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It took a whole day for Ajay to become used to the pollen in the air. He was vacationing in beautiful Kashmir. But what he did not realise, was that spring in Srinagar is the time for the Tulip festival. He spent an entire day suffering from an allergic reaction and could only manage to go out after a day's rest. Allergies can be a mood dampener anytime without a warning. How comforting would it be to know a quick home remedy that can bring instant relief, especially in this kind of situation? Home remedies for allergies can be easier and more cost-effective to administer and have no side effects by virtue of being natural and organic.
While the commonly prescribed drugs like antihistamines and corticosteroids are quite easily available to combat itching, sneezing, breathlessness and other severe reactions, many of you might seek alternative or complementary approaches which are easily accessible at home. In this article, you will be able to explore all the lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, and herbal concoctions required to combat your allergic nightmares. Let’s begin!
Pro Tip: Soothe Your Symptoms
First and foremost keep a check on your home and its surroundings to avoid any reaction by making some lifestyle changes.
Modify Lifestyle for Allergy Ease
Before it turns your bright day into a gloomy dark nightmare, deal with allergens and the reactions at your home with these lifestyle modifications:
1. Avoiding Contact with Allergens: The first line of defence involves identifying and avoiding allergens like pollen, dust mites pet dander, mould smoke etc. Such dust allergy treatment at home, or rather prevention would include wearing a pollen mask even when indoors. You can even use allergen-proof bedsheets and pillow covers, or clean linens regularly.
2. Hepa Filters / Cleaner Air: For dust allergy treatment at home the air in the room needs to be fresh. High-efficiency particulate Air Filters trap these particles or allergens circulating indoors invisible to the naked eye and provide effective relief to those suffering from asthma. It is also used as a treatment for allergy cough and effectual as a cure for itchy eyes to a certain extent.
3. Sinus Soothing Saline Irrigation: One of the most effective allergic rhinitis treatment at home, this process involves rinsing your nasal passage with saline water to clear breathing pathways of mucus and relieve congestion and nasal irritation.
4. Steam Therapy Relief: To further loosen out the mucus, use a steamer to breathe in warm, moist air, with a few drops of eucalyptus or peppermint oil. This can be among the many allergy cough home remedies, along with saline water gargling. However, be careful not to inhale essential oils directly.
5. Probiotic Relief: Probiotics are closely related to your intestinal flora. It colonises the inner lining of the intestinal tract and improves the intestinal cell wall barrier. This helps in stabilising gut health by helping the gut bacteria to thrive and maintain the normal physiology of the tract. Hence intake of yoghurt or some probiotic supplements might help relieve food allergy symptoms easily.
6. Honey: An age-old ‘nuska’ honey has been a major ingredient in Ayurveda. Some theories suggest that consuming local honey can immune you to the reaction of pollen which otherwise can act as an allergen. Quercetin in honey is believed to be anti-inflammatory and reduces pollen energy symptoms. It stabilises the histamine-releasing cells and reduces the trigger reaction to pollen allergies.
7. Oatmeal Baths: Baths with powdered oatmeal or oatmeal poultice help in skin allergy treatment at home. You may add some essential oils like lavender oil for further relief.
8. Topical Application: Home remedies for skin allergy can also include topical application of some plant extracts like aloe vera, neem, and stinging nettle. These herbs have anti-inflammatory properties and can fight infections effectively.
>> Also Read: What Triggers Skin Allergy?
Tweak Your Diet to Fight Allergies
Although it is not necessary to change your diet completely nor is it advisable, some tweaks and tricks should help you incorporate meals in your daily routine which can cure dust allergy naturally.
1. Vitamin C support: This micronutrient which our body is unable to produce, can do wonders for your immunity. A mere 2 grams of Vitamin C can decrease your Histamine levels by almost 38%. So, though there is no direct link between the two, Vitamin C supply to the body during allergic reactions improves immunity. You can mitigate any seasonal or environmental allergic reactions from mould, dust, pollen and pet dander, from affecting your upper respiratory tract. Its antihistaminic property helps to control symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma.
