Home solutions for sensitivities incorporate a nasal water system and natural oils of lemon and peppermint. Reduce allergy symptoms by taking vitamins, exercising regularly, or trying acupuncture. These all are natural remedies to relieve allergies.
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A whopping 8 million Spaniards experience allergies each year, often as a result of grasses, according to the Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology.
Allergies can occur at any time, indoors or outdoors, causing symptoms ranging from mildly uncomfortable to life-threatening.
But you don’t need to suffer.
Here are 13 ways to treat and relieve allergies— from mold to pet dander—and you don’t even need a doctor’s visit.
Try a Nasal Irrigator
If someone is experiencing nasal allergy symptoms, such as a stuffy or itchy nose, nasal irrigation with a saline rinse or spray is an excellent first line of defense, says Omid Mehdizadeh, an otolaryngologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center.
You can start by getting saline (saltwater) spray from your pharmacy and spraying it into each nostril to loosen mucus and relieve congestion.
You can also try using a nasal irrigation device (rhino), commonly known as a Neti Pot.
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Whichever you use, the instructions for use are similar:
Over the sink, tilt your head to the left.
Place the device’s tip or spray bottle in the right nostril, as that is the nostril at the top.
Pour or spray the solution.
The arrangement will emerge from the other nostril.
Repeat on the other side.
“Water systems are better because the patient precisely eliminates every one of the aggravations from the nose. Generally speaking, that could be extremely useful,” says Mehdizadeh.
Get an Air Purifier
Investing in a high-quality air purifier can ease your indoor allergy. Mehdizadeh says that air purifiers, particularly HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) purifiers, do a great job trapping allergens in indoor air, reducing the likelihood of an allergic response.
Some common indoor allergens that the cleaner can help with are dust mites and pet dander.
Remove Mold with a Dehumidifier
If indoor mold allergy is your problem, Mehdizadeh says you need to reduce the humidity in your home since mold thrives and grows in damp areas. In this case, the specialist recommends using a dehumidifier.
Per his advice, always use a dehumidifier that is adjustable, so you can control how dry the room is. You don’t want the nostrils to get too dry, which can also cause discomfort.
According to the EPA, humidity should be between 30% and 60% to prevent mold growth so that you can adjust your settings accordingly. Mehdizadeh says you shouldn’t go below 30%, which can irritate your nose.
Try Essential Oils: Top Natural Remedy to Relieve Allergies
Mehdizadeh says that essential oils are powerful, so it’s important to consult your doctor before using them as an allergy remedy.
All things considered, a few normal rejuvenating ointments for sensitivities include:
Lemon – Lemon essential oil is a common citrus oil for allergies. It acts as an antihistamine, reducing inflammation and relieving congestion.
Peppermint – Since peppermint contains natural menthol, it can help with congestion and cough. A little 2013 investigation discovered that breathing in menthol alleviated hack better compared to a fake treatment. Menthol does this by smothering the hack reflex.
Eucalyptus – Eucalyptus oil is one of the natural remedies to relieve allergies and has anti-inflammatory properties, which help fight inflammation in the airways and subsequently relieve nasal and chest congestion.
One method for utilizing these rejuvenating balms is to place them in a diffuser.
Alternatively, you can use products like Vick’s VapoRub, which contains menthol and eucalyptus oil to relieve symptoms.
You can also find bath-dissolving preparations that contain these essential oils, so when your shower steams up, you’ll inhale the aromas.
Wear a Mask Outdoors During Peak Allergy Season
Face masks can help filter pollen and reduce allergy symptoms.
A small study from 2021 found that people using medical versions or FFP2 (similar to kn95) reduced their exposure to pollen and avoided allergy symptoms.
Another small study from 2021 also found that wearing masks helped allergy sufferers avoid symptoms in both their nose and eyes.
On days with many pollen in the air, you may want to wear one while you’re outside.
Keep Allergens out of your House
If you have seasonal allergies to plant pollen, it’s important to ensure those outside allergens don’t get into your home.
Mehdizadeh recommends in these cases to keep the windows closed if you are allergic to outside irritants.
Here are some more tips to protect your home from pollen :
Use a HEPA filter to keep the air circulating in your home free of allergens.
When you enter from outside, change your clothes and shower to ensure you don’t spread allergens.
Try to bathe your pets regularly to prevent them from spreading allergens throughout the house.
Make an Appointment with an Acupuncturist
Researchers aren’t sure why it works, but according to a 2015 meta-analysis, acupuncture was found to improve symptoms and quality of life for allergy sufferers.
Get a Good Dose of Vitamin C
Antioxidants like vitamin C can help your body fight inflammation and ease allergy symptoms. It is mostly used as a natural remedy to relieve allergies.
In a large 2013 study among children in Korea, those with a higher vitamin C intake had fewer allergy symptoms. A small 2020 study found that allergy sufferers who took daily vitamin C supplements improved their allergy symptoms.
Sources of vitamin C include:
Citrus fruits, such as oranges, but also strawberries, kiwi, or currants, among others
red and green peppers
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Tomatoes