Tips and tricks for allergies
 

Damn... Today my allergies struck. It wasn't unexpected since it's always around the first week in june. Knowing this I took my allergy-shot a couple of days ago. I have pills and I'm on them right now but it's just not enogh. My nose runs and my eyes itch. This will fuck up my training program and make my life hell a couple of weeks.

I just want to know how you take care og your allergies. Post your tips and tricks here.

You didn't say what kind of pills you are taking- I'm assuming a nonsedating antihistamine like Claritin. Next step is taking meds for specific problems. For runny nose a nasally inhaled steroid like Nasonex, nasaral, flonase, etc is excellent and very safe. For eyes, a good antihistamine/anti inflammatory drop works well. These are prescription products here in the U.S., but they work much better that over the counter herbs and remedies

When my eyes get itchy I find the worst thing to do is scratch them, it only seems to make them itchier, try to ignore it until the itchiness goes away, it's very hard to do, but it works for me. I'll put a cool damp cloth over my eyes if I can. Try switching whatever brand of pills you're using (if they're over the counter) I've heard that you can develop an immunity to antihistamines if you keep using the same brand.

I have pretty severe seasonal allergies too. I just waited it out last summer. This year, it seems less severe...Allegra/Claritin does it for me.
If you really find that its messing up your life, ask your doctor to prescribe you a nasal spray and eye drops.

I've found the perfect cure for it, I've gotten myself good and wasted and honestly I cant feel them at all. I think that this will be a problem to keep the wastedness up for the duration of two weeks soo keep the t&t comming. And I'll get back to you when I'm in a better/sober state. Thanks for the tips so far.

:grumpy: I always used to safeguard myself and was determined that I would never let the problems of allergy surface in me, but the inevitable happened to the greatest of my surprise, and now am looking for a remedy for the same. So far I am rather disappointed to hear about the rate of success from the problem, dont know if I can ever be normal again.

Apple cider vinegar. The cure is almost worse than the disease, but it works. As someone who has severe allergies almost year round, it's something I have to use. I'm immune to Allegra, Claritin, and Zyrtec. Allegra works, but it also has dangerously drowsy side effects.

I suggest you find a decent recipe to deliver the vinegar. I find it works best in chutneys and marinades. You can also find cider vinegar in some picked products. Don't try to drink it straight unless you have a tolerance.

I'd totally forgotten about allergies this winter. Cottonwoods kick my ass when they start dropping their white snowy looking seeds. I talked to my doctor (finally have a doctor) about this, and she did not want to prescribe me anything until closer to the season. I should call her soon before it's bad.

I can't stand Claritin, I have to take it day after day (don't like taking meds to begin with), it doesn't really kick in until 4-5 days into taking it, and it makes me feel out of place. Not sure how to describe it exactly.

I'm not a big fan of Allegra, or the other antihistamines I haven't found one that does not put me in a funk and requires taking days, or weeks before your allergies strike.

Until I find a better solution (hopefully my doc will help me) I generally stick with washing my hands constantly when my allergies are acting up, using nasonex, or an equivalent, and rinsing my eyes really well in the shower. If they are really bad, I do what I have to do for the day, go home and dose on NyQuil and pass out (same solution I have for a cold).

I've used both Flonase and Zyrtec and have had success with my seasonal allergies on both. But I have a hard time taking pills day after day, and justifying the cost of prescription medications, so then I usually result to Benadryl. Benadryl is a proven method, and I seem to have been taking it so long that it no longer makes me drowsy. Doxylamine succinate (Unisom) is another OTC antihistamine, and I take that for sleeping anyways on occassion. I have noticed that it helps--both with allergies and with sleeping.

As a side note, I carry Benadryl with me everywhere in summer--I'm allergic to bees too, and the Benadryl works like a charm.

Benadryl is amazing stuff. It works for everything from beestings to poison oak. When all else fails, use it.

BTW, if you use the same medicine all the time, it loses effectiveness. If your Claritin stops working for you, you might need to use something else for a few years.

What do I use? Air purifiers w/ HEPA filters. I have two in my house.

Ah, good, good. I forgot to mention in my post that I have one of those Ionic Breeze things. Clavus speaks the truth. They help.

Find a good, raw, LOCAL (most important part..) honey. It works.

Comb honey is best.

I have an air filter (approved for removing allergens) that plugs into the mains. Sucks out loads of stuff, needs a hoover at least twice a week. Thats great for inside, but outside still get asskicked.

I've found that my allergies are a lot less of an issue if I keep really well hydrated,

I just got a new specialist for my allergies and asthma last year who is actually not that hyped on shot therapy.

He took me off the shots my old allergist had me on, switched around my meds and I am better than I have been in years, this coming from a guy who's allergies are cats, dust, grass and trees (I have a cat, I work at a newspaper, and I play sports so I pretty much am screwed)

I currently am on Nasonex, Asmanex, and he told me I could stop taking my Allegra-D at my own discretion and I have not taken it for about 3 months and I feel great.

I noticed my allergies have been nearly non-existent for a while now. I didn't question it in fear that I might jinx it. Then I read somewhere that Vitamin C can help reduce allergies. I have been taking at least 500mg of Vitamin C a day and have been doing so for over a year now. I do this to reduce the impact of stressors such as city pollution and working out. It is entirely possible that the Vitamin C did the trick, but I can't say I know for sure.

That is just my luck. Most promising suggestion is Benadryl and that is just about the only allergy drug I can't take.

Apple cider vinegar. Seriously.

Apple Cider Vinegar is Great for Allergies, but...
 

I would highly disapprove of drinking it straight altogether. Vinegar is highly acidic, and the result of ingesting it regularly, without any dilution, can easily erode tooth enamel, bring about sensitive teeth and gums, tear away the lining of the esophagus, etc.

What I would suggest is aptly dilute a tabblespoon of apple cider vinegar in 8 oz. of water. It will still be very acidic, but here comes the kicker... you should also add another tablespoon of baking soda to the solution. Wait a few minutes, and then because of the baking soda's properties to neutralize particles, the drink should be at or around basic. Then all you have to do is drink up, or use it as a starter to make tea/coffee, for it is now basic and will not harm your insides in anyway.

And I disagree with you. Diluting is good but I am of the opinon that its actully better for the body to be a little acidic. We are talking about no more then a tablespoon right? Maybe I am a fool for the homopathetic but so far I really believe the best advice on this has been apple cider vinegar, honey and staying hydrated. I would like to challenge someone on this forum with bad allergies to try those with out other aid and see what it does. I would imagine it would not only help the allergies alot but also their overall health.

I have procured my local honey and apple cider vinegar. Here is a recipe for you. 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of local honey, in about 8 ounces of warm water. (to liquify the honey) After 2 days of this concoction I have not had to use any other sinus or allergy medication.
Thanks WR & BB

I'm trying:
1.5 cups boiling water
1 tbs ACV
2 tbs local honey (I think I'll add more next time)
a few drops of lemon juice

It's not horrible. Not something I'd drink for fun, mind you, but the lemon's acidity distracts me from what I think tastes like rotting fruit in ACV (ACV = the worst smell I've ever encountered, personally). So for next time, I'll be adding more honey, and a some tea, too. Maybe a little less ACV, too.

ACV or allergies? Rock and a hard place...

Edit: found an amazing new way to have a stomach ache.

Eat your local honey daily.