If you’re one of the millions of Americans with allergies, it can be a challenge to find relief. While there are many over-the-counter medications for allergies, they don’t always help achieve the desired level of relief from symptoms. Managing allergies requires a multi-faceted approach, including lifestyle changes and at-home remedies that work together to bring you relief.
If you’re searching for ideas to achieve allergy relief, try these five tips.
1. Saline Nasal Spray or Irrigation
This is a simple but effective way to relieve congestion and remove irritants from the nose. All you need is a saline solution (you can buy this at any drugstore) and a neti pot or nasal irrigator (also available at drugstores). Just follow the instructions on the packaging and rinse away your allergy symptoms, particularly nasal congestion.
2. Steam Inhalation
This is another great way to clear out your sinuses and get rid of congestion. All you need is some hot water (be careful not to burn yourself!) and either a bowl or a large, wide-mouth mug. Place your head over the bowl or mug, drape a towel over both your head and the container to prevent the steam from escaping, and inhale deeply for several minutes. Doing this once or twice daily should help provide some relief from allergies.
3. Herbal Teas
Many different herbs can help ease allergy symptoms like congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and itching. Some good ones to try include chamomile, ginger root, lavender, mint leaf, and yarrow flower. Simply brew up a cup of tea using any of these herbs (or a combination), let it steep for 5-10 minutes, then drink up!
You can also add honey to sweeten the tea, if desired. Honey contains vitamin C – a natural antihistamine, which can also help with improving allergy symptoms.
4. Avoid Your Triggers
One of the best ways to deal with allergies is to prevent flare-ups. Doing this requires understanding and avoiding your triggers. Talk to your doctor about your allergy symptoms and get a diagnosis regarding the specific type of allergies you have. Once you know this, you should actively avoid the triggers to reduce allergy flare-ups, thus keeping symptoms at bay.
5. Take Probiotics and Eat Healthily
Research has shown that probiotics may help reduce allergic reactions by strengthening the immune system response. Incorporate yogurts that contain live active cultures into your diet, as well as supplements made specifically with probiotics. Talk to your allergist for specific recommendations. Similarly, eating a nutritious diet will improve the systems in your body, your health, and your body’s response to illnesses.
Allergy Relief Treatment in Georgetown, TX
Dr. Scott Franklin at Georgetown ENT is a board-certified ear, nose, and throat doctor with advanced training in allergies. If you need help managing your allergies, there’s no better doctor for you.
Dr. Franklin regularly treats patients with allergies and helps them achieve greater relief from their symptoms. A trained and experienced allergy doctor can do great things for you when it comes to allergy relief and treatment.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Franklin, call our office today at (512) 869-0604, or use our convenient online request form.
