The number of allergens are many and knowing what triggers your allergies can get complicated. The common triggers that are known to trigger allergic rhinitis are:

Moulds
Fungi
Pollen, the most common cause for allergies
Dust mites, and the faeces of dust mites that can cause severe allergic reactions
Cockroaches
Animal dander, which includes cat hair, dog fur, and may also include little flakes of skin
Avoiding the above mentioned triggers is more of a general guideline for the management of allergies. The lifestyle changes that you make to manage allergies:

Keep yourself hydrated at all times. Drink about eight to ten glasses of water every day. This will allow the mucous to be expelled with ease, if you experience any nose block.
During seasons like spring, when the amount of pollen in the air is at its maximum, limit your exposure. Try to stay indoors to avoid exposure to pollen or dust in the air.
Make it a point to take a shower before going to sleep as the residues of pollen and dust stuck to your skin are likely to make your symptoms worse.
Use fresh bedding and clothes every day. This will help to reduce your exposure to allergens.
Remove your carpets. Carpets are home to dust mites and pollen grains which become difficult to remove even with vacuum cleaners. Remove the carpets during the allergy season, and replace with hard flooring.
Keep windows and doors shut to avoid dust and pollen grains from entering the house and possibly causing allergies.
Avoid staying around pets. It that is not possible, then wash them at least once a week to reduce allergies.
Prevent inhaling cigarette smoke or smoking cigarettes. The smoke can be very harmful and can increase the risk of asthma in kids.
Avoid outdoor trips during seasons when the pollen count is high.

Allergies - Lifestyle Changes That Can Help Manage it!

In reality, dust allergy is precipitated by dust mites, a kind of microorganisms that thrive in dust. They acquire their food from dead skin cells and absorb water from the environment and thrive. Moist and warm environments are ideal for them to thrive. However, they themselves don t cause allergic symptoms. 

It is the response of the immune system to them that precipitates the symptoms. Once they are inside the human respiratory system, the immune system responds to them in a negative way. This leads to the production of histamines, a kind of protein that abates swelling, cough, mucous production, runny nose, sneezing, etc.

Symptoms of Dust Allergy:

Dust allergies may lead to various symptoms, some of which may be short lived, while others may be chronic. Some of these symptoms may also be life threatening. While in general people may suffer from running nose, stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, postnasal drip, swollen skin under the eyes, etc., in severe cases, people may also suffer from asthma, chest pain and tightness, trouble in sleeping due to shortness of breath, bouts of severe cough, sinus infection, etc.

Risk Factors:

Some of the common risk factors are: 

Family History: People who have a family history of dust allergy are most susceptible to this problem. These people develop a sensitivity to dust mites.

Exposure: Exposure to dust mites is the main cause of dust allergy. If someone is exposed to dust mites for a long time, it enhances the risk of allergy symptoms.

Being a Child: Children are more susceptible to it than adults. They are more likely to develop allergies during childhood and early adulthood compared to adults.

Diagnosis:

Most dust allergy symptoms are similar to common cough and cold symptoms. This is why it is necessary to confirm that the symptoms owe their origin to dust allergy. As a primary physical examination, the doctor may examine the lining of nasal passage to see if it is swollen.

In case the person is allergic to dust or pollen, the lining of the nasal passage is likely to become inflamed. However, the doctor also needs to conduct some tests. He may conduct skin tests and blood tests to confirm the allergy. If the allergy is confirmed, the doctor goes for treatment.

Treatment:

There are a number of treatment options for dust allergy. Some of these may act as over-the-counter to counter the effects of dust allergy, while others may act as modulators to modulate the immune response.

Antihistamines: These are medicines that counter histamines responsible for allergic reactions like itching, runny nose, sneezing, etc.

Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids are usually delivered through nasal sprays to bring down inflammation and control the allergic response of the immune system.

Decongestants: They help to decongest nasal airways which get inflamed and swell up due to allergic reactions.

