.
And get this: If you dont have allergy symptoms already, chamomile tea can actually ;set them off. And if you are suffering, the tea can worsen symptoms.
What Is A Pollen Allergy
Pollen is one of the most common triggers of seasonal allergies. Many people know pollen allergy as hay fever. Experts usually refer to pollen allergy as seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Each spring, summer and fall, plants release tiny pollen grains to fertilize other plants of the same species. Most of the pollens that cause allergic reactions come from trees, weeds and grasses. These plants make small, light and dry pollen grains that travel by the wind.
Grasses are the most common cause of allergy. Ragweed is a main cause of weed allergies. Other common sources of weed pollen include sagebrush, pigweed, lambs quarters and tumbleweed. Certain species of trees, including birch, cedar and oak, also produce highly allergenic pollen.
Plants fertilized by insects, like roses and some flowering trees, like cherry and pear trees, usually do not cause allergic rhinitis.
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Risks And Side Effects
While most of the supplements and tips described above can provide;natural allergy relief safely, there are some precautions to keep in mind.
When allergies are mild or moderate, they are usually not very threatening and go away with time. However, severe allergic reactions can be dangerous and require medical attention.
Anaphylaxis is the term for;a;severe allergic reaction, which can happen due to contact with;food allergens, drugs/medications or;insect stings. Symptoms usually affect the lungs, blood vessels or heart and can include:
- trouble breathing
- rash
- vomiting
If you or your child experience these symptoms, head to your doctor or the emergency room right away to prevent complications.
What can you do for severe allergies? Your doctor may need to prescribe allergy shots or prescription asthma medications, such as bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids.
Discuss these options with your health care provider, and consider trying the natural allergy relief remedies described above in addition to using medications.
Triggers That Can Cause Allergy Symptoms
In the spring and fall, when airborne allergens are more common, consuming certain fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds can cause the body to mistake a protein in the food for pollen, which can cause or escalate spring and fall allergies.
Symptoms of this mistake made by the immune system can include: swelling in the lips or throat, watery eyes, itchy throat or mouth, and tingling in the back of the mouth.
Depending on what allergy you have, avoiding certain fresh fruits and veggies might be the best way to make sure you arent causing yourself spring or fall allergies based on the foods you eat. Generally, you might avoid an oral allergic reaction if you stop eating these potential trigger foods: apples, almonds, celery, strawberries, and cherries.
There are still other potential triggers for different kinds of fall or spring allergies. For instance, if you are allergic to grass pollens, you should avoid oranges, tomatoes, melons, and figs. If youre allergy is to weed pollens, then try avoiding bananas, zucchinis and cucumbers, melons, artichokes, and echinacea, chamomile, and hibiscus teas.
During the fall and spring especially, boosting your immunity will go a long way in helping mitigate allergy symptoms. Stay hydrated, get plenty of sleep, and exercise daily. In addition, try to minimize your consumption of artificial food coloring, sweeteners, and other additives. Pesticides in food can be common triggers of allergic reactions.
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