For many people, dealing with allergies is a way of life. Allergies can be caused by a number of things.
What Is An Allergy?
An allergy is what happens when your body tissues are unusually sensitive to, or react abnormally to, an allergen. Among the most common allergens are pets and pet hair, dust, molds and mildew, certain types of food, and plants, particularly pollen. However, there are other causes besides these. Allergens can get into your body via your blood stream or by direct contact with your skin or mucus membranes. Whilst allergies are generally more common in the elderly and the very young, anyone of any age can be affected by an allergy. Allergies can also affect any part of the body and they range from minor inconveniences to serious and life threatening situations.
Common Symptoms Of Allergies
Some common signs of allergies are hives, sneezing, a runny nose, and congestion in the respiratory tract. If you find yourself suffering from an allergy, the first step is to identify the allergen and then take steps to either remove it from your environment or limit your contact with it. If it’s food related, remove that food from your diet. Some common allergy causing foods are eggs, milk, citrus fruit, wheat, tomatoes, strawberries, chocolate and seafood. For dust, mould and mildew allergies, keeping your house clean will help alleviate your allergies. Keeping pets outside, or ensuring they don’t get on the furniture or your bed, will help with pet allergies although you may find you have to rehome your pet if your allergy gets bad enough.
Treating Your Allergy – Prescription Or Natural
Many people seek medical treatment in order to access prescription allergy medications and for serious allergic reactions this is your only safe course of action. However, many natural or home remedies are quite effective for treating mild allergies. These natural allergy remedies have the advantage of being cheap, readily available and easy to make. You probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry!
A Banana A Day Keeps Many Things Away, Including Skin Allergies
If your allergy causes digestive issues, a skin rash or asthma, try eating a banana or two daily. They’re also very nutritious, being a good source of potassium and dietary fiber as well as vitamins C and B6. Plus they could lower blood pressure and improve the health of your heart as well as reduce your risk of some types of cancers.
Vitamins – Vital For Combating Allergies
Vitamin E has broad anti-allergic properties – taking 400 milligrams daily is an effective way to deal with many allergies. Likewise, one hundred milligrams daily of pantothenic acid, commonly known as vitamin B5, will also quickly and effectively treat allergies.
Castor Oil – Your Grandmother’s Cure All Remedy And Also Great For Allergies
Intestinal tract allergies, skin allergies and allergies that affect the nasal passages can often be treated successfully with castor oil. Just add four or five drops to a glass of water or fruit or vegetable juice first thing in the morning, preferably on an empty stomach.
Detox And Treat Your Allergy At The Same Time With Warm Lime Water
If you don’t suffer from allergies to citrus fruit, lime juice is a great treatment for most allergies. Add the juice of half a lime to warm water for a very effective daily anti-allergy tonic. For long-term results, do this daily for some months. This, or lemon juice in warm water, is also a great way to detox your body. To sweeten, just add some honey or corn syrup.
The Allergy Soothing Benefits Of Ginger
Ginger is another one of nature’s great allergy soothers. It’s a strong antihistamine and decongestant. To prepare your ginger allergy tonic, peel the skin off a small piece of raw ginger then chop into small pieces. Pour boiling water over the ginger and let it soak for about 10 minutes. Sweeten to taste with a bit of honey, stir and drink. Do this daily for effective allergy relief.
Vegetable Juices – More Than Just A Way To Get Your Daily Five
A combination of certain vegetable juices will help relieve allergies. Notably beetroot, cucumber and carrot juices. The most effective ratios of these juices is around one-fifth cucumber juice, one-fifth beetroot juice and three-fifths carrot juice. You’ll need to drink about 500 mls daily for best results. As an added advantage, you’ll be contributing to your daily quota of vegetables. Both beetroot and carrot juices are amazingly nutritious and full of anti-oxidants.
There’s Nothing Like A Fresh Brew Of Tea For Relaxing; And Treating Your Allergy
Your allergy causing blocked sinuses and a stuffy nose? A nice refreshing cup of peppermint tea is just what you need to help clear them. Peppermint is a great decongestant with anti microbial and anti inflammatory properties. Steep half an ounce of dried peppermint leaves in boiling water for around 5 minutes. Allow to cool before straining and sweetening to taste. Still on the subject of teas for treating allergies, green tea is a potent source of antihistamines. It’s also full of catechins, polyphenols, antioxidants and many other valuable plant compounds. In fact, you’ll be doing your overall health a huge favor by getting into the habit of having a daily cup or two of green tea. You can even combine the two for a peppermint infused green tea brew.
Oatmeal – A Great Way To Start Your Day And Treat Your Hives
To treat hives, make yourself some oatmeal water. Simply soak some oatmeal in a cup of boiling water, allow to sit for half an hour then strain. When cool, apply the liquid to the hives.
Add Flavor And Combat Allergies With Garlic
No list of natural remedies would be complete without the garlic! Garlic is a natural blood purifier and a great help to your immune system generally. What may not be so commonly known though is that it’s also an excellent decongestant. You can eat garlic raw or add it to your favorite dishes for the dual benefits of great taste and natural allergy relief.
There are also other ways you can help yourself deal with allergies. This includes not drinking too many caffeinated drinks and avoiding alcohol. The additives in these products can affect your overall health and impact adversely on your body’s ability to deal with allergies.
Of course it goes without saying that if you have a serious or life threatening allergy always get proper medical treatment. Conditions like asthma, which can be brought on by allergens, are potentially life threatening and need the correct medications.
