Each year, over 50 million Americans are affected by allergies.
Hay fever is the most common type of allergy that afflicts people. It alone accounts for over 19.2 million adults reporting symptoms of allergies in 2018.
Allergies are the immune system’s hypersensitive response to foreign substances invading your body. These foreign substances are things like dust, pollen, and pet dander. A substance that triggers allergies is called an allergen.
There are plenty of prescription and over-the-counter medicines you can buy to help prevent an allergic reaction. What if you don’t want to take a drug though? There are more natural remedies you can turn to.
In this article, we’ll discuss the different natural remedies for allergies you can try to relieve your symptoms.
10 Natural Remedies for Allergies
Allergies can hit fast and leave you feeling like you have a cold. Symptoms of allergies like hay fever include:
- runny nose
- congestion
- sneezing
- coughing
- postnasal drip
- watery eyes
- itching of the nose, eyes, or roof of the mouth
- fatigue
- pressure in the face
These symptoms can make you miserable enough that you feel desperate for treatment. Unfortunately, many over-the-counter and prescription allergy medications make you sleepy. This fatigue is caused by antihistamines in allergy medicine.
When you have a job or need to run errands, excessive fatigue from medication isn’t something you want to deal with it. If you would like to avoid taking any medication for your allergies, here are 10 natural remedies to try:
1. Nasal Cleanse
Allergens like pollen cling to the mucous membranes inside your nose. By using a saline nasal spray, you flush out any irritants.
2. Humidifier
There is no single best humidifier for allergies. There are several different types out there and the one you’ll want will depend upon your unique needs.
3. Purifier
An air purifier with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter will reduce allergens in your home.
The filter traps airborne irritants like dust and pet dander. Some even outright destroy the allergens.
4. Essential Oils
Using essential oils can help reduce allergy symptoms. Certain kinds can be added into your bath, drink, or to an oil diffuser.
In a study conducted in 1998, peppermint oil was found to have anti-inflammatory effects that help with bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. Peppermint oil works best when diffused into the air.
Frankincense is another essential oil believed to help fight hay fever. If you dilute it, it can be dabbed behind your ears. Putting frankincense into an oil diffuser also works.
5. Organics
There are several different types of herbal and organic remedies you can explore to help with your allergies
Butterbur comes from a European shrub and works well for relieving itchy eyes. The herb is taken as an oral antihistamine.
Quercetin is a nutrient found in multiple types of food. These include onions, apples, broccoli, cauliflower, and citrus fruits. It helps prevent the body’s release of histamines and assists in controlling allergy symptoms.
6. Acupuncture
Research has shown that acupuncture helps with seasonal and perennial hay fever. Acupuncture treats underlying imbalances in the body, along with symptoms of allergies.
7. Herbal Teas
Drinking an herbal tea made with stinging nettles, gingko, milk thistle, yarrow, and red clover can help with allergies. These herbs all possess anti-inflammatory effects which will help to relieve symptoms.
8. Bathe
Things like pollen cling to your hair, skin, and clothing. Each time you come into your home, you bring a bit of the outside world in with you.
After coming in from outdoors, change your clothes and shower. This will rinse away all allergens. Also, be sure to wash your clothes to clean away any irritants.
9. Wear a Mask
If you’re about to go outside to mow the grass or even before you vacuum your living room floor, put on a dust mask. These masks help to filter out particles from the air you breathe.
10. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar helps to boost your immune system and ease allergy symptoms. Mix one to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into a glass of water and lemon juice. Take this three times a day to ease your allergy symptoms.
Signs You Should See a Doctor
If your allergic reaction is worsening, you should seek out a physician at once. Sometimes an allergic reaction can lead to anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal.
Anaphylaxis is when the immune system is triggered by an allergen and it floods the body with chemicals. Symptoms of anaphylactic shock include blood pressure dropping and airways closing.
Other dangerous allergic symptoms that may warrant a physician are:
- chest pains
- dizziness
- fainting
- rash
- vomiting
It’s also worth noting that certain essential oils can trigger an allergic reaction. Before you put any essential oil into your drink or on your skin, be sure to test it first.
You can test out an essential oil by diluting it in a carrier oil and then dabbing a small quantity on your forearm. You must then wait for 24 hours to see if your skin has a reaction.
If there’s no reaction after 24 hours, you’re safe to use that specific essential oil. Be sure to test each different type of essential oil before you use it. Just because you’re okay with one won’t mean you’ll be fine with the other.
Breathe Easy
Follow these natural remedies for allergies and you should be on your way to breathing easier.
Allergies afflict a vast portion of the world population, but there are more treatments available than ever to help with easing symptoms. It’s important to remember that prevention will help reduce your allergic reactions to a certain extent. Keeping a clean home by dusting and vacuuming often will help remove much of the dust and pet dander that causes allergies.
We hope you found this article helpful in finding some home remedies for allergies. If one on this list doesn’t work, move on to the next until you find one that does.
Before you go, please take a moment to browse our site and see what other great reads you can find.
