If your allergies are worse than ever, you won’t imagine it. “Seasonal allergies have increased, in part because climate change makes the pollen season longer and tighter,” explains Abie H. Mendelsohn, Ph.D., of the Los Angeles Center for Ears, Nose, Throat and Allergy. “People who now have traditional symptoms of hay fever allergy [being affected by] There are more symptoms in a few weeks of the year than in previous decades. ”
However, you don’t have to endure silent allergies. If you are looking for ways to find allergic relief at home and antihistamines won’t cut it for you, try natural remedies and lifestyle changes. From using air purifiers to nasal saline and artificial tears, these are ways experts recommend that you soothe your allergies at home.
1. Use an air purifier
“Installing an air purifier or indoor air filter helps reduce allergens in indoor spaces,” said Bria Collins, an audiologist and associate director of audiology practice at Au.D, CCC-A, said.
Dr. Gene Brown of Charleston Ent Association LLC, who is chair of the American Academy of Otolaryngology and Neck Surgery, agreed, saying: “High-efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) purifiers can reduce such as Pollen, PET, PET, PET, PET, PET, PET, PET, PET, PET, PET,
He added that HEPA purifiers can be particularly beneficial in high flow areas around the home, such as the bedroom.
Dr. Pamela Georgeson from the Kenwood Allergy and Asthma Center also recommends that you add HEPA filters to the HVAC system to further reduce airborne allergens.
2. Avoid triggers
If allergies are disappointing you, it is important to figure out what is causing the allergies. Then, avoid those triggers. “Allness testing is critical to identifying individual allergic triggers,” Brown said. “Minimizing exposure to these allergens is a fundamental step in managing allergies.”
Brown lists the following strategies for avoiding allergens:
On days when pollen counts are high, Mendelssohn recommends “keep the windows closed (using air conditioning instead) to avoid bringing pollen indoors.”
For those who are allergic to pets, Georgeson specifically recommends keeping pets in the bedroom and bathing and retouching the pets regularly to reduce dander, which can lead to allergic symptoms. Mendelsohn added that for this reason, you should place your pet on upholstered furniture.
3. Control dust mites
Georgeson recommends placing the allergen cover on the pillow and mattress to reduce exposure to dust. You can also wash this bedding in hot water to kill dust mites. Brown added that the water should be at least 130°F or 54°C.
Brown also recommends regularly using a wet vacuum cleaner and carpet vacuum and carpet and frequently using a damp cloth.
4. Shower and change clothes at home
If you can’t avoid going out, especially in executive days, Melanie Carver, chief mission officer at the American Asthma and Allergy Foundation (AAFA), advises: “Take steps to reduce the amount of pollen that enters your body and your home.” She offers the following tips:
- Wear a head cover (such as a hat or scarf) to prevent pollen from entering the hair
- Wear a mask and sunglasses, especially if you have severe symptoms
- Remove shoes and wash hands when you get home
- If your pet is outside, wipe or bathe
- Put your pet in the bedroom
Brown also recommends showering, especially before going to bed, to prevent allergens from transferring to bedding.
5. Sublingual immunotherapy
Although traditional subcutaneous immunotherapy (allergic shooting) lasts for three to five years, regular visits are required. However, according to Brown, there are home alternatives.
“Sublingual immunotherapy (alleviation fluid placed under the tongue) and FDA-approved allergy tablets (including specific allergens) provide convenient, long-term relief, thus gaining the advantages of home management,” he explained. Consult your doctor to find the one that best suits you and your specific allergies.
6. Regular cleaning
Mendelsohn recommends cleaning your home regularly and using a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner to reduce indoor allergens such as dust, molds and pet dander. Brown said the same, adding: “Choose non-toxic, fragrant-free cleaning products to avoid triggering allergic symptoms.”
7. Consider dehumidifier
“Dust mites and mold thrives in humid environments,” Brown explained. “Keep indoor humidity levels below 50% significantly lower allergen levels. Use a humidity monitor (ready to use online) to track moisture levels, especially in bedrooms and basements.”
If you notice any moisture problems in your home, Mendelsohn recommends that you study what prevents mold growth.
8. Rinse with nasal saline
“Rinse with saline can naturally relieve nasal allergies,” Mendelssohn said. Using Neti Pot or squeezing bottles with sterile saline solution, you can gently wash pollen, dust and mucus from your nose and sinuses. ”
A daily saline rinse, especially after outdoor activities, can soothe sinuses and clear congestion. However, Mendelsohn warned: “Just make sure to use lukewarm distillation or previously boiled uncold water and keep the rinse unit clean to stay healthy.”
