Eliminate Dairy During Allergy Season
One of the popular allergy hacks is to remove dairy from the diet under the notion that it will promote mucus production and add to congestion. And there is some truth in this. "It's a real phenomenon," she said. "There are people who have a severe form of reflux called eosinophilic esophagitis, where there's reflux and then there's allergic inflammation of the esophagus." 
   She said that it is recommended to limit dairy in these patient's diets because dairy exacerbates reflux. However, that average person is probably experiencing postnasal drip that leads them to think dairy is thickening mucus. "My issue as an allergist who deals with food allergies is when we eliminate a food for a prolonged period of time, we have evidence that it can increase your chances of developing an anaphylactic allergy to that food," Dr. Jeimy said. "So keeping yourself exposed to a very diverse diet keeps the bacteria and the gut diversified and happy and actually protects you."
   While she isn't opposed to limiting dairy, she advises patients planning to avoid things in their diet to not do so for longer than six weeks to prevent developing a food intolerance or allergy. 

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Supplements Instead Of OTC Meds
Many people do not want to take daily medication and instead look for all-natural solutions. This includes the natural plant flavonoid supplement Quercetin, which is also found in broccoli and onions. Vitamin C, bromeliad,
and butterbur are more examples of common supplements claimed to ease allergy symptoms. 
   While there may be a placebo effect or the supplements get praise when the person is taking other healthy measures, Dr. Jeimy does recommend taking probiotics, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids. And although she has heard of everything from salt caves for asthma to bee pollen for allergies, she said none of these natural remedies have compelling science-based evidence to back them. However, some of these natural remedies pose no health risks. Talk to your doctor first to assess if there is risk or harm. 

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Honey For Allergies
Dr. Jeimy debunked the effectiveness of bee pollen to become sensitized to allergens based on there not being enough of the pollen in a jar and the amount of variability from batch to batch. But she does recommend honey for treating the common cold, especially in kids two years or older. Honey works as a cough suppressant and has no risks unless diagnosed with diabetes.

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Vaseline Around The Nose
Another popular allergy hack is applying Vaseline on the nostrils with a Q-tip so that pollen sticks to it instead of entering the airways. This may seem harmless, but Dr. Jeimy warned against this to prevent serious illness. 
   "There's something called lipoid pneumonia that you can get from putting Vaseline up your nose because the particles can actually cause a chemical pneumonitis or chemical inflammation of the lungs," she said.   
   This hack isn't stimulating the immune system to lessen symptoms.  "I wish it were so easy, but unfortunately, desensitization to environmental allergen does take a lot of effort on the physician and the patient's part," she added. 
   According to Dr. Jeimy, it takes three to five years to achieve long-term desensitization. 

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Pressure Points For Sinus Relief
Many videos instruct those with sinus pain to massage the area and target trigger points to ease symptoms. 
Dr. Jeimy said this can be beneficial for pain relief and chronic sinusitis. 
She said there is no harm in trying this to alleviate pain. However, visit a reputable establishment if trying acupuncture. Severe sinusitis may also require antibiotics so massaging pressure points won't be enough. 

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What Allergy Treatment Actually Works?
The effectiveness of allergy treatment varies based on the individual's type of allergy. Dr. Jeimy suggests starting the OTC allergy medication two weeks before the onset of that allergen season. Then continue to use the medication through the season. Some may find one over-the-counter medication works for them, while other brands do not. 
   "The second-generation non-sedating antihistamines are actually quite effective," Dr. Jeimy said. "And I always tell people, it's a matter of experimenting to see which second-generation antihistamine you know fits you best, makes you the least sedated, while also being effective for your symptoms." 
   Some may not get relief from OTC allergy medications. This is when to consult an allergist to first, pinpoint specific allergens that cause negative reactions, and secondly to get prescription medication or seek other treatment such as allergy shots or immunotherapy.  

 

What OTC Medications To Avoid 
Some OTC allergy medications should be avoided. Benadryl, for example, can cause drowsiness and breaks the blood brain barrier. Afrin nasal spray is known for being addictive and causes more congestion. Dr. Jeimy said decongestant medications—whether they be in the nose spray pill or liquid form—have various side effects (including negative cardiovascular effects) and are not helpful with long-term usage. However, these are safe to take for 24 to 48 hours. 

Common Fall Allergies And Practical Tips
For those on the East Coast, common fall allergens include pollen, ragweed, mold, and dust musts. These are prevalent from August to the end of October. 
   Alternaria is the mold that grows on decaying organic matter such as grass, dying leaves, or hay. It can also be found growing on indoor plants. "A lot of the time, people think that they're allergic to grass or hay, and it ends up being a mold allergy," Dr. Jeimy, who is originally from New Jersey and now lives and practices in Canada, said. 
   Dr. Jeimy said pollen count is at its highest from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m., so those with this allergy should sleep with their w   indows closed. Those with ragweed allergies should show and wash their hair, and change clothes upon coming indoors. Never wear shoes in the house.  Try a nasal spray to flush particles and irritants.
   To combat mold allergies, use a HEPA filter in the house. Use a humidifier and keep humidity in the house between 40 to 50 percent. Check the house for milk, replace the carpeting, and ideally remove the carpets altogether. Treat indoor plants with vinegar.Those with dust mite allergies should purchase bedding covers and pillowcases to prevent the allergy. 
   Again, keep humidity between 40 to 50 percent in the house. Avoid pets coming into the bedroom. It's estimated that 1 in 4 people have seasonal allergies, but Dr. Jeimy believes 1 in 2 is more accurate. While it is possible to outgrow allergies, environmental allergens tend to get picked up over time as we age. "The silver lining is allergies tend to be less of an issue later on in life," Dr. Jeimy said. 

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Dr. Samira Jeimy is a program director, Clinical Immunology and Allergy at Western University and assistant professor at Western University’s Department of Medicine. Dr. Jeimy is certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in internal medicine and in clinical immunology and allergy. She is also board certified through the American Board of Internal Medicine. She is a co-chair of the CSACI scientific abstract review committee and a member of the Competency-based Medical Education (CBME) steering committee at Western University. 
  Dr. Jeimy’s research interests include food allergy, chronic urticaria and angioedema, drug allergy, and quality improvement. She is passionate about patient education and maintains several online platforms, including https://www.instagram.com/allergies_explained/