Leukotriene Modifiers: These medicines block certain immune system chemicals responsible for allergic reactions and prevent allergic reactions.

Immunotherapy: The doctor may go for immunotherapy if no other effort is yielding any results. This therapy trains the immune system so that it does not become sensitive to dust mites. It is delivered via injections.

Conclusion:

The primary defense against dust allergy is avoiding breathing in dust. However, if a person is already exposed to them, there are a number of medicines and treatment options to prevent a flare up.

Dust Allergy - Risks, Diagnosis & Treatment Of It!

An estimated 10 to 30 percent of people across the world suffer from Allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever, is a condition wherein the immune system overly responds to allergens resulting in inflammation in the nose. As you might be aware, an allergen is typically a harmless substance present in the surroundings causing an uncomfortable allergic reaction.

Following is a detailed account of the condition.

Symptoms-
Some of the most common symptoms of allergic rhinitis include,

Sneezing
Stuffy and runny nose
Persistent coughing
Itchy and watery eyes
Sore throat
Frequent headaches
Dark circles under the eyes
And, symptoms associated with eczema
Further, it also results in hives and excessive fatigue. An allergic person is likely to feel many of these symptoms within a few minutes of coming into contact with an allergen. Some symptoms, such as recurrent fatigue and headaches can only happen when there is long-term exposure to allergens. There are some people, who rarely undergo any signs, and this happens when a person is exposed to the allergens in massive quantities.

Causes of Allergic Rhinitis:
When the body comes in contact with the allergen, it triggers the release of histamine which is a natural chemical that defends the body from the allergen. This histamine can lead to allergic rhinitis and the associated symptoms which may range from a blocked or a runny nose to itchy eyes. Common allergens include pollen, dust mites, animal dander, grass pollen, and mold.

There are two variants of allergic rhinitis- seasonal and perennial.

Seasonal- Seasonal allergies usually occur during specific seasons owing to the response to outdoor allergens. For example, during a specific time in the year such as spring, the pollen can cause allergies in a person. Also, when trees and flowers release pollens during the fall and summer, seasonal allergic rhinitis can be seen on the rise.
Perennial- On the other hand, perennial allergens tend to linger all-round the year, and pet dander, mold or dust mites come under perennial allergic rhinitis causing allergens.
Diagnosing and treating allergic rhinitis-
When a person is suffering from minor allergies, a physical exam may be required. But a doctor may also perform some tests for identifying the best course of treatment as well as prevention plan for a particular patient. A skin prick test is one of the best ways to determine whether you have allergic rhinitis.

This health issue can be treated in a variety of ways which range from home remedies to medications to alternative therapies. Common medications include antihistamines, decongestants and nasal sprays and eye drops.

Staying away from a known allergen is the best possible way to prevent allergic rhinitis. When diagnosed, it is necessary to consult your doctor as the condition may sometimes lead to complications.

Allergic Rhinitis - Everything That You Ought To Know

A runny nose, Itchy rash, red eyes and shortness in breath are the most common allergic phenomenon which annoys you in frequent intervals, generally driven by several conditions due to hypersensitivity of the immune system towards something usual prevailing in the environment which may not cause any threat to others. It is why you may find different person allergic to different foods or different conditions. 

Diseases such as asthma, anaphylaxis, atopic dermatitis and so on are commonly considered as predominant allergic diseases. But most of the marketed drugs you take are as exasperating as the allergy itself, firstly due to its expensiveness and secondly, it droops you out. Though you may not be able to diminish the pollen in the air, but you can restrict the number of drugs you take by choosing natural remedies as it has been propounded by the medical editor of WebMD Dr Brunilda Nazario. He has also stated that the biggest trend we observe in allergies in these days is not found in any technological innovation or development rather it is the tendency of the common people to go for natural treatment to cure allergy.