2. Antioxidant Intake: Antioxidants or flavonoids such as Quercetin are available in fruits like apples and berries.These antioxidants feed on the harmful free radicals available in the body and reduce the risk of allergy symptoms such as runny nose, watery eyes and even swelling of the face.
3. Turmeric Surprise: Turmeric plays an important part in home remedies for sneezing, stuffiness and runny nose. Curcumin, a major component of turmeric is said to be responsible for its medicinal properties. Other than using it in Indian curries or dals, you can also try a Golden milk latte or a smoothie to make it a part of your daily diet.
4. Foods to Avoid: Inflammation is one of the major underlying causes of seasonal allergies. So foods which do not give you rashes may indirectly be responsible for your allergic reaction due to inflammatory properties. Homemade remedies for allergies can involve refraining from certain inflammatory ingredients like refined carbohydrates, fried foods like chips, Soda, processed red meat and butter.
Treat Allergies with Your Herbal Buddies
These easily available herbs in your home can do wonders in giving relief from an allergic reaction:
1. Fenugreek seeds: Lovingly called ‘methi’, find their place in every Indian kitchen. It is traditionally used for treating eczema and mild inflammation of the skin. It can be best used for the treatment of skin rashes. Take a few fenugreek seeds and boil them in water, then mix them with cold water and take a bath.
2. Chamomile Flower: The simplest skin allergy treatment at home is by making a paste of chamomile flowers and gently covering your rashes with it. You can also brew the flowers and drink them as tea. In addition to being an anti-inflammatory, it also aids in relaxation and sleep.
3. Bromelain: Found in fruits like pineapple it is an enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties, that help alleviate allergic symptoms like sneezing, itching and even nasal congestion.
4. Nettle leaves: It is a natural anti-histamine that helps fight sneezing and itching in people suffering from hay fever. This ability is attributed to its capacity to reduce histamine in the body, thus decreasing the allergic reaction. However, it should be used by pregnant or breastfeeding mothers with caution and only after physicians advise.
5. Mulethi or Licorice, Cinnamon: Also known as sweet wood, is an excellent herb found in every Indian kitchen that is used as one of the easily accessible allergy cough home remedies. It thins out the mucus in nasal passages and helps relieve congestion during cough and cold. Even cinnamon has a similar effect on sore throat and cough. A cup of cinnamon tea can help you breathe with ease during congestion.
6. Ginger: This is the most popular of the herbs in Asian kitchens. Its anti-inflammatory properties are used to make herbal cough syrup that helps with sore throat. A concoction of ginger along with honey, and ‘tulsi’ or Indian Basil, is still considered to be the best bet for seasonal flu. It is an integral part of our Grandmother’s “ ghar ka nuska” as they hardly believed in artificial tablets and injections. The famous ‘Kaadha’ and ‘haldiwala doodh’ were supposed to heal everything from cough, cold and fever to body aches and joint pains. This is still the most coveted home allergy relief method in any Indian household.
7. Aloe Vera: This plant has gained importance due to its multivariate usage in treating a variety of issues. It is anti-bacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory. Nowadays every family has an aloe vera plant in their balcony garden. The gel from the leaves can be directly used on any itchy and swollen skin and the effect is almost instantaneous. There are also aloe vera gels available in the markets that can be used as moisturisers on your face if you are having problems with skin rashes from sun exposure. Again, a word of caution- A patch test should be done before using it on the face. Some people are shown to be allergic to Aloe Vera as well.
Take Care of Yourself!
Homemade remedies for allergies are cost-effective and cheaper, but you need to be patient to get the desired results. Also, some natural remedies are extremely potent when used in isolation. Hence, caution is the keyword. Do consult your physician or an Ayurvedic medicine practitioner before getting adventurous with home remedies.
In case you are unable to find a suitable remedy at home but still do not want to go for synthetic medicines, you can go for Ayurvedic treatment and consult an Ayurvedic practitioner. God forbid, if you are happened to be admitted, the good news is that the incurred expenses will be covered by your health insurance under their AYUSH coverage.
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