Allergy, its causes and treatment

 Allergies are your body’s reaction to normally harmless substances that it considers as invaders. These substances are called allergens and they can trigger symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, watery eyes, hives, rashes, swelling, or asthma¹²³.

Some common allergens include:

• Airborne allergens, such as pollen, animal dander, dust mites, and mold¹⁴.
• Food allergens, such as peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, eggs, and milk¹⁴.
• Insect stings or bites, such as from bees, wasps, mosquitoes, or ants¹⁴.
• Medications, such as penicillin or other antibiotics¹⁴.
• Other substances, such as latex, metals, household chemicals, or cosmetics⁴.

The treatment for allergies depends on the type and severity of your symptoms. Some general treatments include:

• Avoiding the allergens that trigger your symptoms. This may involve reading labels, cleaning your home, wearing a mask, or avoiding certain foods or animals¹²³.
• Taking medications that can help reduce your immune system reaction and ease your symptoms. These may include antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays, eye drops, creams, or inhalers¹²³⁵.
• Getting immunotherapy or allergy shots that can help you become less sensitive to certain allergens over time. This is usually done for severe allergies that do not respond well to other treatments¹²⁵.

You can also take some steps to prevent allergies or reduce their impact on your life. These include:

• Checking the pollen count and avoiding outdoor activities when it is high³.
• Washing your hands and clothes after being exposed to potential allergens³.
• Using a humidifier or air purifier to keep the air in your home moist and clean³.
• Wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen and dust³.
• Carrying an epinephrine auto-injector if you have a history of severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis³.

Some ayurvedic ways to heal allergies are:

• Using a neti pot to rinse your nasal passages with a saline solution. This can help clear out the allergens and mucus that irritate your sinuses⁴.
• Practicing nasya or nasal oiling. This involves applying a few drops of sesame oil or ghee mixed with herbs such as eucalyptus, camphor, or mint to your nostrils. This can help lubricate and soothe your nasal membranes⁴.
• Taking herbal remedies that can help boost your immunity and reduce inflammation. Some common herbs for allergies are licorice, aloe vera, cayenne, milk thistle, olive oil, rosemary, turmeric, garlic, butterbur, and neem¹²³. You can take these herbs as teas, capsules, powders, or oils.
• Following a suitable diet that matches your dosha type and avoids foods that aggravate your allergies. Generally, you should avoid cold, heavy, oily, spicy, sour, or fermented foods that increase kapha and ama. You should also avoid foods that you are allergic or sensitive to¹²³.
• Doing yoga and pranayama or breathing exercises that can help improve your lung capacity and relax your mind. Some beneficial poses for allergies are fish pose, shoulder stand, bridge pose, and cobra pose. Some effective breathing techniques are alternate nostril breathing, bee breathing, and lion’s breath⁴³.
• Undergoing panchakarma or detoxification therapy that can help cleanse your body of toxins and restore your dosha balance. This may involve procedures such as oil massage, steam bath, herbal enema, nasal irrigation, or vomiting¹³. You should consult an ayurvedic practitioner before undergoing panchakarma.

These are some of the ayurvedic ways to heal allergies. However, you should always consult a doctor before trying any new treatment or if your symptoms are severe or persistent. I hope this helps you find some relief from your allergies.