Sunday, April 18, 2010

Home Remedies for Seasonal Allergy Symptoms


This is the time of the year that many of us walk around feeling as though we are in a purple haze. Hence, a good reason to share knowledge of home remedies for seasonal allergy symptoms that has worked for many. You develop the symptoms of a stuffy nose, which reverses from being stopped up and then starts dripping, itchy and or watery eyes, and lungs burns or produces a wheezing sound, and or a scratchy throat. Or you may have the misfortune of getting sinusitis or a more serious infection that sends you running to the doctor’s office for assistance in getting well.

Since numerous allergens are inhaled a certain amount of exposure to whatever bothers you is unavoidable. Some people prefer to take allergy shots as a means of avoiding the unpleasant sometimes painful symptoms that comes with seasonal allergies. Today many of the prescription drugs like Claritin, Zyrtec, and other over-the-counter antihistamines, can now be purchased from your local drugstore without a prescription. Some people have to experiment to find out which product works best to stop one’s post nasal drip, and or red and itchy eyes. Such allergy products alone maybe enough to sustain your allergic reactions; however, for those suffering from severe allergy symptoms more assistance will be required.

Allergy Symptoms

Allergy symptoms are categorized as mild, moderate, and severe. The ultimate goal of this blog would be to assist you in keeping your symptoms ranging from mild to moderate whenever possible. Now let’s take a look at what happens within each category of allergy symptoms:

Mild allergy symptoms – Include rash, itch or watery eyes, and or congestion. These symptoms tend to stay in a localized region usually in an around the area of where the allergen has entered the body. For example a rash would occur on hands if you touched something you were allergic to verses a food allergy might cause the throat to itch.

Moderate allergy symptoms – Itchiness and or difficulty in breathing are the symptoms of this category and these allergic reactions can include some or all of the mild allergy signs as well as one or both of the moderate symptoms. In addition these symptoms may spread to other parts of the body.

Severe Allergy Symptoms or (Anaphylaxis) – Anaphylaxis is serious. It happens when the body sets off a “warning, warning, intruder alert signal.” The body’s response to the allergen is sudden and affects the entire body. This is the one that can be potentially life threatening if not taken care of correctly and immediately. The allergic symptoms may begin with a sudden swelling and or itching of the face and or eyes and within minutes symptoms can worsen instead of improving.

• The overall severe allergy symptoms include: varying degrees of swellings that can make swallowing and or breathing difficult. There may be cramps, abdominal pain involved, vomiting, diarrhea, and or mental confusion or dizziness.

Several people have food allergies that cause them to move rapidly into the severe allergy stage. This can be a dangerous place to be in because the allergic response can be marked by swelling hives that ultimately can become severe enough not only to cause difficulty in breathing, lowered blood pressure, and or dilated blood vessels. An individual can go into anaphylactic shock and if not treated immediately, it can be fatal.

Suggestions for Allergy Relief

Here are some of the home remedies that you can use for recovery

Neti Pot - It naturally cleanses, refreshes, and protects the nasal passages, one of our body's first lines of defense against illness.

Multi-Vitamins – Suggestions are that you should make taking multi-vitamins a part of your daily regimen for numerous reasons. Well, add assisting to help provide nutrients that can ease the sneeze to the list. Allergy symptoms occur when your body’s immune system overreacts to allergens in your environment. Vitamin C stops histamine, magnesium may ease breathing, and other nutrients help to protect mucous membranes.

Probiotics - Are live microorganisms (good bacteria and or yeasts) that have been found to improve the immune system. When administered in adequate amounts it confers a health benefit to anyone that takes them on a routine bases.

European herb butterbur (Petasites hybridus) - There’s a lot of buzz about this product now a days. The British Medical Journal, in 2002 published results of a study from a group of Swiss researchers that revealed just one tablet of butterbur four times daily was as effective as a popular antihistamine drug in controlling symptoms of hay fever. The greatest benefit was there was no traditional symptom of drowsiness that sometimes occurs with antihistamines. Butterbur leaves and root extracts are used to treat allergies, as well as bronchial asthma, headache, and pain.

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) - This nettle is one of nature’s best nutraceuticals (combination of nutrition and pharmaceutical) containing vitamins A, C, D, and B complex, beta-carotene, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and protein. The stinging comes from the presence of histamine on the hairs of the leaves and stems. An extract from the root of the nettle contains natural antihistamines and anti-inflammatory (including quercetin), that can open up constricted bronchial and nasal passages, helping to ease hay fever, and nose and or sinus type allergies symptoms. It acts as an astringent to mucous membranes. Use for chronic inflammations and excessive mucous discharge.

Indian Board of Alternative Medicines
80, Chowringhee Road
Calcutta - 700020
India
http://www.altmedworld.net