Remedies for Allergies

Seasonal allergy (hay fever, pollinosis) – excessive (damaging own tissues) reaction of the immune system to plant pollen. Usually it occurs in spring-summer, a little less often in autumn. During these periods of the year, shrubs, trees and grasses bloom, pollinated by the wind. Microscopic pollen, which is carried by the wind, falls on the skin and mucous membranes of allergic man, and provokes inflammatory reactions, followed by unpleasant symptoms.
What kind of allergic reactions do you have?
Depending on the location (“localization”) of the inflammatory process, reactions are divided into several types:
- Skin form (allergodermatitis);
- Respiratory form (allergorinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, bronchitis and bronchial asthma);
- Ophthalmological manifestations (conjunctivitis, blepharitis, keratitis).
In some cases, against the background of pollinosis there are also cross forms of food allergy with the development of gastrointestinal symptoms. For example, birch pollen allergy causes allergies to hazelnuts, apples, peaches and carrots; sorrel allergies to cereals; wormwood allergies to citrus fruits, sunflower seeds and honey. In such cases there are symptoms of allergic gastritis – stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea.
Symptoms of seasonal allergies.
In the mucous membrane of the mouth and nose there are macrophages – immune cells, which are activated when the pathogen (pollen) gets on them and trigger an immune reaction, leading to inflammation. The manifestations of pollinosis significantly differ depending on the age, type of reaction and severity, duration of the pathology.
- In the skin form – redness, itching, swelling, blisters or blisters in certain parts of the skin, dermatitis, itchy skin rashes (“hives”).
- In the ophthalmic form – red eyes, sensitivity to light, itching and burning, tearfulness, puffiness.
- In respiratory form – nasal congestion and a strong runny nose with the release of clear liquid mucus, coughing or perching in the throat, difficulty exhaling, dry cough, prolonged sneezing, mucus dripping down the back of the throat (“postnazal congestion”), suffocation, “wheezing” in the chest.
In case of inactivity, allergic reactions may increase and cause more dangerous symptoms – maxillary sinus inflammation, eustachiitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis. In addition, signs of general malaise begin to appear: drowsiness, weakness, loss of efficiency, rapid fatigue, headaches, insomnia, sweating, fever.
What causes seasonal allergies?
The most common allergen is pollen from wind-pollinated plants, small particles that can easily enter the airway:
- Trees (second half of spring) – maple, oak, alder, birch, linden, poplar, hazel;
- Cereals (late spring – early summer) – oats, barley, rye, wheat, fork, wheatgrass, wheatgrass, thymoth, hedgehog, ryegrass;
- Weeds (late summer – early autumn) – swans, ragweed, wormwood.
There is a myth in our culture that in late spring allergy is caused by poplar fluff, but this is not quite true. Fluff is not pollen, it’s a filler. Besides, its size prevents it from entering the airway. However, it is still a serious allergy hazard: When moist, pollen captures and carries pollen from other plants.
It is allergic to dust. Treatment with folk remedies or a visit to the hospital?
Despite the fact that we are used to considering allergies to be quite everyday and common, the danger to the body should not be underestimated. When the first symptoms (allergic reactions) occur, you should see a doctor rather than prescribe treatment yourself (including instructions from the internet).
The best and safest solution is always a visit to the hospital, with the help of professionals who will prescribe you an examination, help to identify the allergen and prescribe comprehensive treatment with the help of medication prescribed individually. Usually these are local (eye and nose drops, sprays and solutions for the nasopharynx, gels and creams for the skin) and systemic antihistamine drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and hormonal (corticosteroid) drugs.
But before we move on to “home” recipes and recommendations, let’s define the conditions in which folk medicine is powerless:
- Quinke Swelling (Giant Hives) – massive swelling of the skin, mucous membranes and subcutaneous fatty tissue;
- Anaphylactic shock – an acute allergic reaction of immediate type that occurs when a patient comes into contact with an allergen;
- Bronchial asthma – respiratory disease accompanied by bronchospasms.
Each of these extremely dangerous conditions requires urgent professional medical care. Do not self-medicate and do not even wonder how to get rid of allergies at home – go straight to the hospital.

Allergic rhinitis. Folk therapy and recommendations.
If we are talking specifically about pollen allergy, the most popular and effective folk remedies are rinsing procedures (throat and nasopharynx) to help reduce the amount of mucus. Warm salt solution (half a teaspoon per glass of water) or just warm boiled water is often enough. The solution is injected into the nose using a disposable syringe (with the needle removed, of course) or a special teapot (“neti”) or soft bottle. It is very important to keep the containers clean and boil them regularly.
Allergic dermatitis. How do I relieve itching allergies at home?
The easiest and free remedy for allergic dermatitis is a cold shower, which narrows blood vessels and reduces the amount of allergen released through pores. In addition, a cool shower reduces the itching. Yes, not everyone is ready for such procedures – if it is difficult for you to take a cold shower several times a day, you can simply apply cold compresses to an inflamed area. Just take a clean towel, cold water soaked or a plastic bag filled with ice cubes.
Allergic conjunctivitis. Folk remedies and recipes.
In addition to drugs, with inflammation of the mucous membrane around the eyes are well cope with cold compresses. Soak a clean towel with ice water or put teaspoons in the freezer and apply to the eyes. The already mentioned aloe extract can handle the conjunctival inflammation quite well. Soak a clean tampon, cotton pad, or a piece of gauze with the juice and apply (as a compress) to the eyes and leave for five to ten minutes.
Home hygiene for allergic people.
Allergy attacks can be significantly reduced by simple daily guidelines that are worth following for allergy sufferers.
Here are some of them:
- Get your house cleaned up thoroughly and wet at regular intervals. Wipe, vacuum at high power, wipe all surfaces.
- Use dust covers for pillowcases, mattresses and upholstered furniture. It’s easier to wash them regularly;
- Wash soft toys regularly if you have children in your home;
- Use bed linen (blankets and pillows) with a synthetic filler rather than a feather;
- If possible, put dehumidifiers in the bathroom and kitchen; if mildew is present, remove it with special chemicals;
- Keep the temperature at home slightly cool – 20-22 degrees;
- Use air purifiers.
In addition, it will be useful for allergy sufferers to introduce a few simple habits into their daily lives: rinse their throats more often when they come home from the street (with herbal infusions or boiled water), change their clothes more often and take a shower at least once a day, or better, several times a day. Ventilate all rooms in the house regularly.