5 natural remedies for dust-allergy

As peak allergy season approaches Pakistan, a film of dust permeates the air and is making a lot of us very unhappy — and sick. Of course, you should rush to the ER if your asthma aggravates, but if you’re not a fan of anti-allergies, these natural remedies have been found to be very effective for seasonal and other dust sensitivities. As compiled from wellnessmama.com and Today News, here are tips to help you breathe easier while minimising the dreaded itch and cough.

Apple cider vinegar



Okay, so this concoction is more than just for seasoning or weight loss help! Apple cider vinegar is often recommended for a variety of health conditions, but many don’t know that dust allergy relief (and heartburn relief) is one of them. The theory is that its ability to reduce mucous production and cleanse the lymphatic system makes it useful for dust-related allergies. For optimal allergy relief, mix a teaspoon of unfiltered apple cider vinegar into a glass of water and drink thrice a day. This will help banish acute allergy symptoms such as coughs and nausea, which are exacerbated when dusty winds are out there to get you.

Quercetin



Quercetin is a natural bioflavonoid that is said to help stabilise mast cells to keep them from releasing histamine. In an allergic response, an allergen stimulates the release of antibodies, which attach themselves to mast cells. When histamine is released, it may cause eyes to itch, burn, or become watery; nose to itch, sneeze, and produce more mucus. It can also cause skin to itch, develop rashes or hives; sinuses to become congested and cause headaches; lungs to wheeze or have spasms and stomach to experience cramps and diarrhoea. Quercetin is a potent antioxidant that helps reduce the symptoms of dust allergies. Fruits and veggies are the primary dietary sources of quercetin, particularly citrus fruits, apples, onions and olive oil.

Probiotics



Allergies are the result of an imbalance in the immune system that causes the body to react too strongly to a stimulus. New research links the presence of beneficial bacteria in the gut with reduced incidence of allergies. Evidence is even emerging that a mother’s gut bacteria during pregnancy and nursing can impact a child’s likelihood of getting allergies throughout life — whether they’re from dust or pollen. If you’re feeling like you can’t stand the dust in the air, balancing gut bacteria now and consuming enough beneficial bacteria can have a positive effect on allergies now. Home staples like dahi or yogurt can help boost gut bacteria, as it naturally comprises probiotics.

Local honey



There seems to be substantial evidence that honey in its most natural form is the ultimate allergy torcher. The theory is that consuming local honey from where you live will help your body adapt to the allergens in the environment there. This is supposed to work like a natural allergy “shot” and that too, minus the side-effects. Consume a teaspoon or more of raw, unprocessed local honey from as close to where you actually live as possible. Do this up to three times a day to help relieve symptoms of dust allergies. It is often suggested to start consumption of this sweet delight as soon as your allergies kick in.

Keep your home sanitary



Do you find yourself coughing and itching like a maniac during ‘dust season’? People with allergies fare better when dust and grime are kept to a minimum indoors. Try not to use aerosol sprays or products containing harsh chemicals or odours that may worsen your already irritated dust-infused airways. But your home will need more than a casual dusting with a dry cloth, which just propels dust allergens into the air. Instead, wipe down hard surfaces and floors with a slightly damp cloth. Also, bleach kills mold that might have travelled along with the dust through your windows. Wipe down surfaces in your bathroom as needed to live life cough-itch-free!

Umnia Shahid

Published in The Express Tribune, February 20^th, 2016.

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