9. Garp your mouth with warm salt water
Dr. Tania Elliott, spokesman for the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, recommends engulfing with warm salt water because “coarse salt can help remove allergens and physically scratch the back of the throat.”
For additional relief, Elliott notes that you can boil water, add fresh ginger and drink water to reduce inflammation in your sinuses, nasal passages, and lungs. Placing fresh eucalyptus in the shower can also help open the sinuses.
10. Apply cool or warm compression to the ears
For allergies that cause itching or irritating the ear, Collins recommends applying cool or warm pressure to the ears to relieve it. “Inhaling steam can also help your ears, nose and throat soothe and replenish the mucous membrane,” she added.
Collins stresses that you should never insert any small stuff in your swab or ear tube to relieve itching. “This may cause further irritation to your ear canal, or if it is inserted too deeply, it may hurt your eardrums,” she explained.
For those with ear or hearing problems caused by allergies, Collins recommends that you consult a doctor – or especially an ear, nose and throat (ENT) physician – to rule out other potential causes. This may include middle ear infections (antibiotics you may need to prescribe), inner ear disease, and affected ear waves.
11. Eyes with artificial tears that affect allergies
In addition to applying cool compression itching relief, Steven T. Reed, president of the American Optometry Association (AOA), Steven T.
He particularly recommends taking eye drops regularly at the start of allergy season – rather than just starting when you notice symptoms. “This helps prevent histamine release and symptoms from exacerbating,” he explained, adding that if you can’t find relief at home, you may need a prescription alternative.
Rubbing your eyes is also a bad idea. It causes mast cells to break and release histamine, which can worsen your symptoms.
12. Wash oatmeal to make skin allergic
Mendelsohn notes that if your skin has an allergic reaction, such as a beehive or eczema patch, “a proven method is an oatmeal bath: add colloidal oatmeal (fine oatmeal) into warm water and soak for 10-15 minutes. This can reduce the skin and reduce redness.”
After bathing, Mendelsohn recommends using mild, perfume-free moisturizers or ointments (even regular coconut oil) to moisten the skin in order to lock moisture in the lock to repair the skin barrier. You should also make sure to use mild hypoallergenic soaps and laundry detergents to prevent chemicals or fragrances from worsening your skin allergies.
13. Maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle
Mendelsohn reminds us that getting proper sleep, maintaining nutrition, a balanced diet and reducing stress can all support your immune system, making allergic reactions less severe. Collins added that you should also make sure you drink plenty of water to keep it hydrated.
“Some people also try to take folk remedies, such as eating local honey or taking natural supplements such as butterbur or quercetin,” Mendelsohn noted. “These evidence is limited, so use them with caution and contact your doctor to make sure there is no interaction with other medications or other medical issues.”
When to see an allergic doctor
“If symptoms affect their ability to do what they like and find themselves modifying their schedules because of allergies; lack of workdays; symptoms are not getting better, they should see board-certified allergic patients.” Georgeson added that people with asthma or relapsed/chronic sinusitis (sinus infection) should see allergic patients.
Mendelsohn also offers the following as other signs of allergies you need to see a doctor:
- Severe or dangerous reactions: If you have symptoms of an allergic reaction, a life-threatening allergic reaction, consider it an emergency. Signs of an allergic reaction include difficulty breathing, wheezing, swelling of the throat or face, severe hives, vomiting or fainting. In these cases, use an adrenaline auto-injector immediately if available and call 911. Don’t try to deal with serious reactions at home; timely medical services can save lives.
- Suspected food allergies: If you suspect food can cause an allergic reaction – for example, if you develop beehives, swelling, or vomiting after eating – you should consult a medical professional. Even if the response is not serious, it is important to identify the trigger because future responses may be worse.
- Requires testing or advanced care: If you experience allergic symptoms frequently and are unsure of the trigger (or want a more permanent solution), consider seeing people with allergies. They can perform tests to pinpoint your specific allergen and discuss immunotherapy (allergic shooting or oral tablets) that can significantly reduce sensitivity over time.
For ears, Collins says you should see a doctor or ENT if your ears are painful, hearing loss (especially sudden), drainage of the ear or dizziness or symptoms that don’t respond to over-the-counter management.
Reed stresses that regular eye and vision checks are essential regardless of whether you suffer from allergies or not. “Many eye and vision problems have no obvious signs or symptoms, so you may not know there is a problem,” he explained, adding that you can use AOA’s doctor locator.
Bottom line
Allergies are getting worse, but there are some natural ways to soothe your body at home. Consider an air purifier, nose saline rinse, keep your pet in the bedroom, remove your clothes and shower, avoid allergic triggers. However, if the symptoms persist or worsen, consider seeing a doctor or a person with allergies. For severe allergic reactions, call 911.
