Help with Allergies

I'm right there with Margot about the netti pot. My allergist took me off my primary allergy meds from the time I started trying to get pregnant and I'm still off them because I'm nursing. But while I was pregnant, my allergies were out of control and the only thing that helped was my netti pot. Make sure you get non-iodized salt! Good luck.

Hi A.,

I've had bad allergies on and off throughout my life, so I know ho miserable you are feeling. What I have to suggest probably won't totally fix the problem, but I am sure it will help some, and it may get your allergies down to a place where the Clariten, Zyrtec or Benadryl can have an effect. I have used three different kinds of nasal irrigation techniques over the last 5-6 years, and they have all been helpful. I started with what is called a Neti pot, which is just a little cup with a spout at one end -- you can buy the in the health section of Whole Foods for around $10. You fill it with warm water and a small amount of salt (too much and you will never want to use the thing again!), stir, then pour the contents into first one nostril, then the other. This can be done in the shower or over the sink. The Neti pot is very gentle, and although it feels weird at first, I think most people find it pretty comfortable fairly quickly. I used it whenever I felt a sinus infection coming on, but severe allergy sufferers often use the Neti pot twie a day to cleanse away mucus and also irritants. More recently I found a couple of similar things that have more water pressure in my local drugstores -- there is a plastic squeeze bottle with little saline packets that is even easier than the Neti pot and not any more difficult or uncomfortable to use that i have been using lately and love. It comes in a box, is found in the aisle the sinus meds, and the box has writing all over it. Finally, I've used the Waterpick with a nasal attachment -- I've used that speifically to help with sinus infections -- it squirts water further into the sinus cavities for longer -- it's expensive and rather time consuming (about 5 minutes for the whole process, and you know how hard that can be to find for mothers!) -- but it works very well. I suggest you start with the squeeze bottle of the kind of plastic Neti pot they are selling these days in drugstores because they are a bit more powerful but just as cheap as the old-fashioned Neti pot, and I hope you find this helpful.

Sincerely,
M.

Okay. When I start feeling the symptoms of allergies from pollen in the air - I take Clariton D. It is behind the counter at any pharmacy and has antihistimine and decongestant(sudephedrine) It is non prescription. When my allergies have surpassed the beginning stage and is turning into sinus congestion/infection I take (behind the counter) Sudephed and max mucinex. one is decongestant and one is expectarant. Check with doc but you can probably take sudephed and mucinex with antibiotic. If you take antihistimine with an infection - it may make it worse. Also at Walmart I purchased a neti-pot. A little plastic blue pot that has saline and you mix warm water and actually pore it into one nostril and the water comes out the other side. (hold over sink) Saw this with Dr Oz and pediatrician and family doc advised us to do this. Hope this helps.

Hi A.!

I have had wonderful success with homeopathic medicines. I found Boiron- Sinusalia at CVS and I love it. It covers sinus pressure, headache pain, nasal congestion, and runny nose. Another great one from CVS , or any health food store, is Hylands- Allergy relief and takes care of all the eye irritations and runny nose, mostly due to outside allergies. There are no side effects!!!! except feeling great!!!