Furnace Filter. Get a good furnace filter to catch particles in your air causing allergies such as dust, pollen and mold. They are an inexpensive way to help clean your air. Filters have a MERV rating (which indicate how effective a filter is at catching allergens: FYI- 12 is the best) Make sure you change it every three months.
A neti pot. This baby works well if you have a constantly clogged or runny nose. They are great for helping with sinus infection relief. Just pour a warm saline solution of water and salt in the pot. Then pour the mixture into one nostril and let it drain out the other nostril. I know it sounds gross, but it will help remove pollen, dust or allergens from your nose. Use it twice daily until your symptoms lessen.
Natural histamine blockers. These contain certain herbs and antioxidants that lower the production of histamines. Researchers say that 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C daily can lower histamine levels by up to 40%. Seasonal Freedom tablets are said to reduce histamines by 70%.
Your oral antihistamine. For the most part help with immediate relief, if you have mild to moderate symptoms. After awhile, these weren’t helping me. So I would combine it with a nasal corticosteroid. It was hard getting used to spraying something up my nose, but it was worth it so it wasn’t constantly running.
Last but not least is immunotherapy. I would only recommend this to people who are greatly affected by their allergies, or if you have asthma, which complicates it. It’s expensive (insurance will pay for some) and its time consuming in the beginning. The shots contain small doses of the allergens you are affected by, so you build an immunity to them. You start taking small doses two times a week for a month, then they up your dose to once a week for awhile and eventualy, it’s monthly. Immunotherapy is 85% effective, but you can have severe allergic reactions.
~ Jessica
Mariel
@orsoshesays
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Jess,
Caden has allergies…well, just the past couple years started getting them. Do you suggest any of those for kids?
I would recommend any of these for kids- there are a ton of kids who get the shots where I go-obviously you would want to check with your dr first, here is a great website for kids and allergies. http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/treatmentguides/allergy.html
Jessica, thanks for the recommendations. I suffer from allergies, but I only use an oral allergy medication, and sometimes it’s not always enough.
I really have to invest in a neti pot. I’ve heard great things about them, and I’ve struggled with sinus problems in the past.
I love the neti pot, I can’t go anywhere without it. lol. I did the immunotherapy but wasn’t able to finish it since it is so costly. And they had me coming in 3x’s a week for it but I would totally recommend if your insurance covers it. Mine did, until we had to switch insurance’s. I even had a sinus surgery because I got so many sinus infections that were caused from allergies. People that don’t get allergies really don’t know or understand how bad it can be.
Great tips! We all need help since pollen levels are at an all-time high this year. My allergies got worse in my early twenties. It got to the point that I now take prescription allergy meds.
My neti pot is my friend – especially during allergy season and those pesky respiratory infections! Nasonex is an amazing bonus!
I started allergy shots once a week over three months ago. They already seem to be helping me some, even though I haven’t been getting them long enough to experience the full effect.
Great idea on the furnace filters! We rent, so our landlord takes care of the filters. I should tell him that we’ll take care of them so we can use a more effective filter.
For people whose allergies are often worse at night like mine, I’ve heard an allergy mattress cover can make a big difference. I haven’t taken the plunge yet, but probably soon will!