Alternative allergy remedies?

[OnionPatch]

My husband is suffering from what he believes are allergies. What is he allergic to? He's not sure but thinks for certain dogs, cats, and maybe pollins, dust.....

He uses tons of Afrin nose spray and takes Claritin, etc. Sometimes he says he feels like he can't breath and last night he went to the drugstore and bought some of that primatine mist stuff. He said it helped some but I'm concerned that he's taking all these drugs and chemicals! I would much rather see him at least incorporate some natural remedies for his condition. I'd like to see him eat more healthfully and get more exercise but....One thing we have done is put several air filters around the house. They don't seem to be helping too much, though. We both love animals but our poor dogs have been banished to the outdoors and the garage. I think ripping out this nasty old carpeting will make a world of difference and we plan to do that ASAP.

I was hoping someone here might know enough about alternative medicine to give us some advice or maybe someone here suffers from allergies as well. What do you do about it? I'm clueless. I never had them and as much sympathy as I have for my husband, I'm also getting frustrated: I feel bad for the dogs and all the dusting/cleaning and sleepless nights is exhausting. Help.

[LWolf]

1. I have allergies, too.

I think your husband could get allergy tests from a doctor to see what he is actually allergic to; I've never done that. I have reactions to dust and pollen, but don't take any medications. I keep a lot of kleenex handy, have been known to wheeze, and have used a saline nasal "spray" recommended by my doctor. I probably should use it more frequently, but it's unpleasant, and I tend to avoid it. My reactions have slowly increased over the span of my life, but never been so severe that I took medication. I also get severe reactions to touching some plants; boston ivy is the worst.

As far as your husband goes, if he is suffering that severely, it sounds like allergy tests from your doctor are in order. If you find out what specifically is setting him off, it will help reduce exposure and decide how to manage reactions. The first line of defense is to avoid exposure when possible!

Meanwhile, how about an air cleaner/filter in your home? Or a salt crystal lamp, which also works as an air cleaner. I have a salt crystal lamp; I got it about 6 weeks ago. Only anecdotal evidence, but I'm using less kleenex and my nose isn't sore.

[OnionPatch]

3. We have a couple of air cleaners

They are the Ionic Breeze filters. We just got them two weeks ago. I think by now he should have noticed a difference. He says it takes awhile to get all the air clean but I would have thought that would happen in the first few days.

I haven't heard of a salt crystal lamp. What does it do?

[LWolf]

6. It is supposed to emit "negative ions."

Disclaimer: I don't know how reliable any claims might be, about the effects of salt crystals or negative ions; my experience is anecdotal only!

Here is a link for some info:

http://www.bright.net/~comtech/

Some air filters use ionizers; do yours?

[DemExpat]

2. A great place to start looking for info imo - Dr. Weil's site.

http://www.drweil.com/u/Home/index.html

Just type "allergies" in on search...

Best of luck,

I manage allergic symptoms I have by watching toxins in my home and diet, taking some supplements to boost my immune system, and I swear by my daily walk with my dog for health-boosting benefits.

:hi:

DemEx

[OnionPatch]

4. And the dogs would like that too

Since the allergies have been acting up more, they've not been allowed in here as much and miss the interaction. Maybe I can get him to go by proposing a "daily family walk."

[musiclawyer]

5. Tell him to do a liver flush

Lots of places on-line. Just google "liver flush" I did my first one ever last month according to the Andre Moritz Protocol. My problem was not allergies, but I know first hand that it worked. And there are lots of testimonials about liver flushes getting rid of allergies and a lot of other underlying problems. Takes some courage to do it. But it's worth it. Also really important to do the colon cleanse before and after just like most practitioners recommend.

[AgadorSparticus]

18. i'm interested in doing this. did you do the kidney flush beforehand?

any nausea? any info is appreciated. TIA.

[NMDemDist2]

7. you can buy saline nasal spray at any pharmacy

that may help too...

[NJCher]

8. this too shall pass

I don't think it's your dogs and here's why I think this. In many cases, a person builds up a resistance to whatever the allergy cause is. Your husband has presumably been around the dogs for quite some time so it's doubtful that he would become allergic to them. It would be the other way around--by now, he would have built up a resistance to any allergen they put off.

