8 Natural Allergy Relief Home Remedies

An allergy is a common disorder than many people have to deal with throughout their lives. Allergies occur due to the body's immune system having an abnormal reaction towards certain substances that are, in most cases, fairly harmless. These substances, known as allergens, can trigger an allergic reaction that range from mild to life-threatening.

Some of the more common allergies include:

• Food allergies (primarily the chemicals found in certain foods)
• Pollen (hay fever)
• House dust
• Insects and insect stings
• Pet allergy (primarily from pet down)
• Cosmetic allergies
• Latex allergy
• Plant allergies (like poison ivy)
• Cigarette smoke

Common allergic reactions to such allergies include:

• Skin: rash, eczema, hives
• Airways: sneezing, coughing, wheezing, asthma, tightening of the airways
• Eyes: itchiness, burning
• Stomach: abdominal pains, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea
• Sinus: headaches, facial pain or pressure, nasal discharge

These reactions can vary, and have different levels of severity from person to person. Here is a list of natural allergy remedies you can try to help relieve you from the discomforts of certain allergic reactions:

1. Hydration

Keeping your body properly hydrated is one of the many natural remedies for allergies. By drinking plenty of fluids, primarily water, you can help your body flush out any mucus, which can help with airborne allergens like dust and pollen, especially during springtime. Another key that is commonly overlooked when looking to stay hydrated is the important minerals needed to keep your body hydrated, such as:

• Sodium
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Calcium

Try maintaining a daily allowance for these minerals with multivitamins or by eating certain foods like spinach, whole grains and peanuts.

2. Nasal Flush

A quick, natural remedy for allergies that affect the sinuses is to do a nasal flush with saltwater. You can either purchase a saline solution at a drugstore, or mix your own saltwater solution with sea salt, distilled water and a little bit of baking soda. All you have to do is:

1. Fill a squeeze bottle with your saltwater solution.
2. Tilt your head forward over a sink.
3. Squeeze the solution up one nostril (don't accidentally swallow it).
4. Allow the solution to drain out of the other nostril.

3. Oatmeal Bath

Similar to its effectiveness for treating chicken pox, an oatmeal bath is a great way to help soothe skin allergies and rashes. Just get a scoop of oatmeal (about 1-to-2 cups) and grind the oats in a blender until your left with a powder. Fill your bathtub with warm water and the oatmeal powder, and soak in your oatmeal bath to soothe your itching and calm the inflammation.

4. Eat Some "Good" Bacteria

"Good" bacteria, also known as probiotics, is one of the amazing health benefits of yogurt. Whenever you read a yogurt label that shows "live and active cultures," that means you're getting a helping of probiotics with every spoonful. An imbalance of intestinal flora is a common allergic reaction, and the probiotics from yogurt can help remedy this problem.

5. Invest in an Air Purifier

Reduce the risk of inhaling airborne allergens by investing in an air purifier. An air purifier in the bedroom is a great way to eliminate pollen and spores in the air that commonly cause allergic reactions when you're at home.

6. Reduce Dust

Allergies caused by the dust around your home can be a major issue. Try eliminating the source of the problem with these few simple ideas:

• Wash bedding in hot water on a weekly basis.
• Cover mattresses, pillows and cushions with dust-proof covers.
• Reduce the amount of clutter in your home to prevent dust from accumulating.
• Protect your children from dust mites by washing their stuffed animals.
• Remove the carpet flooring from your home.

7. Green Tea

Green tea is one of the natural allergy remedies that can easily be obtained to help relieve allergic reactions on the skin. All you have to do is soak a teabag of green tea in a cup like you normally would, then rub the teabag over the affected area of the skin. The green tea should help reduce the swelling, redness and irritation from the skin allergy, and can be used multiple times a day.

8. Quercetin

Quercetin is a type of flavonoid that can be used as a natural allergy remedy. The immune system releases histamines when it abnormally reacts to an allergen, which leads to an allergic reaction. Allergies are commonly treated with antihistamine medications. Quercetin is a natural antihistamine that can help alleviate allergic reactions and reduce inflammations. Common foods that contain quercetin include:

• Apples
• Onions
• Broccoli
• Red grapes
• Tomatoes
• Grapefruit

Final Note

Keep in mind that some of these natural allergy remedies can possibly cause an allergic reaction in some people. If any of these remedies produce some sort of allergic reaction you were unaware of, stop its usage and consult a physician. Seek medical attention for severe allergic reactions, and do not attempt to alleviate the problem with one of these natural allergy remedies.