How to Get Rid of Allergies and Sinus – The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America states that 1 out of every 5 Americans may have some type of allergies. If you fall within this statistic, it is a good idea that you know natural ways to get rid of allergies.
A person’s immune system can respond abnormally to substances that are normally not dangerous. Such a person is said to be having an allergic reaction.
If you react to certain things with an allergic reaction, you won’t be feeling lonely.
As much as 30% of American adults are rocking this boat too. So don’t start thinking you are weird or maybe even an alien if you are allergic to something.
We need to cover some things before we discuss how to get rid of allergies.
It is important that you know what triggers your allergic reaction.
For that way, you will know what to avoid and prevent allergies in the first place.
Causes of Allergies
It is a good idea to know why and how its allergies happen.
Your body’s immune system has one vital job. That job is to protect the body from things that want to harm it.
Some of the main culprits are viruses and bacteria.
There are times when this defense mechanism is triggered when it shouldn’t have. That is when your body reacts to things that it normally shouldn’t.
There is one unique activity that goes on when an allergic reaction happens.
Your immune system sends antibodies to deliver messages to the cells in your body. The message is simple and direct: Take down that substance!
The cells that got the message will respond by releasing histamine which makes your blood vessels expand.
It will also affect other chemicals. This entire process is what triggers your allergic reaction.
Antibodies have a single mind and are only activated by a certain kind of allergen. This will explain why a person reacts to peanut butter and not mayonnaise.
There are different ways different people react to different allergens. Some people react with watery eyes and noses clogged up with sinuses.
Others react with inflamed skin, difficulty in breathing, stomach problems, etc.
Below are some common culprits (allergens) that can trigger an allergic reaction:
- Insect Bites
- Foods, especially milk, soy, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, etc.
- Plants and pollens
- Latex or other substances
- Medication such as penicillin
- Pet Dander
- Dust mite etc.
The severity of your allergic reaction is often due to your body. Also, how much of the allergens that got into your system can also affect the allergic reaction.
It is important not to take allergic reactions mildly.
It can vary from mild and merely annoying to actual life-threatening.
Seek medical help immediately you notice an allergic reaction.
Natural Remedies to Get Rid of Allergies and Sinus
1. Alkaline and anti-inflammatory Diet
Allergic reactions will often stem from an active immune system. You want to eat foods that support your immune system.
They will help to get rid of allergies more effectively.
Anti-inflammatory foods will do just that. That’s not all, these foods will also help you better manage and prevent some other health issues. Some of them include:
- Garlic
This is a natural antibiotic that can ward off infections and get rid of allergies.
Juicing it or eating it raw can help you not have any business with a doctor’s appointment again.
Taking raw garlic on a daily basis can help you fight off any type of allergic reaction. It can also boost your immune system.
- Vegetables
Leafy greens such as collard greens, arugula, kale, spinach to mention a few are a good source of enzymes, vitamins, antioxidants, etc.
These help you detoxify your body and reduce inflammation.
- Coconut Milk
This has been touted as the best alternative to cow’s milk. It is free of lactose, soy, nuts, and dairy.
The best part yet, it helps your body get rid of allergies.
2. Essential Oils for Allergies
Certain essential oils can be used as remedies for allergies and sinus.
A study shows that peppermint oil has anti-inflammatory effects that help to reduce allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma.
You can put peppermint oil in a diffuser so it can fill the air and you eventually breathe it in.
Frankincense oil can be used for the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis by putting it at the back of your ear.
However, if you want to use essential oil for skin allergies or as remedies for allergy itching, be sure to dilute it with a carrier oil first for topical applications.
3. Probiotics
Some allergic symptoms can be as a result of immune system imbalance.
In this case, you will be more vulnerable to allergens such as pollens, grass, and dust.
One way to get rid of allergies caused by this is by introducing probiotics into your diet.
Probiotics boost your immune system by adding beneficial bacteria to your digestive tract.
Fermented foods such as yogurt, kimchi, kombucha are good sources of probiotics.
4. Acupuncture
This is a form of alternative medicine that involves inserting specialized needles into meridian points of the body.
This practice has been said to treat depression, digestive issues, and boost the immune system.
A review of 13 different studies shows that acupuncture delivered positive results in the treatment of perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis.
This makes it an effective treatment to get rid of allergies.
5. Raw Honey
This is one of nature’s most potent natural medicines. It has been used since ancient times in treating all sorts of ailments.
Considering how good it tastes, it should not be much of a problem to take it as often as needed to treat seasonal allergies. And it works great too.
Taking a tablespoon of raw honey on a daily basis will help your body become tolerant of pollen that is often the major culprit of your clogged sinus and allergic sneezing.
If you have been wondering why honey works so well as a remedy for allergies and sinus, it is your lucky day.
Honey is known to contain bee pollen which is good for treating infections, prevent allergies, and boost your immune system.
