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When you have bad allergies, you can feel like there is no way around them, and allergies aren’t just a problem for a few weeks in the spring. Fall can also bring pollen and sniffle inducing weeds. But sometimes a few small changes to your routine can provide symptom relief without any medication.
“I think a lot of people feel that it can be very difficult to change their lifestyle, so I like to approach them gradually with the patients – no detox or cleanse is necessary,” says Kara Wada, MD, allergist / immunologist at Ohio State University. Wexner Medical Center.
Before trying for allergy relief, however, it’s important to get tested. If you don’t know what you’re really allergic to, there’s really no way to guarantee that something will give you relief. “With allergies, your body overreacts to something that should be harmless, so knowing your trigger is very important,” says Lakiea Wright, MD, MPH, certified allergist and associate physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Different types of skin and blood tests are available, depending on your symptoms and medical history. “Allergy testing helps you recognize your triggers and find out which specific techniques may be most useful and worthy of your time, energy and money,” adds Dr. Wada.
Home remedies for allergies that work
Here’s what to do once you’re armed with the information:
Avoid pollens
It’s impossible to control the weather (and you can’t stay indoors forever!), So dealing with a pollen allergy can be especially difficult. Dr Wright suggests limiting your outdoor activities during times of the day when pollen counts tend to be high (usually around dawn and dusk) and using a smartphone app to track levels. On top of that, a face mask might help. In fact, 30% of people in a recent study said their seasonal allergies improved when wearing a surgical mask outside, and that number improved to 40% when wearing an N95 mask. When you get inside, Dr. Wright recommends taking a shower and changing clothes to remove any pollen that might stick to you and keeping the windows closed so that pollen does not get inside.
Try acupuncture
“The literature suggests, based on a small number of studies, that acupuncture may have a modest benefit for some patients with symptoms of allergic rhinitis or hay fever,” says Dr. Wright. “There must be other bigger studies, but the idea is that acupuncture can help increase blood flow and if you suffer from nasal congestion from your allergen exposures then promoting blood flow in this area could help improve your symptoms. ” Essentially, it’s a practice that can’t hurt and has the potential to help, so it’s worth it if you’re struggling.
Rinse the nasal passages
“Saline sinus rinses can increase mucosal clearance by about 30%, which can be very helpful in flushing out allergens,” says Dr. Wada. A neti pot can be a great way to get the job done, and rinsing can also help reduce inflammation and swelling. “I fully support nasal irrigation, but one caveat is that if you are using drugs like nasal steroids, you need to make sure you rinse off before putting the drug on because you don’t want to flush the drug,” notes the Dr. Wright.
Cool your eyes
Similar to nasal irrigation, artificial tears can help remove allergens from itchy, itchy eyes, but Dr. Wright recommends going one step further and keeping the bottle in your refrigerator. “That way it’s kinda cool when you put it in your eyes, which helps calm the allergic cells that go off,” she explains. If you’d rather not use eye drops, she says a cold compress can also help.
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Eat healthy
If you haven’t already, it might be time to switch to an anti-inflammatory, plant-based eating style. That’s because research shows that your immune system needs a variety of micronutrients to function at its best, and things like excess sugar and processed foods can increase inflammation and throw things off balance. “Eating a balanced diet and eating the whole rainbow of foods, we know, is good for your overall immune system,” says Dr. Wright. “We just don’t have specific allergy-specific evidence. ”
Make adjustments at home
If indoor allergies are getting you down, a few adjustments to your home environment can make a huge difference. For starters, Dr. Wright recommends placing HEPA filters throughout the house. “They help filter certain allergens like dust mites and animal dander from the air,” she says. On a related note, dehumidifiers can help remove moisture from the air in damp areas like basements and prevent the growth of allergens like mold. You will probably also need to do a little extra cleaning. “If you have rugs or rugs, you want to vacuum every week,” advises Dr. Wright. “You also want to wash your bedding weekly in hot water and dry it on a high heat, as that will kill the mites. Another thing my patients don’t realize is that the mattress can be a haven for these mites, so you really want to change that mattress every seven years. She says covering your mattress and pillows with anti-allergenic covers can also help. Finally, if you are allergic to your pet, Dr. Wright recommends giving them a bath every week to reduce their dander.
Drink water
Without enough water, the human body finds it difficult to function, and some animal studies suggest that dehydration can lead to an increase in histamines in the body, of which there is already an excess during an allergic reaction. “Staying hydrated is generally good for your health, but when it comes to allergies, if you take antihistamines, those can also make you dry out,” says Dr. Wright. “So you absolutely want to stay on top of your water intake and make sure you stay hydrated. “
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To manage stress
For some people, yoga is their go-to stress reliever. For others, it is reading, doing puzzles, or talking to a therapist. Find out what works for you and, as difficult as it can be with everything that is going on, do your best to make time for it. Studies show that stress can exacerbate allergic reactions, so the more you can minimize what’s going on in your body, the better off you are.
Natural solutions that not job
Not all home remedies you hear about are home runs. These often touted natural solutions lack the research to back up their use.
- Darling: “Local honey can be delicious but does not contain enough of the right types of pollen to have an effect close to that of immunotherapy,” says Dr Wada.
- Essential oils: “There is no evidence to suggest that essential oils can be beneficial in improving your allergies,” says Dr. Wright. In fact, she says strong smells can actually worsen allergy symptoms in people with hyperreactive nasal passages.
- Supplements: “I don’t routinely recommend herbal or homeopathic supplements for treating allergies,” says Dr. Wada. “The data does not support its use and since it is not regulated, it is impossible to know if what is written on the bottle is really what is in the bottle.”
When to see an allergist
If home remedies don’t seem to relieve your allergy symptoms, there’s no reason to continue to suffer. Make an appointment with an allergist to discuss medical solutions. “I think it’s really helpful to find an allergist that you can partner with in your care and let them know your goals of care,” says Dr. Wada. “Education and information can be incredibly stimulating and meeting with an allergy expert will help you understand all of the options available to treat your symptoms. For example, immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots, drops or tablets containing regulated doses of specific allergens could provide lasting relief. “Over time, the body learns to ignore these triggers rather than fight them,” says Dr. Wada.
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