The Cure: The effects of an allergy remedy

If you suspect you have allergies, your family physician may refer you to an allergist to find out what triggers your allergic reactions. The allergist will perform a number of tests and ask you several questions about your symptoms. Once the allergy-causing substance or allergen is identified, your allergy remedy may be a self-care treatment or use of medications depending on the nature of the problem.

The best allergy remedy is avoidance, which means avoiding the substance causing your allergic reaction. By avoiding the allergen you may not have a need for medication. Be careful to keep in mind that avoiding foods such as peanuts means avoiding all products containing peanuts or peanut oils.

As an effective allergy remedy against airborne allergens, these simple steps can be taken: bathe your pets regularly and keep them away from your furniture, avoid using carpets as they collect too much dust, cover pillows and mattresses to avoid dust mites, wash bedding in hot water, refrain from hanging heavy drapes that allow dust to gather,
keep the windows shut during pollen season, avoid mowing the lawn if you are allergic to grass, and wash shower curtains and bathroom tiles often to eliminate mold.

Apart from such self-care methods, the other type of allergy remedy is use of medications. This treatment may come in the form of pills, nasal sprays, or shots. There are some over the counter medications as well that can effectively treat allergies. You will have to consult your allergist to know which medications are right for you.

Even if the very thought of receiving shots may not attract you, they can be very effective in treating your allergies.

Shots may not cure your allergy but can help raise your body's tolerance to the allergen. The tiny amount of the allergen injected into your body changes your immunity to these allergens. Later, this allergy remedy helps to check the reaction triggered by these substances.

Drug treatments as allergy remedy include antihistamines, decongestants, anti-inflammatory medications, such as steroid nasal sprays, cromolyn nasal sprays, systemic steroids, and leukotriene inhibitors, and anticholingergics. Your allergist may recommend for you, either one, or a combination of these medications.

If you are looking for a natural allergy remedy, there are many which have also proved to be highly effective: nettles, marshmallow, acerola cherry, cayenne, and ginger. Some foods like leeks, green onions, dark green leaves, radish, beans, seaweeds, potatoes, and sweet potatoes are good for treating or preventing allergies. What you should avoid include junk foods, instant foods (frozen foods), soda, and alcohol.