Allergies are caused by the immune system reacting to a foreign substance known as an allergen. An allergy can be a response to something you eat, inhale into your lungs, inject into your body, or touch, and the reaction can cause coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, and a scratchy throat. In more severe cases, it can also cause rashes, hives, low blood pressure, breathing trouble, asthma attacks, and even death.
Common Allergies
There is a long list of allergy symptoms, but here is a list of some of the more common reactions:
-runny/stuffy nose
-sneezing
-wheezing/shortness of breath
-cough
-rash/hives
-fatigue
-headache
-nausea/vomiting
-watery/itchy eyes
-itchy throat
Many people wind up treating routine allergy symptoms with over-the-counter medications, or prescriptions, but the problem with that is that you end up treating just the symptoms and not the cause.
Common Food Allergies
If you suspect you may have an allergy, specifically to food, one of the best ways to pinpoint the cause of your allergy is by doing an elimination diet. This is done by eliminating the foods that are commonly associated with allergies for three weeks. After the three weeks, you slowly introduce each item back into your diet one at a time, giving a few days for each food you reintroduce. If your allergy abates and then comes back when you eat a certain food, isolate just that food and repeat the diet a second time.
Here is a list of foods most commonly associated with allergies:
-gluten
-dairy
-soy
-refined/added sugar
-peanuts
-corn
-alcohol
-eggs, in some cases
-packaged, processed, or fast foods
Allergy Relief
In some instances, a more immediate need for relief exists, and for that, many essential oils are great for soothing symptoms.
Here are a few of them:
Peppermint Oil - Has anti-inflammatory properties and can help to quickly clear blocked sinuses and ease nasal congestion caused by allergies.
Lavender Oil - Works as a natural antihistamine and will help to reduce inflammatory allergic reactions in your body.
Chamomile Oil - Is a soothing herb that is known for its relaxing properties. If you have itchy, red skin rashes or hives caused by allergies, use chamomile oil for fast relief.
Tea Tree Oil - Can help to remedy allergic skin reactions by reducing inflammation and preventing infections. The antibacterial properties of tea tree oil can also be useful in destroying mold, fungi, and bacteria particles in the air, thus reducing symptoms of allergies at home.
Lemon Oil - Is used to treat respiratory problems associated with allergic reactions. Lemon is a natural antioxidant agent that can help cleanse toxins and reduce the body’s response to allergens.
Oils can be used with a diffuser, by being diluted with water and used as a room spray, or mixed with a carrier oil such as coconut oil, and then massaged into the skin.