Home Remedies for Allergies

March 24, 2011— -- Allergies are the result of an immune system run amok; they develop when your body overreacts to a normally harmless substance, such as pollen, cat dander, or dust. About 20 percent of Americans are plagued by allergies. The hallmark symptoms include sneezing, coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, itchy eyes, hives, and rashes.

For allergies to things like foods and medications, avoidance is your only option. But for allergies to seasonal things, like pollen, or those in your home, like dust mites, there's a lot you can do to minimize the misery. Here, the best home remedies to soothe allergies and allergy symptoms.

When To Call A Doctor

If you have a known allergy and notice any of the following symptoms, you should see your doctor:

Hot Water For Laundry

Wash your bedding weekly in water that's at least 130°F to keep dust mites in check. These bugs also live in clothes and carpeting, but their highest concentrations are in beds. If you wash with cold or warm water, you're just giving them a nice swim, and the dryer alone isn't hot enough to kill all of them. If you're concerned about potential burns and scalds from setting your water heater so high, splurge on taking your bedding to a professional laundry service.

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More from Prevention:

Butterbur

Swiss researchers found that one tablet of the herb butterbur 3 times a day worked just as well as popular antihistamines at alleviating allergy symptoms without causing drowsiness. Herbs can sometimes interfere with other drugs or cause problems in pregnancy, though, so talk with your doctor before taking them. Expert: Woodson Merrell, MD, an assistant clinical professor of medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

Air Filter

Keeping the air clean in your home can bring relief from pollen, mold, and pet dander. HEPA (high-energy particulate arresting) filters are most efficient. This kind of filter has been shown to remove 99% of airborne particles without producing harmful by-products. They're ideal for bedrooms and living rooms, but skip plug-in or desktop models, which aren't powerful enough to make a difference, even in tiny rooms. When buying larger units, note the square footage a purifier can treat, listed on the package. Expert: Hugh Windom, MD, an associate clinical professor of allergy and immunology at the University of South Florida

Dehumidifier