I speak from experience. About ten years ago my doctor tested me for allergies and the results of the test astounded him: I was allergic to everything in the test except for fish, eggs and chicken. If I remember correctly, the tests covered 2500 items. He calls me Allergy Girl and says he's never seen a patient as allergic as I.

Consequently, I have around 10 years of dealing with all types of allergies.

The tests showed I was allergic to cats. I have two cats--a black one and a white one with spots. Black cats produce the most allergen. Yet after awhile, I had no allergies to my black cat and I can even bury my face in her fur with no consequences.

So I think you can let the dogs back in.

I would, however, get rid of the carpet. Also, get a mattress cover. Our mattress and box springs are covered in plastic to prevent dust mites. We also have dust mite pillow covers, etc. You should check into the bedding thing by doing some research. Possibly search terms like "bedding dust mites covers," that type of thing.

Your husband should dump those OTC allergy sprays because they actually can get him hooked. This becomes a never-ending circle: the OTC spray perpetuates nasal congestion and the person uses more and more to try to overcome the stuffed up nose. Again, I speak from experience. I was addicted to them and it took about six weeks for my nasal passages to get back to normal.

There is only one kind of nasal spray that allows use without addiction and that is Flonase. It takes about a week of use to start showing results, however. Also you have to get it from your doctor. It's very good.

An allergy pill you may want to check out is Zyrtec. Lasts for 24 hours.

Finally, I think this season there is some odd type of allergen out there. I have heard a lot of people talking about how their allergies are really bad now. I am experiencing the same. In fact, right now I am having a frightful allergic reaction on my neck, chin and on up to my ears. It itches like crazy. For weeks I've had all types of symptoms, including nasal drip, coughing, etc. Zyrtec and Benedryl have been very helpful.

Tell your husband to hang in there--it will probably go away one of these days soon. Also, be aware it takes awhile to overcome addiction to nasal sprays.


Cher

[DemExpat]

9. Addiction to nasal sprays.....

Your husband should dump those OTC allergy sprays because they actually can get him hooked. This becomes a never-ending circle: the OTC spray perpetuates nasal congestion and the person uses more and more to try to overcome the stuffed up nose. Again, I speak from experience. I was addicted to them and it took about six weeks for my nasal passages to get back to normal.

In my teens I became addicted to them for my chronic post nasal drip - one bottle of Dristan nasal spray for several years!

My nasal passages became so inflamed/permanetly swollen from the use that I eventually needed nasal surgery to get them back to normal.

Since then I have occasionally used sprays when I have a bad cold and can't sleep, but I know that use for too long will have very negative consequences.

Since I am older, I cannot take many antihistamines without it causing very uncomfortable heart palpitations!

So, for me as well, I try to only use the saline sprays when I feel I need something.

DemEx

[NMDemDist2]

10. agreed on the carpet thing, hubby has allergies and they are MUCH

better now that we have no carpet

and cleaning up after the furry four footed kids is easier too!

if you want to keep your carpet, an investment in a Rainbow vacuum is the best answer (call the Rainbow store and get a used "trade in" for about half the cost of a new one)

it is the only vacuum that actually doesn't let the dust/allergens back into the air as you vacuum and I love mine. Even though I have no carpet, the Rainbow still comes out at least twice a month to do the upholstery, the dusting and the "corners" that I miss when I sweep every day or so.

[Digit]

16. I love my Rainbow!

I sold them years ago and ended up buying one.
With pets, it has been a wonderful help.
Friends whose children have allergies call me to borrow it once a year. At that time, we vacuum the mattresses thoroughly and get all the nooks and crannies. End of problem.
They are expensive, so the used ones can save you a bunch.

[NMDemDist2]

17. check ebay for used rainbows, they are quite cheap (comparitively)

on Ebay

I have an old D-2 that still works great! and they are into the E series now

[FloridaPat]

11. I ripped out my carpets. Made a huge difference, I don't

get sick now when I turn on the heat. Exciting.

As for allergies, NAET is a way to get rid of them. Try a Google search for a practitioner in your area. Also, in Florida in February there is a clinic to get rid of allergies. I plan on attending. I know nothing about it.

[Eloriel]

12. I've just read a book that has had a big impact on me

and the author, an M.D. "metabolics" expert, says (sort of in passing somewhere) that his diet cured someone's fairly significant allergies.

