But before you reach for any number of expensive over-the-counter or prescription remedies, you might want to try a cheap alternative treatment that seems to work for many: nasal irrigation, or washing out your nose once or twice daily with warm salt water.
Pharmaceutical companies, with their singular focus on complex solutions to provide relief at some sub-cellular, protein-binding, DNA-fragmenting, antigen-blocking level, have produced a variety of antihistamines, decongestants and corticosteroids to alleviate symptoms. Some of these drugs come with side effects, though, such as a perpetual drowsiness to sedate you until next winter, or worse, they rob you of the pleasure of operating a forklift.
Nasal irrigation simply washes away the irritants causing the allergy symptoms.
Spring marks the beginning of pollen season, and the same yellowish dust that coats your car also fills your nasal passages, causing enough irritation to trigger an allergic reaction. Nasal irrigation simply washes away the irritants causing the allergy symptoms.
Many medical institutions, such as the Mayo Clinic, advocate the use of nasal irrigation. The most recent study appeared in January 2009, with the 200 patients in the study reporting some relief of symptoms from twice daily irrigations.
To try it, you can invest two dollars in a bulb syringe. or you can buy a neti pot, which looks like a little oil lamp.
[Source]
Chapter: Allergies :: 28 May 2009
