Spring means flower buds and blooming trees — and if you're one of the millions of people who have seasonal allergies, it also means sneezing, congestion, a runny nose and other bothersome symptoms. Seasonal allergies — also called hay fever and allergic rhinitis — can make you miserable. But before you settle for plastic flowers and artificial turf, try these simple strategies to keep seasonal allergies under control. Show
Reduce your exposure to allergy triggersTo reduce your exposure to the things that trigger your allergy signs and symptoms (allergens):
Take extra steps when pollen counts are highSeasonal allergy signs and symptoms can flare up when there's a lot of pollen in the air. These steps can help you reduce your exposure:
Keep indoor air cleanThere's no miracle product that can eliminate all allergens from the air in your home, but these suggestions may help:
Try an over-the-counter remedySeveral types of nonprescription medications can help ease allergy symptoms. They include:
Rinse your sinusesRinsing your nasal passages with saline solution (nasal irrigation) is a quick, inexpensive and effective way to relieve nasal congestion. Rinsing directly flushes out mucus and allergens from your nose. Saline solutions can be purchased ready-made or as kits to add to water. If you use a kit or home-made saline solution, use bottled water to reduce the risk of infection. Homemade solutions should have 1 quart (1 liter) of water, 1.5 teaspoons (7.5 milliliters) of canning salt and 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of baking soda. Rinse the irrigation device after each use with clean water and leave open to air-dry. Alternative treatmentsA number of natural remedies have been used to treat hay fever symptoms. Treatments that may improve symptoms include extracts of the shrub butterbur, spirulina (a type of dried algae) and other herbal remedies. Based on the limited number of well-designed clinical trials, there is not enough evidence to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of these remedies. Results of studies of acupuncture have shown possible limited benefit, but the results of studies have been mixed. Talk to your doctor before trying alternative treatments. When home remedies aren't enoughFor many people, avoiding allergens and taking nonprescription medications is enough to ease symptoms. But if your seasonal allergies are still bothersome, don't give up. A number of other treatments are available. If you have bad seasonal allergies, your health care provider may recommend that you have skin tests or blood tests to find out exactly what allergens trigger your symptoms. Testing can help determine what steps you need to take to avoid your specific triggers and identify which treatments are likely to work best for you. For some people, allergy shots (allergen immunotherapy) can be a good option. Also known as desensitization, this treatment involves regular injections containing tiny amounts of the substances that cause your allergies. Over time, these injections reduce the immune system reaction that causes symptoms. For some allergies, treatment can be given as tablets under the tongue. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health
tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as
protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. April 27, 2022
See more In-depth See also
. How do I stop sneezing from allergies fast?Use your tongue. You may be able to stop a sneeze by tickling the roof of your mouth with your tongue. After about 5 to 10 seconds, the urge to sneeze may dissipate. Another tongue method involves pressing your tongue hard against your two front teeth until the urge to sneeze passes.
How can I stop allergy sneezing naturally?Here are some home remedies that you can use to get rid of allergies that might be causing you to sneeze.. Honey. Eating honey might help with seasonal allergies that might be causing you to sneeze. ... . Turmeric. ... . Black Pepper. ... . Ginger. ... . Using Air Filters. ... . Proper Washing of the Beddings and Sheets. ... . Pet Care. ... . Avoiding Outdoor Exposure.. What helps sneezing go away?Avoid exposure to whatever is causing the allergic reaction.. Change your furnace filters.. Don't have pets in the house if you're allergic to animal dander.. Travel to areas with low pollen counts.. Wash linens in very hot water (at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit) to kill dust mites.. Vacuum and dust frequently.. Why do I sneeze so much with allergies?The immune system mistakes pollen for invading germs. This triggers the release of chemicals like histamine, which alert the brain a sneeze is needed to force the pollen out.
|