Itching, sneezing, sore or irritated eyes, and a runny nose - those are all common symptoms of hay fever and other allergies. Take anti-allergy medication if you want to - but take it before an allergy attack for the best results - or try one of the natural antihistamines suggested below. You'll also want to tackle pollen, dust mites in the home, dander and other microscopic menaces that send your immune system into overdrive.
What's wrong:
Allergic symptoms are signs that the immune system is overreacting to normally harmless substances such as pollen (which causes hay fever), dust, pet dander (tiny flakes of dried saliva, skin and hair from pets) or mould. Usually, the immune system ignores these 'triggers' and focuses on protecting you from real threats, such as viruses or bacteria. But when someone has an allergy, the immune system cannot distinguish some harmless substances from dangerous ones.
Triggers can be ingested (such as wheat and peanuts), absorbed through the skin (such as plants or base metal), inhaled (such as mould or pollen) or received by injection (such as penicillin jab). Sensitivity to allergens tends to be inherited.
Nature's antihistamines:
* Nettle: contains a substance that works as a natural antihistamine. Capsules of thee freeze-dried leaf are available from most health food shops and some supermarkets. Take the capsules according to manufacturer's instructions.
* Ginkgo biloba: has become renowned for its memory-boosting properties, but it can also be an effective allergy fighter. Ginkgo contains substances called ginkgoglides, which can halt the activity of certain allergy-triggering chemicals (platelet activating factor, or PAF). Choose a supplement that is standardized for content of ginkgo flavones (the active ingredient) and take according to manufacturer's instructions.
* Eyebright: is an astringent herb that helps to strengthen mucous membranes and relieve irritability and inflammations, and plantain is rich in a soothing substance called mucilage, which helps soothe sore, dry eyes and relieve sneezing. They can be taken together as a tea or a qualified herbalist can make a tincture of them for you.
* Vitamin C: readily available from supermarkets and pharmacies is known to have a natural antihistamine effect in the body and there is some evidence to suggest that it can help control unpleasant hay fever symptoms. Take up to 500mg a day in tablet or capsule form while symptoms persist, or more if professionally prescribed.
Try something fishy.
* Omega-3 fatty acids: help to counter inflammatory responses in the body, such as those triggered by allergies. Salmon, sardine, fresh tuna and trout are good sources of these fats. If you prefer the idea of taking fish-oil capsules, take a supplement that provides 1000mg combined EPA/DHA (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids) a day. 
* Flaxseed oil (or linseed oil): is another excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. Take 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil a day. You can add it to salad dressings or a glass of juice, or blend it into a smoothie, but avoid heating it.
Try these simple soothers:
* To soothe red, itchy, swollen eyes, simply dampen a face washer with cool water and place it over your eyes as often as you wish. Always use a clean face washer each time to avoid the possibility of introducing infection into your eyes.
* Saline nasal sprays have long been used to clear nasal mucus and
can also help your nasal passages stay moisturized. But a recent study has shown that overuse of some nasal sprays can actually damage the cells of your sinuses, so it may be safer to make your own. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in 250ml of warm water. Fill a bulb syringe, lean over the sink and gently squirt the saline into your nose.
* A quick and easy way to relieve pain and encourage drainage of mucus is by
applying a hot compress to your sinuses. Eucalyptus, tea-tree and peppermint essential oils all help to clear congestion and have antiseptic and antiviral properties. Add 2 to 5 drops of the essential oil of your choice into a bowl of steaming hot water, tent your head with a towel and inhale the vapor.
Deal with dust mites.
* Dust mites: minute flesh-eating insects too small to be seen by the naked eye - inhabit your carpets, curtains and beddings. Their faeces can be a significant cause of allergies. To starve mites of the dust they eat - which is mostly made up of old skin cells - cover your mattress, bed base and pillows with covers made specifically to repel allergens.
* Vacuum your carpets regularly. Buy a vacuum cleaner that uses a double bag and a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter, which filters out microscopic allergens. If you have a wood or tile floor underneath your carpets, think about getting rid of the carpet altogether. Wear a mask while vacuuming, and then leave the house for a few hours afterwards, if possible.
