Spring is here and though the sun is shining brightly and the flowers are starting to bloom, it can be one of the most unpleasant seasons for those that have allergies.
For some, spring pretty much means months of watery eyes, itchiness, and constant sneezing. The good thing is that there are several effective ways to help those that have to battle allergies every year.
Better Than Over-The-Counter Drugs
Although there are several remedies and prescriptions that help individuals cope with allergies, one should consider avoiding over-the-counter drugs. According to one study, pills such as Zyrtec and anything homeopathic has side effects and only serve to suppress the symptoms for a short period of time.
"Patients struggle to alleviate their misery, frequently self-adjusting their treatment regimen of over-the-counter and prescription medications because of lack of efficacy, deterioration of efficacy, lack of 24-hour relief, and bothersome side effects," the study revealed.
Unfortunately, allergies are caused by one's own immune system and ramps up in response to pollen, which is a histamine reaction. This means that there is no over-the-counter drug that can prevent this from happening, which is why the NIH and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality have proven that allergy shots may be the best solution.
When an individual gets the shot, the gradual de-sensitization trains their immune system to not react so badly.
Solutions To Get Allergy Relief
An allergy shot might be a good solution but if stopped allergies can reappear after a few years. However, there are other remedies, such as nasal irrigation, which is a way to rinse out your nose by using salt water that can help relieve the symptoms throughout the spring season.
Nasal Rinse
Nasal cortiscosteroid sprays help alleviate stuffiness and sneezing. Put a saline mix, which can be store-bought or made at home, into a neti pot or a squeeze bottle and flush out your nasal passages.
Acupuncture
Some studies suggest that acupuncture can be another solution as it eases symptoms, but in order for it to really work it must be done two months before allergy season begins.
Switch Things Up
Fresh air might feel great now that it is warmer, but it would be best to keep all windows closed to keep pollen out. Instead, opt for air conditioning or a fan to make it feel as though cool air is coming in.
Dust can also play a pivotal role in triggering allergies. Try vacuuming instead of sweeping to help get rid of all the dust mites that might be lying around the house.