 Prevention is better than cure - Cleanse your nose daily before the allergy strikes
According to most of the doctors, nowadays you are commonly encountered by seasonal allergies. It is mainly due to the fact that allergy season seems to appear earlier every year than the previous one. So as Nathanael Horne, MD of New York Medical College advises that you should begin treating allergies before it starts to pose threat. One such step is to spritz a saline cleanse into your nose on a daily basis in order to wash away pollen. Obviously, this particular method would not replace your need for medication but it would certainly minimise your dependence on drugs. In one survey, those who clean their nose twice a day with saline water are reported less nasal congestion than others.

About some of the seful natural herbs which fight allergy
Famous allergist from New York, Dr Tim Mainardi is of opinion that natural herbs are comparatively more effective than any other drugs and among them, one of the scientifically proven fighters of allergy you have, is Green tea because it is a natural antihistamine. According to his suggestion, if anybody starts to take two cups of green tea a day about two weeks before the arrival of the allergy season, it is likely to resist allergic infection. Mainardi also says that there is an another natural herb called butterbur, which effectively fights allergy as well as antihistamines. Apart from this Liquorice root is also a good choice because it helps to helps to raise the level of naturally produced steroid in your body and ameliorate immunity system.

Cook with turmeric to get rid of allergy:
If you taste every Indian dishe, you would get one spice common in all of them and that is Turmeric. Bharat Aggarwal, an Indian allergist expert from Houston considers Turmeric more efficacious than any other drugs in certain conditions as it contains Curcumin. It is why Turmeric may act as a decongestant. Though in the end, it should be mention that before you go with the natural treatment you should consult your doctor because these natural treatments would incorporate various alterations in your diet and medication.

Allergy - Top Natural Cures You Can Opt For!

Breathing is inhalation and exhalation, where oxygen is inhaled into and carbon dioxide is released from the body. Air passes through the nose, which has fine hair and mucus to filter out suspended particles in the air like pollen. When the person s immunity is weakened or is highly reactive, the mucosa reacts to many substances which are generally present. This is known as allergic rhinitis.

Types: Depending on the occurrence, it can be:

Seasonal: For instance, in spring when there is too much pollen in the air; known as hay fever. This is an acute rhinitis and subsides with a change in weather.
Chronic: This is when the body reacts to some normal substances like eggs, animal dander, extreme cold, dust, mites, etc. via an allergic reaction.
Causes of allergic rhinitis as per Ayurveda

Mandagni   low digestion strength
Kapha vruddhi   increase of Kapha dosha
Allergens   external factors such as pollen, dust etc
Residing with pet animals
Exposure to humidity, dust, cold
Virudh aahara   wrong food combinations
Long term intake of drugs like aspirin, leading to depleted immunity and making the person prone to dust allergies.
Symptoms:

Runny nose for prolonged periods of time
Chronic congestion
Persistent sneezing
Teary eyes
Fever and headache
Ayurveda believes that this is due to excessive kapha dosha. So, in order to manage allergic rhinitis, two approaches should be taken. Foods which increase kapha should be avoided, and elimination of kapha from the body should be targeted.

Non-medical ways to combat allergic rhinitis: 

Prevention has a big role to play in managing allergic rhinitis.

Whether it is animal dander, eggs, tomatoes, or extreme cold, if you know it could cause an attack, stay away from it.
Chew foods properly to ensure through absorption of vitamins and minerals, which are essential for immunity
Boil water with a spoonful of turmeric and a pinch of salt and drink it regularly
Basil and mint leaves can be boiled in water and consumed for improving allergic rhinitis
Clove and pepper can be chewed to get immediate relief
A mixture of crushed clove and pepper mixed with turmeric and honey works wonders for allergic rhinitis
Eat seasonal fruits and vegetables. They are more likely to be chemical-free, are cheaper, fresher, and definitely more nutritious.
Carrots eaten with a bit of fat produce the best defense against allergic rhinitis, as the beta-carotene in it is fat soluble.
Whole grains, green leafy vegetables, seasonal fruits and vegetables, and dairy products, contain a number of vitamins and minerals which help in fighting allergic rhinitis
Ayurvedic remedies like shilajit and guduchi boost immunity function
Neem, Ashwagandha, liquorice, cinnamon, tulsi, and curcumin are proven remedies for allergic rhinitis.
Panchakarma specifically aimed at rhinitis include Nasya, Dhoomapana (medicated smoking) and emesis (vaman ). This helps in eliminating kapha which is believed to cause allergic rhinitis.
Though allergic rhinitis is a very common condition, the treatment is also easy and many home remedies help in managing the condition.