* Change your sheets once a week and wash them in very hot water - at least 60 degree Celsius - to kill the mites.
* Clear away clutter which can gather dust and harbor dust mites. Remove any soft toys from the bed.
* If you do not have a dehumidifier it's a good idea to get one. Keeping the air in your home dry will significantly reduce the population of dust mites, which die when humidity levels fall below 45 percent.
Reduce reactions to animal allergens.
* Keep your pet out of the bedroom. Allergic reactions can be triggered by animal fur, dead skin, dried saliva and dander - particles from the coats of animals. All of these allergens linger.
* Give your pet a bath one a week. Bathing can remove up to 85% of pet dander. You can use plain water or a proprietary pet shampoo.
Clear the air.
* Studies show that vigorous household cleaning significantly reduces dust, mould, dander and other common allergens. So give your home a thorough clean twice a year. Wash every scrub-able surface with diluted bleach.
* Avoid places where moulds can be found, for example garages, old sheds, barn and rubbish areas or rubbish dumps.
* Laundries and bathroom are havens for moulds, mildew and dust mites, because of damp and humid conditions. Wipe away any obvious mould using a solution of dilutes bleach (make sure the room is adequately ventilated).
When a Kiss is not a Kiss.
* Avoiding known food or drug allergens may sound easy, but sometimes you can be exposed in less-than-obvious ways. Take the case of a young woman who had a life-threatening allergic reaction to shellfish simply when she kissed her boyfriend goodnight. Almost immediately, her lips swelled up, her throat began to close, she started wheezing, hives appeared, she experienced stomach cramping and her blood pressure plummeted. She survived but the lesson is clear: if your partner is severely allergic to a particular food, you must give it up as well. No one knows whether simply brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth out would do any good, so it's better not to take the chance at all.
Shall I call the doctor?
* If a person's tongue, face, hands or neck swell rapidly, they have difficulty in breathing - with or without wheezing - and rapidly develops urticaria or hives (raised red or white weal), then dial 995 for an ambulance. These are signs that anaphylactic shock, a potentially fatal allergic reaction, for example, to a bee sting, peanuts or shellfish.
Generally, allergy symptoms tend to be merely undesirable and uncomfortable. However, if over-the-counter remedies don't work, or if you can't work out what it is that you're allergic to, then it is advisable to consult a doctor.
What's wrong:
Allergic symptoms are signs that the immune system is overreacting to normally harmless substances such as pollen (which causes hay fever), dust, pet dander (tiny flakes of dried saliva, skin and hair from pets) or mould. Usually, the immune system ignores these 'triggers' and focuses on protecting you from real threats, such as viruses or bacteria. But when someone has an allergy, the immune system cannot distinguish some harmless substances from dangerous ones.
Triggers can be ingested (such as wheat and peanuts), absorbed through the skin (such as plants or base metal), inhaled (such as mould or pollen) or received by injection (such as penicillin jab). Sensitivity to allergens tends to be inherited.
Nature's antihistamines:* Nettle: contains a substance that works as a natural antihistamine. Capsules of thee freeze-dried leaf are available from most health food shops and some supermarkets. Take the capsules according to manufacturer's instructions.
* Ginkgo biloba: has become renowned for its memory-boosting properties, but it can also be an effective allergy fighter. Ginkgo contains substances called ginkgoglides, which can halt the activity of certain allergy-triggering chemicals (platelet activating factor, or PAF). Choose a supplement that is standardized for content of ginkgo flavones (the active ingredient) and take according to manufacturer's instructions.
* Eyebright: is an astringent herb that helps to strengthen mucous membranes and relieve irritability and inflammations, and plantain is rich in a soothing substance called mucilage, which helps soothe sore, dry eyes and relieve sneezing. They can be taken together as a tea or a qualified herbalist can make a tincture of them for you.
* Vitamin C: readily available from supermarkets and pharmacies is known to have a natural antihistamine effect in the body and there is some evidence to suggest that it can help control unpleasant hay fever symptoms. Take up to 500mg a day in tablet or capsule form while symptoms persist, or more if professionally prescribed.
Try something fishy.
