Allergy Home Remedies

There are many allergy symptoms that you can manage with home remedies. Always consult your doctor for severe allergic reactions or for consistent symptoms, or when a fever accompanies allergy symptoms. For normal everyday allergy symptoms you can find some relief by following these home remedy tips.

If you experience a sore or irritated throat caused by postnasal drip you may want to try using a gargle made from warm salt water. To make the gargle you will need to make a saltwater mixture.

You will need:

1 tsp. (5 g) of salt
8 fl oz. of lukewarm water
A small glass

Mix the salt into the glass of lukewarm water and gargle as often as you feel the need to. The more often you gargle, the better your throat will feel. It is also important to drink more fluids when you have an irritated throat.

Another remedy for an irritated throat is to make a weak tea and put honey and lemon in it. DO NOT GIVE CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 18 months HONEY.

You can also take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help relieve the pain of an irritated or sore throat. Never give aspirin to children without being told to do so by a doctor due to the risk for a rare but serious illness called, Reye’s syndrome.

When a child must take aspirin, care must be taken to reduce the child’s risk of catching a viral illness such as the flu and chickenpox. Aspirin should be avoided for several weeks after receiving a varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.Note: Other over-the-counter medications such as Pepto-Bismol and compounds containing oil of wintergreen also contain aspirin-compounds called salicylates. These should not be given to a child who has a cold or fever.

You can also clear the inside of your nose with salt water in order to reduce the postnasal drip. To make this solution you will need

A 1/4 tsp. (1.25 g) of salt
A 1/4 tsp. (1.25 g) of baking soda
6 fl. oz. (175 mL.) of warm water
A container with a seal to place the mixture and a nose dropper

Mix the ingredients and place in container. Use the dropper (clean) to draw up the solution into the dropper and gently squirt the solution into each nostril. You will need to tilt your heat back slightly in order for the solution to run through the nasal passages and down the back of your throat. Spit the saltwater solution out your mouth. If you do swallow some of the solution it will not hurt you.

Controlling indoor allergies may seem like a daunting task, but do not despair it can be done. Your air filter for your air conditioner, air purifier and furnace can be a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter which may help reduce the particles in the air that contribute to your indoor allergies. You can keep your home aired out and dry by keeping the moisture level below 50% on your dehumidifier during humid weather.

Dust and vacuum at least 2 times a week. Use a filter on your vacuum that is (HEPA), so that you will be collecting those pesky little dust-mite particles and any pollen that has found its way into your home. If you use the standard paper bag filters for your vacuum the “stirred-up allergens” in the air will escape back into your rooms.

If you are the one with the indoor allergies wear a facemask when dusting and vacuuming your rooms. You should avoid using carpet, upholstered furniture, and heavy drapes in your rooms because these articles collect dust.

Other Helpful Tips

Do not use rugs or wall-to-wall carpeting.
Use roll-down shades or washable curtains for your windows.
Damp mop the hard surface floors once a day.
Vacuum the walls, ceiling, closets, and the backs of the furniture once a week to get rid of dust.
Make a solution of baking soda, mineral oil, club soda, or vinegar to clean instead of using harsh commercial cleaners that can produce allergic reactions in those who are sensitive.
Regularly clean your air-conditioning and heating ducts and vents.

Keep air registers closed if there is a pet in the house, to reduce the animal dander from circulating around the rooms, especially in the bedrooms. Repair any water-damaged areas that leak such as roofs or basements immediately as these can lead to mold-growing areas, which can aggravate allergies.

Bedrooms are prime areas to keep clean and dust free as especially children spend approximately 50% of the time there so if you have an allergic child, concentrate your efforts on their bedroom. Keep items that collect dust in another room. These dust-collecting items include: stuffed toys, pictures, books, knickknacks, and also artificial flowers and trophies. Stay away from wool or down blankets, feather pillows, and also foam rubber mattress pads.

Wash all bedding, pillow covers, once a week in hot water. You can use a pillow cover that is allergen-proof casing to help reduce nighttime allergens. Do not have fish tanks or plants in the bedroom as these increase humidity and attract dust mites.

Allergies can range from being a minor irritant to a major medical concern. Do your best to make yourself comfortable and seek medical attention if they become a problem.