How to Treat Allergies Without Medicine
Living with allergies can be a challenge! Stuffy noses and swollen, watery eyes can be a daily nightmare. If you’re an allergy sufferer, you know your good and bad days vary as the pollen count fluctuates.
Depending on the severity of your allergies, you may want to consider other, more natural options before self-medicating.
If you're looking for ways to reduce your allergies without medication, here are our top suggestions for controlling your symptoms:
1. Do Saline Nasal Irrigation
Nasal irrigation uses a saline solution to cleanse your nasal passages. You can use a neti pot purchased from your local drugstore or a squeeze bottle. This irrigation flushes your sinuses, removing irritants that cause your allergies.
2. Keep Your Home Allergen-Free
If you suffer from allergies, keep your home as clean as possible. Dust mites are a common allergen, so vacuum and dust regularly. Also, consider investing in an air purifier, which can reduce the dust and other allergens in your home.
3. Wash Your Face and Hair
This tip is especially important if you've been outside all day. Washing your face and hair removes any pollen that’s collected on you throughout the day. If you don’t have time to take a shower, at least wash your face and hands and change your clothes.
4. Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water keeps mucus thin, making it easier for you to breathe. When it’s seasonal allergy season, increase your water intake. It's also important to avoid sugary drinks, as they can increase inflammation and worsen your allergies.
5. Invest in a HEPA Filter
A HEPA filter makes a significant difference for allergy sufferers with indoor allergies. These filters remove 99.9% of allergens from the air, making it much easier to breathe. Remember to change your filter regularly!
6. Keep Your Windows Closed
When the pollen count is high, keep your windows closed in your home and vehicle. This practice reduces your exposure to seasonal allergens, especially when the pollen count is high. If you need fresh air, consider opening the window in the evenings, when there tends to be fewer allergens in the air. To check your local counts, visit your regional weather channel or newspaper.
7. Wear a Mask
If you must be outside for an extended time, consider wearing a mask, which reduces your pollen exposure. An N95 mask is the most effective, blocking around 95% of pollen and other small particles, but any kind helps.
8. Avoid Allergy Triggers
Although it may not always be possible, try to avoid your allergy triggers. This practice may mean staying indoors on days when the pollen count is high or avoiding being around pets. It may also mean having someone else mow the lawn or vacuum the house.
9. See an Allergist
If your allergies are severe, consider seeing an allergist. These allergy specialists can identify your triggers and find ways to avoid them. They can also prescribe medication if necessary. An allergy doctor can also determine if you’re a candidate for immunotherapy. This treatment desensitizes the immune system so that it stops reacting to allergies.
Are You Ready for Long-Lasting Allergy Relief?
At Wyndly, we’re committed to improving the quality of life for allergy sufferers. Our process requires no shots and no waiting rooms. Our allergy doctors work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan offering long-term allergy relief through clinically-proven therapies. Take our two-minute assessment to see if you’re a candidate and start your journey to living free from allergies!
