According to 2003 information from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, an estimated 40 to 50 million Americans have some form of allergies. Though billions are spent each year on prescription and over-the-counter allergy medications in the United States, natural remedies also offer relief from sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, runny nose and other allergy symptoms.
Reduce Allergen Exposure
Limiting your exposure to common allergens, including mold, dust mites and cockroach dander, is one strategy to prevent allergy symptoms naturally. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recommends purging clutter in your home and keeping surfaces clear and dust free. To prevent dust mites, wash bedding weekly in hot water and encase your mattresses and pillows with plastic zippered allergen covers. Keeping windows closed, changing air conditioner filters regularly and running dehumidifiers and bathroom fans can reduce indoor humidity that leads to mold growth and dust mites. Allergic pet owners, who don't give up their animals, should keep pets out of sleeping areas. You can avoid cockroach allergens by keeping food covered and choosing bait traps instead of chemical sprays, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
Nasal Rinse
Rinsing your nasal passages with saltwater offers allergy symptom relief and may reduce the need for antihistamines, according to the Mother Earth News website. To use a neti pot or nasal wash system, available at grocery and drugstores, mix table salt with warm water, tilt your head to the side and pour into one nostril, allowing the water to flow out the other side. Afterward, blow your nose gently to relieve congestion. The warm water improves congestion and helps rinse away particles of pollen that may contribute to allergy symptoms.
Supplements
Dietary supplements are another natural option for controlling allergies, according to the Mother Earth News website. Quercetin may help prevent mast cells from releasing histamine, the chemical linked to the inflammation associated with allergic reactions. Eating fatty fish or taking fish oil supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids may also inhibit inflammation. People who prefer natural allergy remedies to antihistamine medicines may want to try herbal supplements containing stinging nettle. This weed, sometimes sold as teas or tinctures as well as herbal extracts, reduces the body's ability to produce histamine and decreases allergy symptoms. Before taking any dietary or herbal supplements, however, check with your physician; supplements may interact with other medications you are taking, rendering them ineffective or causing dangerous side effects.