I think most of our allergies and other problems are directly related to what we eat. I know MANY people get immense relief from what they think of as arthritis from simply avoiding all wheat and sometimes nightshades.

Anyway (back to the book), the title is "The Rosedale Diet" by Ron Rosedale, M.D., and Carol Colman. Dr. Rosedale insists that he can prevent and even actually cure diabetes with his diet, and a host of other problems. He discusses the "master hormone" leptin, which I'd never heard of, but which apparently our cells can become insensitive to in just the same way (and for about the same reasons) that our cells beomce insulin resistant. He makes a very persuasive case, and I'm mulling over how to maybe incorporate his diet principles into my own diet (the South Beach Diet, with which I've been very happy with tho unfortunately a little lax about the last several months).

Rosedale makes some extravagant claims, but one can test those claims easily enough in about 3 weeks of one's life. I'm definitely going to do something with this information -- just not sure what, or how.

Anyway, I'd highly recommend at least checking it out of the library and taking a look. It's not specifically about allergies, but there was at least that one case where the patient also lost his allergies.

Herbally, nettles are supposed to be a very good anti-allergy herb, and alfalfa too IIRC. Consuming honey produced from within a 50-mile radius of where you live is also supposed to be helpful. And, as already noted, stopping consuming some of the 7 known allergens (wheat, dairy, corn, sugar, soy, yeast, and I never can remember the 7th).

[NJCher]

13. forgot this one

Those nose tape thingies:

http://www.breatheright.com/

I breath about 80% better with these on at night.


Cher

[yellowdawgdem]

14. These suggestions are always terrific

and there are always remedy possibilities I've not heard of yet. Another suggestion I'd make is to use vaporizers if hubby has dry nasal passages. They make a subtle but noticeable difference. Also you can put some salt (and baking soda if desired)into a small bowl of warm water. And you can hold one nostril closed while snuffing the mixture into the other nostril (then switch, of course). It really clears out better than a spray. Hope the dogs can come back in soon!

[Angry Girl]

15. Cut out all sugar, add certain supplements,+ NAET

1. The ingestion of sugar (we're also talking white bread and other highly processed foods, which the body processes similarly) is known to trigger inflammatory reactions throughout the body. It may take up to 2 weeks to kick but you'll probably notice that any nasal/sinus inflammation will decrease drastically.

2. Also quercetin has been known to counter allergic attacks. It's found in cherries and stuff but not at high enough concentrations. You can buy it in bulk or get the ready-made capsules from Respir-All from Now, available at http://beyond-a-century.com:

QUERCETIN, RESPIR-ALL from Now contains quercetin, B5, B6, C, Mg, Zn, nettle leaf extract, bromelain, & licorice root to support lung function and allergy relief. 60 tabs, $12.00. Code 839.5
http://www.easycart.net/BeyondACenturyInc./Herbals_P-Z.html#8395

Btw, beyond-a-century.com is my favorite place to get supplements because they have a great catalog, a very knowledgeable staff, and excellent prices!

3. Some people also get relief from MSM, although some people are intolerant to MSM and get the runs. Try 500 mg twice a day at first to see how it is tolerated.

4. Then there's a therapy called Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Technique (NAET). This is a very simple but efficient technique that I used on my husband for allergy to cats and it worked in a couple of sessions!

I found it in the book by Ellen Cutler: The Food Allergy Cure: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0609809008/ref=pd_sim_b_1/104-2160206-0132758?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance

If you can't get this book from your library, I'll be posting the technique here in the next day or so (I have to find my notes).

There's also a shareware book on the allergy tap technique available here:
http://www.subtlenergy.com/page/your_life/allergy_tap.htm

[diddlysquat]

19. Acupuncture can really help.

Give it a try.

[Nancy Waterman]

20. You might try some homeopathic remedies

For running and itchy, irritated eyes, with accompanying nasal issues: euphrasia

For slow to resolve colds with chronic sinus try some of the combination sinus pills ( several remedies combined).

For allergies with lots of sneezing and runny nose try sabadilla.

Always chew up the pills and take them away from food (half hour bfore and after).

Try a wheat-free and dairy-free diet and see what happens. Taht could resolve most of it. Wheat especially.