Lifestyle improvement:

Always keep cloves and black peppers with you. Immediately keep two pieces of it in mouth when you feel of attack.
At the pre attack or attack rub Nilgiri oil , Mint oil, or pain balm on chest and get fomentation.
Keep watch on the elements that causes irritation for you and stay away from this.
Use mask while driving vehicle or going through public places.
Always take warm water bath.
Do not expose to hot sunrays.
Regularly take inhalation of steam.
Regularly go for morning walk in warm weather.
Do sufficient exercise.
Do not reside in dark or dump places. Get fresh air.
Do not get sleep at day time or immediate after dinner.
Take sufficient rest.

Diet, Nutrition & Ayurveda Treatment For Allergic Rhinitis!

Pollen is a common trigger for seasonal allergies. It may manifest as runny nose, cough, sneezing, stuffy nose, swelling around the eyes, etc. People begin to feel the bite of pollen allergy during spring when pollination in plants begins.

Pollen allergy affects a vast majority of people, and over-the- counter allergy relief medication is big business. However, it must be noted that there is hardly any permanent cure for pollen allergy. Nevertheless, there are ways in which one can get relief from the symptoms.

What Is Pollen and How Does It Cause Allergy:

The microscopic granules contained in flowering plants are known as pollen. While almost all flowering plants have pollen, all of them don t cause allergies. Plants that have bright flowers can hardly trigger allergy symptoms. It is the tiny and dry pollen that comes from trees, weeds, and grasses that precipitate the symptoms. These granules blow in the wind and get into the respiratory system. This precipitates an immune reaction which produces histamines. These are the chemicals that cause sneezing, stuffy nose, itching, runny nose etc.

Pollens can traverse distances of up to about 100 miles from the source. Since different varieties of plants, trees and weeds pollinate at different times, the season of pollen allergy is quite an extended one. It calls for precautions to prevent allergies and medicines and means to counter the effects.

Pollen Allergy Relief:

Allergy medicines are the best way to get relief from allergy symptoms. Doctors suggest starting on these medicines even before the onset of pollination season. These medicines are known as Antihistamines, which counter the effects of pollen.

These medicines block the histamine receptors in the ear-nose-throat region and thereby nullify the effects of pollen. If a person continues to take antihistamines throughout the pollination season, he/she deny the histamines a chance to get attached to the receptors and precipitate symptoms.

However, if a person is already suffering from the symptoms, antihistamines will not be able to quickly stop the problem. It will also not be able to reverse the effects of allergies. However, it can surely prevent exacerbation of symptoms.

Doctors also suggest using nasal corticosteroids for at least two weeks before pollination season so that the symptoms can be kept at bay. They work by modulating the response of the immune system and thereby preventing the release of chemicals that trigger allergies. If people take these medicines before exposure to pollen, they may even stabilize the immune system and prevent it from reacting to pollen.

Quick Allergy Relief:

If a person has not been proactive enough to take allergy medicines before the onset of pollination season, one needs to fight out the symptoms. However, there are some home remedies that can help a person put up a good fight with the irritating symptoms. One can do regular nasal irrigation with saline water several times a day throughout the pollination season to get some relief from allergies.

Conclusion:

There is hardly any perfect treatment for pollen allergy. However, one can stay safe with antihistamines or corticosteroids starting before exposure to pollen. In case a person gets attacked by these pollen allergies, seeking an immediate help is always advisable and recommended. Following the preventing instructions will help a person to fight against these allergies.

Pollen Allergy - How To Get Relief From It?

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