Seasonal Allergies at a Glance

https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/seasonal-allergies-at-a-glance?nav=govd As spring approaches, seasonal allergic rhinitis—also called hay fever—becomes a problem for some people. Symptoms may include sneezing, coughing, a runny or stuffy nose, and itching in the eyes, nose, mouth, and throat. Many complementary health approaches have been studied for allergic rhinitis, and there’s evidence that a few may help. Rinsing the sinuses with a neti pot (a device that comes from the Ayurvedic tradition) or other devices may be a useful addition to conventional treatment for seasonal allergies. Make sure to use only distilled, sterile, or boiled and cooled water; tap water may not be safe for use as a nasal rinse. There’s evidence that acupuncture may be helpful for seasonal allergy symptoms. Some studies of probiotics for allergies have had promising results, but others have not. It’s possible that only some types of probiotics are helpful.