You At Your Best

By KArEN riCE NWA DEMOCrAT-GAzETTE An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from allergies. One of the most common ways people treat their allergies is with over-the-counter allergy medications. But when a recent study showed a possible link between diphenhydramine, a common antihistamine people often take for allergies, and an increased risk for dementia, many people started looking for alternative treatments. For those who would rather be safe than sorry, here are some natural alternatives. 1 Apple cider vinegar - Vinegar has a long list of health benefits, including helping treat allergy symptoms. It can help reduce mucous production and cleanse your lymphatic system. If you don't like the taste, try using it in salad dressings or diluting it with water. A typical dose is a tablespoon a day. 2 Acupuncture - This ancient Chinese art of inserting needles into the body to treat chronic conditions has been shown to reduce allergy symptoms in some people. A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2013 suggests acupuncture may reduce seasonal allergy symptoms, making people less reliant on antihistamines. 3 Probiotics - Probiotics have gotten a lot of good press lately, helping everything from digestive issues to lowering cholesterol. Probiotics may be able to help allergy sufferers by boosting their immune system. 4 Exercise - While this may seem counterintuitive – no one likes to work out when they don't feel well – researchers have discovered that 30 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity can result in allergy relief. This may be because exercise produces a natural anti- inflammatory effect on the body. 5 Immunotherapy - For severe allergies that don't respond to other treatments, your doctor might recommend allergen immunotherapy. This treatment introduces small amounts of the substance causing the allergic response into your system, gradually increasing the amount. This incremental approach attempts to train your body to become less sensitive to allergens. This treatment can take years to complete, but can result in being allergy-free. Allergic reactions occur when the body's immune system attacks an often harmless substance like animal dander, food or pollen. Medication can help reduce the severity of such reactions, but some allergy sufferers find allergic reactions inconvenient nuisances even with medication. Understanding what triggers allergic reactions may help some people avoid them or make them easier to handle. The following are some of the more common allergy triggers and how you can avoid them. Pollen Pollen is perhaps the best-known allergy trigger. A fine, often yellow substance that's essential to the fertilization of flowers, pollen can be spread by wind, insects or other animals. Hay fever sufferers may sneeze or experience a runny nose and itchy eyes when pollen spreads. Over-the-counter medications can be especially effective at relieving symptoms of seasonal allergies. But allergy sufferers also can combat high pollen counts by staying indoors on windy days and closing their windows and running their air conditioners. Pet dander Millions of pet owners have an allergy to their animals, says the AAAAI. It's not the fur of the animal that causes the trouble, but usually proteins found in a pet's shed skin, saliva and urine that can cause problems. Keep in mind that there are no truly hypoallergenic breeds, and length of hair or fur will not eliminate allergies. An allergist may be able to suggest a course of treatment. Mold Mold is a furry growth of minute fungal hyphae that is often found in damp parts of a home, such as basements and bathrooms. Mold also can be found in grass and mulch, triggering allergic reactions when men and women spend time in their yards. To avoid an allergic reaction triggered by mold, make sure moist areas of your home get fresh air regularly and routinely clean ceilings or other areas where mold may grow. Limit outdoor activities when mold counts are high and wear a mask when tending to lawns and gardens. Relying on central air conditioning equipped with HEPA filter attachments and lowering indoor humidity are two ways to reduce exposure to mold when indoors. Dust and dust mites Dust is an accumulation of microscopic particles that become trapped in a home. A large portion of dust is comprised of dust mites. Dust mites are so tiny that they're invisible to the naked eye. But just because you can't see them does not mean they're not there. WebMD says about 20 million Americans are allergic to dust mites and their waste. Dust mites feed on skin from pets and humans, so they tend to make their homes in the inner layers of furniture, carpets and bedding. Even stuffed children's toys might make great homes for dust mites. They tend to spike in numbers during warmer weather or if indoor temperatures are kept at 75 F or higher. Allergy sufferers whose attacks have been linked to dust mites can cover their mattresses and pillows in dust-proof covers, wash their sheets and blankets in hot water and utilize HEPA filter vacuum cleaners to keep mites and mite waste from reentering the air after a cleaning. Cockroaches Cockroach allergies are common asthma triggers. In fact, studies have indicated children who are allergic to cockroaches must visit the hospital for asthma more frequently than other children who do not have asthma. Cockroaches need food, water and shelter to survive, so people whose asthma attacks are being triggered by cockroach allergies can cover their trash cans tightly, store their food in airtight containers, clean all of their dirty dishes immediately after use, and promptly sweep up any food or crumbs that accumulate on their counters, tabletops, stoves, and floors Allergies can occur all year long and be bothersome. Working with an allergist and avoiding the most common triggers can help people feel more comfortable. natural ways to tackle allergies 5 Even stuffed children's toys might make great homes for dust mites. SATURdAY, mARch 30, 2019 | ApRil - AllERgiES nwAdg.cOm/YOUATYOURBEST | YOU AT YOUR BEST | 9

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