How to Treat Sinus Allergies

As a long-time sufferer from nasal allergies, I've learned a trick or two over the years to alleviate the symptoms.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
   Blooming

   Pay attention to when the symptoms occur so you can identify the cause of your nose problems. If the flowers and trees start blooming and you start sneezing, this is a classic hay fever allergic reaction. In warmer states (think Southern California), if rain and warm temperatures are already underway in mid-winter, pollen can be floating around in February and even January. When September rolls around, you start sneezing as well -- that's fall allergy time with its set of pollen. You mow the lawn, go for a picnic on the grass, receive cut flowers, visit friends with cats, or even eat a chocolate bar... and develop the runny nose -- and even the itchy eyes, ears and throat.

2. Use an air purifier and air conditioning when you can, and keep the windows shut during the day if possible.

3. Try over-the-counter antihistamine -- or (what I use) homeopathic tablets. They are more subtle than traditional allergy medicines and take a little longer to work, but the huge upside is there are no side effects like drowsiness or the jitters.

4. 

   Find an acupuncture who treats allergies -- be it pollen-related or food-related.

5. Do nasal irrigation with saline solution to clean the allergens out.

6. Wash your pillow-cases and sheets in HOT water and dry them in the dryer -- not on the laundry line where more pollen can land on them.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a food journal -- note if your nose runs after you eat something or you feel incredibly tired. These could be symptoms of food allergies.
• Thick nasal discharge (as opposed to the clear, watery kind) can mean a cold or flu. If it lasts for several days and won't go away even when the cold has abated, this can mean a sinus infection. Check with your doctor... and be aware antibiotics may not help. This homemade remedy could: heat up apple cider vinegar and inhale the fumes. Then mix one part apple cider vinegar with one part water and drink a quarter of a cup once a day (does not have to be heated). The reason it works is similar to the reasoning behind treatments for a yeast infection: vinegar's high acid.

Resources

• Nasal irrigation