Natural Remedies for Allergies

Allergy is a type of hypersensitivity caused due to overreactions of the immune system. When the body encounters a specific allergen, the antibody IgE regulates hyperactivity of white blood cells (WBCs), resulting in various allergic reactions or inflammatory responses. Inflammatory responses include hives, hay fever, asthma, eczema and reactions to food ingredients and insect stings.

Allergic reactions are observed even after an exposure to harmless environmental agents or allergens. In fact, anything that the body encounters as a foreign particle can be an allergen. Allergy is a very commonly seen problem all over the world. It is estimated that about 20 percent of Americans suffer from allergies.

Causes and Symptoms of Allergies

Allergies can be caused due to many factors such as foods, medicines, insect bites, pet danders and other seasonal allergens. Majority of people are susceptible to seasonal allergens like pollens, grasses, weeds, molds, yeasts and smoke. During allergic reaction, a major biochemical change is the release of histamines in the bloodstream, which act on the eyes, nose, skin, throat and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Some of the common noticeable symptoms of allergies are hives, rash, running nose, wheezing, sneezing and itchy eyes.

Allergies are diagnosed based on the symptoms, physical examination and certain laboratory tests like skin sensitivity to allergens and blood tests to determine the elevated levels of IgE. You should immediately opt for the treatment, because an untreated allergic reaction can lead to a severe condition called anaphylaxis. In such a condition, the person may experience difficulty in swallowing, shortness of breath, dizziness and inflammation in the lips, tongue, throat and GI tract. At times, anaphylaxis may cause loss of consciousness.

Natural Remedies for Allergies

Different treatment options for allergies include anti-histamines, steroids, other medications and target therapy. In addition to these therapeutic approaches, there are various effective natural remedies for allergy relief. In order to treat allergies, the basic tip is to identify the cause of the condition and avoid further exposure to the allergen. For example, contact allergies like skin rash and hives can be treated by preventing exposure to the allergen. Similarly, people with food allergies like milk allergy and peanut allergy are recommended not to take foods that are causing allergic reactions.

Honey
One of the most effective natural remedies for the treatment of allergies is honey. Honey consists of pollen allergens and other effective ingredients. Locally produced honey are more preferable, as it contains plant pollens that counteract allergic reactions by stimulating the immune system.

Butterbur
Butterbur is a medicinal herb used for the treatment of allergies. The extracts of this herb prevent the action of histamine and other inflammatory responses. Dietary supplements prepared from butter bur are available in the market as tablets. The crude plant extract is not recommended as it contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

Quercetin
Quercetin is an antioxidant found in foods like apples, berries, onions and black tea. It helps to block the synthesis of histamines, thus reducing the allergy symptoms. Nutritional supplements of quercetin in various doses are available in the market.

Antihistamine
Vitamin C is a naturally occurring antihistamine. Including vitamin C rich foods in the diet helps in treating allergies. Over-the-counter antihistamines can be used to prevent further release of histamines in the bloodstream. However, make sure to use antihistamines from a reliable source to prevent unpredictable side effects.

Natural Antioxidants
Natural antioxidants consist of fruits and vegetables, which contain high amount of antioxidants. Some of the recommended fruits and vegetables used to treat the allergies include grape seed extract, banana, apple, tomatoes, carrots and onion.

Saltwater Gargling
The most effective natural remedy for throat swelling caused by postnasal drip is to gargle with warm salt water solution. In addition, saline nasal sprays help in washing the pollen and/or other allergens present in the nose, thus reducing the allergic reactions.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are found to lower the synthesis of inflammatory chemicals that are responsible for causing allergic reactions. Food source of omega-3 fatty acids are walnuts, flaxseed oil and fish oils.

Following the above natural remedies will help in managing the symptoms of allergy. However, it is advisable to consult a qualified physician before opting for any natural remedy, especially if you are taking higher doses for a prolonged duration. In addition, children, pregnant women and nursing women should take medical supervision prior to taking any natural remedies for allergies.