Home Remedies for Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

This is the time of the year that many of us walk around feeling as though we are in a purple haze. Hence, a good reason to share knowledge of home remedies for seasonal allergy symptoms that has worked for me as well as others. You may be one of the people that will only have to deal with the symptoms I discussed in the hub titled Home Remedies for Seasonal Allergies. You develop the symptoms of a stuffy nose, which reverses from being stopped up and then starts dripping, itchy and or watery eyes, and lungs burns or produces a wheezing sound, and or a scratchy throat. Or you may have the misfortune of getting sinusitis or a more serious infection that sends you running to the doctor office for assistance in getting well.

Since numerous allergens are inhaled a certain amount of exposure to whatever bothers you is unavoidable. Some people prefer to take allergy shots as a means of avoiding the unpleasant sometimes painful symptoms that comes with seasonal allergies. Today many of the prescription drugs like Claritin, Zyrtec, and other over-the-counter antihistamines, can now be purchased from your local drugstore without a prescription. Some people have to experiment to find out which product works best to stop one’s post nasal drip, and or red and itchy eyes. Such allergy products alone maybe enough to sustain your allergic reactions; however, for those suffering from severe allergy symptoms more assistance will be required.

The video below with Ellen depicts the quiet desperation the season allergies can generate in an individual.  You begin to try things that friends and co-workers tell you about.  Ellen also shows how that it is important to follow instructions; more is not always necessary better for you...

New studies revealed that allergic rhinitis affects 60 million individuals in America annually, and involves 12 million doctors’ visits resulting in a yearly treatment cost of $11.2 billion.

Allergy symptoms are categorized as mild, moderate, and severe. The ultimate goal of this hub would be to assist you in keeping your symptoms ranging from mild to moderate whenever possible. In order to do that you will have make some of the changes suggested in the first hub Home Remedies for Seasonal Allergies and use the home remedy steps that I will be giving you here as well. One without the other will lessen the possibility of you being successful.

Now let’s take a look at what happens within each category of allergy symptoms that are described on the WebMd allergy guide website:

• Mild allergy symptoms – Include rash, itch or watery eyes, and or congestion. These symptoms tend to stay in a localized region usually in an around the area of where the allergen has entered the body. For example a rash would occur on hands if you touched something you were allergic to verses a food allergy might cause the throat to itch.
• Moderate allergy symptoms – Itchiness and or difficulty in breathing are the symptoms of this category and these allergic reactions can include some or all of the mild allergy signs as well as one or both of the moderate symptoms. In addition these symptoms may spread to other parts of the body.

• Severe Allergy Symptoms or (Anaphylaxis) – Anaphylaxis is serious. It when the body sets off a “warning, warning, intruder alert signal.” The body’s response to the allergen is sudden and affects the entire body. This is the one that can be potentially life threatening if not taken care of correctly and immediately. The allergic symptoms may begin with a sudden swelling and or itching of the face and or eyes and within minutes symptoms can worsen instead of improving.
  
• The overall severe allergy symptoms include: varying degrees of swellings that can make swallowing and or breathing difficult. There may be cramps, abdominal pain involved, vomiting, diarrhea, and or mental confusion or dizziness.

Several of my family members have food allergies that cause them to move rapidly into the severe allergy stage. This can be a dangerous place to be in because the allergic response can be marked by swelling hives that ultimately can become severe enough not only to cause difficulty in breathing, lowered blood pressure, and or dilated blood vessels. An individual can go into anaphylactic shock and if not treated immediately, it can be fatal.

AGAIN: The steps or suggestions in this hub will not provide assistance if you are having a severe allergy attack. If you have never had a severe allergy attack before, but are experiencing some or all of the severe symptoms described; call your doctor and or an ambulance to assist you.

As I have stated previously, I prefer to seek an alternative medicine option prior to using prescription drugs whenever possible. So here are some of the home remedies that I use myself for allergy relief as well as a few that was discovered during my research:

Neti Pot - The Neti pot being described and shown in the videos; for me has become a life saver. The Himalayan Institute has produced the original Neti Pot since 1972, and it naturally cleanses, refreshes, and protects the nasal passages, one of our body's first lines of defense against illness.

This will be my 3^rd year of using this instrument to assist in overcoming mild and moderate allergy symptoms. Worth its weight in gold, once you get pass the thought of pouring water up your nose! For more instructions and a view from someone other than the producers of the product be sure to read the article, How to Use a Neti Pot for Sinus Relief.

Multi-Vitamins – Dr. Oz and others suggest that you should make taking multi-vitamins a part of your daily regimen for numerous reasons. Well, add assisting to help provide nutrients that can ease the sneeze to the list. Allergy symptoms occur when your body’s immune system overreacts to allergens in your environment. Vitamin C stops histamine, magnesium may ease breathing, and other nutrients help to protect mucous membranes, according to the Mother Nature online library.

Probiotics - Are live microorganisms (good bacteria and or yeasts) that have been found to improve the immune system. When administered in adequate amounts it confers a health benefit to anyone that takes them on a routine bases. I prefer to drink a daily dose of DanActive during the allergy season. It is quick and easy and helps to keep you feeling better even on the bad days of allergic attacks.

European herb butterbur (Petasites hybridus) - There’s a lot of buzz about this product now a days. The British Medical Journal, in 2002 published results of a study from a group of Swiss researchers that revealed just one tablet of butterbur four times daily was as effective as a popular antihistamine drug in controlling symptoms of hay fever. The greatest benefit was there was no traditional symptom of drowsiness that sometimes occurs with antihistamines. Butterbur leaves and root extracts are used to treat allergies, as well as bronchial asthma, headache, and pain.

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) - This nettle is one of nature’s best nutraceuticals (combination of nutrition and pharmaceutical) containing vitamins A, C, D, and B complex, beta-carotene, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and protein. The stinging comes from the presence of histamine on the hairs of the leaves and stems. An extract from the root of the nettle contains natural antihistamines and anti-inflammatory (including quercetin), that can open up constricted bronchial and nasal passages, helping to ease hay fever, and nose and or sinus type allergies symptoms. It acts as an astringent to mucous membranes. Use for chronic inflammations and excessive mucous discharge.

I sincerely hope that you found the information provided on home remedies for seasonal allergy symptoms useful. My final suggestion would be that if you are an allergy sufferer that you might like to start taking preventive measures prior to an allergic attack. Watching your diet, getting enough sleep, and proper exercise along with the suggestions in this hub should assist you in being able to perhaps enjoy a little more of the spring time festivities without always feeling as though you are in a purple haze. Be sure to check out my next hub as well that will take a look at Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for Seasonal Allergy Relief. And remember comments are always welcomed!

Disclaimer: This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Before engaging in any complementary medical technique, including the use of natural or herbal remedies, you should do your own research, and then consult your present physician. If your doctor does not believe in alternative medicines and you would like to give them a try then find a reputable doctor familiar with alternative medicines that can assist you in deciding what treatments might meet your specific needs.