Many allergy medications come with a list of side effects that are as long as, or longer, than the allergy symptoms themselves. They can include drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, restlessness and irritability, and more, and can significantly interfere with your daily activities.
Over the counter, medicated nasal sprays may provide temporary relief, but can cause “rebound congestion,” causing the sinuses and nasal passages to become even more inflamed and irritated when their effects wear off. These sprays are also only approved for short-term use and can become addictive very quickly.
Fortunately, there are a number of ways to prevent and combat allergy symptoms naturally, including:
Avoidance
The first, most important way that you can deal with allergies is by avoiding your triggers altogether, and that avoidance starts at home. For most allergy sufferers, simple methods of allergy-proofing homes can be the most effective, and least invasive method of dealing with allergies. The best part – they have no side effects.
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you should be sure to regularly (and thoroughly) clean your house to get rid of mold, dust, and other irritants that may trigger allergy symptoms. Other measures, including keeping your home well air-conditioned, maintaining low humidity with dehumidifiers, and maintaining good ventilation in the home can also help drastically reduce allergy symptoms.
Be sure to regularly changing air filters, washing linens regularly, and consider mattress and pillow covers if you find that your allergies are triggered by mites.
Immunotherapy
According to Prevention Magazine, immunotherapy is a treatment method where a doctor gives you increasing doses of an allergen over time to desensitize your immune system. This therapy is typically performed by injection in the United States, although you can also opt for sublingual immunotherapy. With this therapy, tablets or allergen extract drops are placed under the tongue. While the sublingual therapy isn’t as fast-acting as injections and may be less effective overall, studies have shown that there are fewer risks for developing serious side effects, like anaphylaxis. This procedure, however, is a long-term solution, rather than a quick allergy reducer. Treatments may take three to five years to complete.
Saline Flushing
Allergies are triggered when the body reacts to certain allergens and triggers an immune defense. A neti pot offers a simple, mild solution to the problem, allowing sufferers to quickly remove the unwanted allergens from the sinuses and nasal cavities. This helps relieve the allergic reaction. To use a neti pot, you can use purchase a nasal saline rinse (or make one at home, although there are some risks associated with homemade saline solutions, especially when using tap water instead of sterile water). Use the neti pot to pour the solution into your top nostril while leaning over a sink, allowing it to drain out the bottom nostril, then repeating the process on the other side. Neti pots have gained popularity because they can clear congestion without causing nasal dryness and irritation or congestion when short-term effects wear off, like decongestants and medicated nasal sprays.
Steam Therapy/Frequent Showering
For those of us whose allergies are triggered by pollen and other environmental factors, this treatment may offer a simple and quick solution. Just as neti pots help eliminate allergens from the nasal passages, taking a quick, hot shower after spending time outdoors will help get allergens off of your skin and hair, as well as keeping them from getting on your furniture, floors, bed, and other indoor surfaces. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology advises that seasonal allergy sufferers should remove clothing and shoes immediately upon going indoors after gardening, pruning, or spending time around allergens.
Showering also has the added benefit of steam therapy, which is incredibly effective as a decongestant, and can help soothe irritated sinuses.
Eat Smart
Science has shown that some dietary changes and supplements can help ease your allergy symptoms. Probiotics have anti-inflammatory effects, and studies have shown that they may even be beneficial in preventing the development of allergies in babies when taken during pregnancy. Spicy foods containing mustard and horseradish can help stimulate the nasal cilia to break up congestion, while garlic acts as a natural decongestant. While studies have provided mixed results, some people find relief from seasonal allergies by eating raw, local honey, which works similarly to immunotherapy by exposing and desensitizing the body to local pollens, which may trigger an immune reaction. This can be especially helpful when relocating or spending time in a new area, which may have new pollens that may trigger allergic reactions.
Seek Medical Advice
As with all medical conditions, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss what treatment options are best for you. Allergies may be manageable with natural, home remedies, but you may be wise to schedule allergy testing to determine if there are lurking allergies that you haven’t discovered yet - especially ones that may leave you susceptible to potentially life-threatening complications. There are a range of tests that can be administered to determine just what allergies you have.
If you have a serious allergy, such as some food allergies, you may be advised to share this information with schools, employers, coworkers, and others who may be called on to take action if you have an anaphylaxis reaction. You may also be advised to carry with you an epinephrine autoinjector, called an EpiPen, or to keep one at your workplace or school, and familiarize yourself with the early symptoms of such a reaction so that you can take immediate, life-saving action if this complication occurs.