Prevention's Quick Fix: 5 Home remedies for allergies

The Editors of Prevention

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% 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 triggers, like pollen, or irritants 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.

Find the perfect home remedies for dozens of everyday ailments!

1) Crank up the water heater
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 doesn't get 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.


2) Try an 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-it's listed on the package.

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3) Pop some butterbur
Swiss researchers found that taking one tablet of the herb butterbur 3 times a day alleviated allergy symptoms just as well as popular antihistamines, without causing drowsiness. Herbs can sometimes interfere with other drugs or cause problems in pregnancy, so talk with your doctor before taking them.

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4) Invest in a dehumidifier
Keep your home cool and dry to decrease mold and dust mite growth and roach intrusions. One study found that levels of dust mites and other allergens dropped significantly in homes where the relative humidity was lower than 50%. To maintain this level, you may need to run your air conditioner along with a dehumidifier. Just remember to empty the water often and clean the unit regularly, according to the manufacturer's instructions, to prevent mold growth.

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5) Buy some bleach
Use this cleaning staple to kill mold in humid areas. Wipe down the surfaces in your bathroom as needed. You can clean floors, vinyl, tile, and sinks with a solution of 3/4 cup of bleach per gallon of water. Let it stand for 5 minutes, then rinse. (For tough locations, like a basement, you'll want something stronger, like a fungicide).

Have you ever tried a natural allergy cure?

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