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A Guide To Fighting Allergies: From Medications To Home Remedies
by Edward G. Guest BloggerAccording to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, over 50 million Americans suffer from some sort of allergies, making it the 6th leading cause for chronic illnesses in the country.
But what’re allergies, and why are they so prevalent in our society? This blog will help you understand the main types of allergies, common causes, and effective ways to treat the illness.
What are allergies?
Allergies are your body’s reaction to things that might be harmful to it. If you consume something that doesn’t sit right with your body, your immune system tries to combat it, leading to an allergic reaction. These reactions are usually harmless, and if you avoid those substances, you’re good to go. But some allergic reactions lead to anaphylaxis that shocks your body and might lead to death.
Adults, kids, teens are all susceptible to these reactions, and there are a variety of things and substances that might trigger the response. Allergies come in different forms, and it all depends on your body and the substances you’re allergic to.
Types of allergies
There are a few different types of allergic reactions that affect only certain parts of your body, and here are some of them.
Rhinitis or nasal allergies
Allergic rhinitis, also known a hay fever, is an allergic reaction to airborne allergens, like pollen, seasonal grass, dust and particles. These are sometimes seasonal and have the same symptoms as a cold or flu without the involvement of viruses and bacteria.
When you breathe some of these particles, your body’s immune system gets triggered and tries to export them out of your system. You’ll often find yourself with a runny nose and frequent sneezes if you suffer from nasal allergies.
Skin allergies
When your skin comes in contact with an allergen, you’ll notice some bumps, texture, rash, and itchiness around the areas, usually called contact dermatitis. Anything from soap, clothes to makeup can trigger the reaction and leave you with irritated and bumpy skin. The reaction lasts for a few days before your skin starts to get back to normal.
Food allergies
Around 32 million people in the US suffer from food allergies, with substances like milk, wheat, peanuts and fish being some of the most common triggers. If your body doesn’t agree with the particular foods and drinks you consume, you’ll experience digestive issues, hives and swollen airways. Food allergies primarily affect kids, and some even grow out of it as they grow older.
Treatments for allergies
Even though some of these reactions might lead to severe consequences, there are ways to prevent and treat your condition.
Avoiding your triggers
One of the best and most effective ways to prevent any allergic reactions is to avoid the triggers altogether. If you’re able to determine what causes your body to react, avoiding it should be easy.
For pollen allergies, check the weather and climate before you step out, adorn a mask if you need to be out during season changes. Keep your windows closed at all times so no dust and pollen can get through. Vacuum your carpets or get rid of them entirely as they collect a lot of dust and can get infested by mites.
For food allergies, read all the ingredients when you buy new products, and if you’re eating out in a restaurant, ask the waiter about the ingredients and inform them of your allergies. Most cafes and restaurants cater to people with allergies, and they’ll either recommend something safe or cook your food without the allergens.
Install filters and humidifiers
Moisture in the air can worsen your allergies, installing HVAC filters and humidifiers will reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.
Increase your Vitamin C intake
According to MedCare Clinic, vitamin C is a natural form of antihistamine; it protects your cells from any damage, reduces the severity of your allergic reaction, and helps you fight infections. Using vitamin C during allergy season significantly reduces your body’s response to the environment as it decreases the production of histamine in your body.
Wash your body
When you come in contact with an allergen, come home and wash your hands, face and body to reduce the reaction. Put your clothes in the washing machine and change immediately.
Drink warm liquids
If you’re suffering from congestion and your nose won’t stop running, drink some warm liquids like tea, soup and broth to help you feel better. Drinking water will also help your immune system recover as dehydration increases the production of histamine.
Inhale steam
When you suffer from cold and flu, one of the best remedies to unclog all your sinuses and airways is inhaling steam. For nasal allergies, it’s the same; you can run a hot shower and inhale steam or sit with a bowl of hot water to unclog your nose and make breathing easier.
Get a nasal spray
Nasal sprays are a tiny bottle with a spray at the end that you spritz into your nose. They work effectively at relieving congestion, itchy and or runny nose, and sneezing. They also don’t make you drowsy or sleepy, and you can just pump some antihistamine into your system and go about your day.
Keep anti allergies with you
If you can’t seem to find relief or cure for your allergies, keep anti-allergy pills and medication by your side. They provide comfort and reduce the effects of your allergic reaction, making you recover much faster.
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Author’s Bio
The author is a skilled and knowledgeable medical professional with several years of experience in the industry. They’ve partnered up with HealthA2Z to impart their knowledge and teach people about the importance of quality healthcare and medication.