Start by filling a squeeze bottle, or a Neti Pot with the saline solution, insert the tip into your nostril and squeeze gently. Aim the stream of the saline solution toward the back of your head, not toward the top. The saline wash should go through the nose and out the mouth or the other side of the nose. Blow your nose gently after and repeat as needed. You can store homemade saline solution at room temperature for three days.
Consider Alternative Natural Herbs and Healing Treatments
- Butterbur Shrub – In the Middle Ages butterbur was used for plague and fever, and in the 17th century, it was used to treat cough, asthma, and skin wounds. It has been promoted as a dietary supplement for urinary tract symptoms, stomach upset, headaches, migraines, including allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and
other conditions. - Spirulina Extract – A type of dried algae, spirulina was consumed by the ancient Aztecs who recognized it for its nutritional power as a superfood. It is known to give your immune system a boost in addition to easing seasonal allergy symptoms. However, the benefits and safety aren’t clear.
- Acupuncture – A Traditional Chinese Medicine practice, some people claim that acupuncture can help with seasonal allergy symptoms. There’s some evidence that acupuncture works, and there’s little evidence of harm. Make sure to talk to your doctor before trying any alternative treatments.
Over-the-counter remedies
Don’t have the time and money to go the natural route? Here are some nonprescription over-the-counter medications to help ease your allergy symptoms this season. They include:
Oral antihistamines – You may be familiar with Zyrtec Allergy, Claritin, and Allegra Allergy. These are all antihistamines like loratadine, cetirizine, or fexofenadine that can help relieve sneezing, itching, a runny nose, and watery eyes.
Decongestants – Sudafed, Afrinol, and others are what you would call oral decongestants. They include pseudoephedrine which can provide temporary relief from nasal stuffiness. Decongestants also come in nasal sprays, such as oxymetazoline found in Afrin and phenylephrine in Neo-Synephrine. It’s suggested to only use nasal decongestants for a few days in a row. Longer-term use of decongestant nasal sprays can actually worsen symptoms which is called rebound congestion.
Cromolyn sodium nasal spray – This more effective nasal spray can ease allergy symptoms and doesn’t have serious side effects, though it’s most effective when you begin using it before your symptoms start.
Combination medications – Allergy medications like loratadine-pseudoephedrine found in Claritin-D and fexofenadine-pseudoephedrine in Allegra-D combine an antihistamine with a decongestant to bring you fast relief.
If all else fails, seek help from your primary care physician for recommended treatments or medications. For more information on allergy symptoms and relief, visit our Health Conditions page on BlackDoctor.org.