Allergies!!

[Anonymous]

I do have an appt with my PCP in November, but wanted to know what others do for congestion/runny nose. I've always had mild allergies and like many, as I get older they are getting worse. This fall has been really bad with alternating congestion and runny nose. I've tried a number of meds -- prescriptions as well as otc -- but I feel the side effects don't outweigh the benefits. Especially on the steroid sprays! I neti-pot. Is there anything that works for others that is more natural than all the drugs? I can't get a good night's sleep because I wake up at 2 am unable to breath and have to walk around the house for an hour to clear things up. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Sounds like your allergic to dust mites since it's a nighttime issue. Put you pillow and mattress in an allergy-barrier casing. Change your pillowcases regularly and wash in hot (over 130 degrees) water to kill dustmites. Put your pillow in the freezer for 1-2 hours to kill the dustmites. Don't sleep with a comforter - instead, sleep with quilts that can be washed in hot water regularly. Have wood floors in your bedroom that you (or a Roomba) vacuum regularly. Use an air filter at night. Also, during peak seasons, I rinse my hair before bedtime.

Hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

I second all of 10:11's suggestions. My DH and DD are allergic to dust mites and rag weed so this is a tough time of year for them. In addition to 10:11's suggestions, my DH and DD both take zyrtec at bedtime (my DH takes allegra-D instead if he has some). DH also has a nasal spray of rhinocort and prescription eye drops (pantenal).

[Anonymous]

What about getting allergy shots? Those helped me a lot. I may be getting ready for another round because now I'm also apparently allergic to mold, and that wasn't in my original serum.