* Omega-3 fatty acids: help to counter inflammatory responses in the body, such as those triggered by allergies. Salmon, sardine, fresh tuna and trout are good sources of these fats. If you prefer the idea of taking fish-oil capsules, take a supplement that provides 1000mg combined EPA/DHA (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids) a day. 
* Flaxseed oil (or linseed oil): is another excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. Take 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil a day. You can add it to salad dressings or a glass of juice, or blend it into a smoothie, but avoid heating it.
Try these simple soothers:* To soothe red, itchy, swollen eyes, simply dampen a face washer with cool water and place it over your eyes as often as you wish. Always use a clean face washer each time to avoid the possibility of introducing infection into your eyes.
* Saline nasal sprays have long been used to clear nasal mucus and
can also help your nasal passages stay moisturized. But a recent study has shown that overuse of some nasal sprays can actually damage the cells of your sinuses, so it may be safer to make your own. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in 250ml of warm water. Fill a bulb syringe, lean over the sink and gently squirt the saline into your nose.* A quick and easy way to relieve pain and encourage drainage of mucus is by
applying a hot compress to your sinuses. Eucalyptus, tea-tree and peppermint essential oils all help to clear congestion and have antiseptic and antiviral properties. Add 2 to 5 drops of the essential oil of your choice into a bowl of steaming hot water, tent your head with a towel and inhale the vapor.Deal with dust mites.
* Dust mites: minute flesh-eating insects too small to be seen by the naked eye - inhabit your carpets, curtains and beddings. Their faeces can be a significant cause of allergies. To starve mites of the dust they eat - which is mostly made up of old skin cells - cover your mattress, bed base and pillows with covers made specifically to repel allergens.
* Vacuum your carpets regularly. Buy a vacuum cleaner that uses a double bag and a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter, which filters out microscopic allergens. If you have a wood or tile floor underneath your carpets, think about getting rid of the carpet altogether. Wear a mask while vacuuming, and then leave the house for a few hours afterwards, if possible.
* Change your sheets once a week and wash them in very hot water - at least 60 degree Celsius - to kill the mites.
* Clear away clutter which can gather dust and harbor dust mites. Remove any soft toys from the bed.
* If you do not have a dehumidifier it's a good idea to get one. Keeping the air in your home dry will significantly reduce the population of dust mites, which die when humidity levels fall below 45 percent.
Reduce reactions to animal allergens.* Keep your pet out of the bedroom. Allergic reactions can be triggered by animal fur, dead skin, dried saliva and dander - particles from the coats of animals. All of these allergens linger.
* Give your pet a bath one a week. Bathing can remove up to 85% of pet dander. You can use plain water or a proprietary pet shampoo.
Clear the air.
* Studies show that vigorous household cleaning significantly reduces dust, mould, dander and other common allergens. So give your home a thorough clean twice a year. Wash every scrub-able surface with diluted bleach.
* Avoid places where moulds can be found, for example garages, old sheds, barn and rubbish areas or rubbish dumps.
* Laundries and bathroom are havens for moulds, mildew and dust mites, because of damp and humid conditions. Wipe away any obvious mould using a solution of dilutes bleach (make sure the room is adequately ventilated).
When a Kiss is not a Kiss.
* Avoiding known food or drug allergens may sound easy, but sometimes you can be exposed in less-than-obvious ways. Take the case of a young woman who had a life-threatening allergic reaction to shellfish simply when she kissed her boyfriend goodnight. Almost immediately, her lips swelled up, her throat began to close, she started wheezing, hives appeared, she experienced stomach cramping and her blood pressure plummeted. She survived but the lesson is clear: if your partner is severely allergic to a particular food, you must give it up as well. No one knows whether simply brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth out would do any good, so it's better not to take the chance at all.
Shall I call the doctor?* If a person's tongue, face, hands or neck swell rapidly, they have difficulty in breathing - with or without wheezing - and rapidly develops urticaria or hives (raised red or white weal), then dial 995 for an ambulance. These are signs that anaphylactic shock, a potentially fatal allergic reaction, for example, to a bee sting, peanuts or shellfish.
Generally, allergy symptoms tend to be merely undesirable and uncomfortable. However, if over-the-counter remedies don't work, or if you can't work out what it is that you're allergic to, then it is advisable to consult a doctor.
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