Help for Allergies That Doesn’t Require Medication
Image by FreePikTemperatures are warming up. The birds are singing. Leaves are appearing on trees. Spring is in the air!
That also means your nose may be dripping, your eyes are burning, and you can’t stop sneezing. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, this can be a rough time of year. Over the counter allergy medications definitely help a lot of people, but some of us just don’t like the way they make us feel. They can make you drowsy, cause dry mouth or eyes, blurry vision, headaches, and more. But, there are some other things that you can try without side effects that may help you this spring.
What Causes Seasonal Allergies?
Allergies are caused by an over reaction from your immune system. When small particles such as pollen, dust, or animal dander are breathed in, some people have immune systems that respond by releasing histamine. This hormone is what causes the allergic reaction. In other words, the pollen, dust, or animal dander are harmless but your body doesn’t think it is. Your immune system is doing this to itself.
Symptoms include:
Congestion
Coughing
Wheezing, shortness of breath
Tiredness
Itchy skin, hives and other skin rashes
Itchy, red, watering eyes
A running or blocked nose, or sneezing
Insomnia
Nausea and vomiting
Allergies are extremely common, with 40 to 50 million people in the US who have them. They also tend to be genetic. Some people unfortunately have severe, life threatening allergies.
Histamine, the hormone that causes allergies, can be blocked with medications called antihistamines. They can be prescription or non-prescription, depending on the ingredients and strength. Finding an antihistamine that works for you can be a matter of trial and error and if you find one, great! But some people just don’t like the way they feel when taking antihistamines. It beats allergies, but leads to its own set of issues.
What Else Can I Do for Allergies?
If you’re someone who suffers from relatively mild allergies, particularly seasonal allergies, there may be some alternative options for you when it comes to treating your symptoms or even preventing a reaction. If you have a severe or life threatening allergy, we strongly recommend talking to your doctor before discontinuing medication or trying something new. Keep in mind that these natural remedies are not effective in the event of an emergency.
Nasal Irrigation
Nasal irrigation is done by pouring a solution in one nostril so that it drains from the other one. It’s done with something called a neti pot using saline solution or sterile water. You can also buy a navage device that creates suction and pushes the water from one nostril to the other. Nasal irrigation can be done several times a day to relieve congestion. This treatment is not for everyone, but those who do it regularly swear by it for clearing things out during allergy season.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C has a reputation for being able to fight off a cold. Since both allergies and colds are caused by the immune system, the idea behind taking it to prevent or lessen allergies has been the topic of some research. Studies of vitamin C have shown that it can improve itching, runny nose, and other symptoms when given by IV at high doses. Most of us don’t have an IV drip to access at home and there are mixed results about whether taking vitamin C orally has an effect on allergy symptoms.
Honey
Honey is a delicious sweetener that has been shown to have benefits for the immune system. Some studies suggest that honey may reduce inflammation which can relax the airway, making it easier to breathe. Another study tested a nasal spray that contained honey and found that when combined with antihistamines, it can be effective at treating allergy symptoms better than taking the medications on their own.
A word of caution: if you have an allergy to bees or bee stings, you will want to avoid honey or any products that contain it.
Quercetin
Quercetin is an antioxidant that reduces inflammation. It is chemically related to an existing anti-allergy drug cromolyn sodium, known under the brand name Nasalcrom. Quercetin can be taken as a supplement or is found naturally in foods such as apples (with the skin on), berries, red grapes, red onions, capers, and black tea.
Quercetin shows a lot of potential as a treatment for allergies and asthma. One study has shown that it helps restrict the release of histamine and can also limit the formation of the antibodies that cause allergic responses.
Does Acupuncture Work for Allergies?
If you look up “natural remedies for allergies” you’ll almost always see acupuncture as an option. And with good reason! Many studies have shown that it has the ability to reduce symptoms. One review in 2015 shows how more than 2300 people who received acupuncture for allergies had fewer symptoms than those who didn’t. They were able to take less medication and reported a better quality of life as well.
A more recent study from 2023 divided 105 people into a treatment group and a control group. Those in the treatment group had fewer and less severe allergy symptoms and reported a better quality of life than those who received acupuncture.
An interesting thing to note is that some of the studies used “sham acupuncture.” This is when patients receive acupuncture, but the needles are inserted into parts of the body that have no effect on anything. When sham acupuncture was done, subjects usually reported that the treatment did not work for them. This is evidence that certain areas really do have an effect on the body.
So how exactly does acupuncture treat allergies? Tiny needles are inserted into areas of the body that target the lungs, colon, stomach, and spleen. These areas are called meridians and according to traditional Chinese medicine, they create defensive qi, which is a type of energy for immunity.
Ariel, the Acupuncturist at Water House Wellness, says she has successfully treated a lot of patients, “I can treat sinus congestion, headaches, fatigue, red/dry/watery/itchy eyes, and a scratchy throat. To do this, I use points mostly on the limbs, ears and face. I can also offer some herbal formulas and supplements that may help.”
Western medicine is taking note. In fact, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation has encouraged doctors to recommend acupuncture for people who are looking for treatments that don’t involve drugs.
Try a Radiance Release Facial Massage
A unique facial and upper body massage offered through Water House Wellness may also have benefits for people who suffer from allergies. Master Massage Therapist Sarah has developed this method that is a combination of massage therapy and traditional Chinese medicine. She uses a gua sha tool and miniature cups to move lymphatic fluid. This can release tension and help to clear the sinuses.
We’ve written a full article about this treatment and how it works.
A Sauna May Help Allergies
The health benefits of regular sauna sessions are starting to create some buzz as a simple but effective way to treat certain issues. The warm environment combined with sweating, creates a setting that can be beneficial for various health concerns, including allergies.
When in a sauna, your blood vessels dilate and that increases blood flow. This change can have positive effects on the respiratory system. This helps to clear nasal passages, reduce inflammation, detoxify, and relieve stress.
Water House Wellness can help make recommendations and will follow safety precautions for anyone who wants to see if the infrared sauna will work for them.
Try a New Allergy Treatment Today
If you’re interested in looking into a different treatment for those nagging allergy symptoms, Water House Wellness can help! Call us at (339) 707-047 or send a text to (781) 590-3519 and we’d be happy to make recommendations. You can also book online directly.