Furthermore, it is best that you take raw honey made from bees in your locality, especially for treating allergies.
This is so because you will be afflicted by pollens in your locality.
Bees from there go from flower to flower carrying the pollens in the process.
So, it only makes sense that the honey from those bees will surely treat your particular pollen allergies.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar for Allergies
Would you not be surprised if this all-round medicine did not feature on this list?
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) has been used for many years to treat many different ailments internally and externally.
Asides it being a medicine, it can also be used for multitudes of housekeeping tasks.
It works great for seasonal allergy treatment as it reduces mucus production and cleanses the lymphatic system.
If you are up to it, you can just directly swallow a tablespoon of ACV.
If that is difficult because of its taste, you can mix it with a glass of water and honey.
7. Exercise
This might come across to you as absurd. No one wants to do any form of exercise while they are feeling blue and crummy.
However, research has shown that moderate to intense activity for about 30 minutes can produce anti-inflammatory effects in the nasal passage. This will help you reduce the symptoms of allergies.
In a case where your allergy is triggered by pollen, you might want to keep your exercise indoors.
That way, you will not be exposed to inhaling more pollen which will be counterproductive.
8. Saline Rinse for Allergies
One common way our body reacts to allergens, especially those that are air-borne is through mucus production.
This is so in an attempt to flush out the foreign body.
Our nasal pathway consists of many nooks and crannies. These are prime spots for pollen and dust to become trapped.
Until our bodies fully flush them out, the symptoms are bound to remain.
Saline rinse, also called nasal irrigation, is a good way to help the body get rid of allergies quicker.
Nasal irrigation can help with clogged sinuses as saline water helps to restore moisture to the nasal passages if they are dry.
You can buy an over-the-counter saline solution or simply make one at home.
A neti pot or squirt bottle can be used to apply the saline into your nose.
The procedure involves passing the saline through one nostril and have it flow out through the other.
So, be sure you are standing over a sink or a bowl to collect the out-flowing saline solution.
This procedure can thin out mucus and flush out bacteria and allergens from your nasal passages.
This is why it can be an effective way to get rid of allergies.
9. Quercetin for Allergies
This is a bioflavonoid that stabilizes the body’s release of histamine. This essentially helps to reduce allergic symptoms.
Quercetin also calms the hyperactivity of the airways which reduces the production of mucus.
Research has proven that quercetin is responsible for controlling peanut allergies which is a leading cause of life-threatening allergic attacks.
Some sources suggest that takes some time to start working so it should be used as a long-term treatment.
For instance, those who suffer seasonal allergies can start taking quercetin weeks before their allergy season starts.
10. Stinging Nettle
This has been used as far back as medieval Europe as a diuretic for treating joint pains and relieving fluid retention.
Stinging nettle acts as an anti-inflammatory so it can be useful for treating hay fever.
Some research also shows that it is used for allergic symptoms such as itchy eyes, runny nose, and sneezing.
Stinging nettles also controls the body’s histamine production.
For this reason, some medical practitioners recommend that it should be taken before the hat fever season begins.
This will essentially serve as prevention.
Stinging nettles can be used by drinking it as tea or use it in the tincture form.
Whichever method you prefer; you will still derive the benefits from it.
11. Spirulina
Studies have shown that spirulina can reduce the production of histamine and also relieve nasal inflammation.
Dietary spirulina which is a blue-green alga has shown antiallergic effects against allergic rhinitis.
12. Butterbur
Butterbur is a plant also known as Petasites Hybridus and has shown to work great for itchy eyes and to get rid of allergies.
Some professionals suggested that butterbur can be as effective at treating nasal symptoms as an antihistamine.
What makes butterbur better is that the sleepiness that comes with antihistamines will not be experienced.
Allergy Treatment Precautions
Now that you have some of the things you can use to get rid of allergies at home, you can better manage common and moderate allergic reactions.
There are certain things you need to be careful about; Mild to moderate allergic reactions can go away by itself over time.
That is if you want your body to fight on its own, but you will have to endure while the battle lasts.
However, there are times where the reaction might be severe.
In cases like this, it is extremely important that you see a doctor.
Some allergic reactions can be fatal if not handled properly.
A severe allergic reaction is termed as anaphylaxis. This can be triggered by insect stings, food allergens, medications, etc.
Some of its symptoms include chest pains, changes in blood pressure, tightness in the lungs, etc.
Some of the symptoms can affect the blood vessels, heart, lungs, etc.
Allergies happen because of a person’s hypersensitive immune system. This makes responses to be triggered.
The effect of this response is what turns out to be an allergic reaction.
These allergic reactions can be painful or at best discomforting.
Conclusion
The 12 natural remedies we have provided will help to relieve the symptoms of most mild allergic reactions.
An allergic reaction is not something to be worried about. However, you must seek urgent medical attention when it becomes severe.
The remedies we have provided here will suffice to help you get rid of allergies at home.
