Allergies affect 40 to 50 million Americans, according to the American Academy of Allergy and Asthma Immunology (AAAAI). Each person reacts differently to allergies. Some people experience skin reactions such as hives and rashes, while others react with burning and itchy eyes. Prevention is the best way to treat any allergy. There are both natural and medical ways to prevent allergy burning of eyes.

Instructions

Allergy-Free Eyes

1. Avoid whatever causes your eyes to burn. If it is certain foods, avoid them, or if it’s dust, keep your house clean. Stay indoors where the air is filtered and recycled to avoid allergens found in outdoor air. Keep a close watch on what you eat, drink and expose yourself to.
2. Take an oral antihistamine to prevent burning of the eyes. Take Benadryl if your allergy occurs in response to isolated events. Take an over-the-counter 24-hour antihistamine such as Claritin or Zyrtec if the allergy is ongoing and consistent. Use antihistamine eye drops before leaving the house to prevent outdoor allergies from affecting your eyes. Drink plenty of water while taking antihistamines, as they dry up mucus in the body.
3. Use saline drops in each eye to prevent irritated, burning eyes. Place two drops in each eye, three to five times a day. to cleanse the eye and keep it moistened. Apply the drops in the morning, afternoon and evening for the best results.
4. Use a saline rinse with an eye cup. Buy an eye cup and saline solution from the local pharmacy. Fill the eye cup half-full with the saline solution. Hold the cup over a sink and lower your head to fit your surrounding eye area over the eye cup. Cock your head all the way back so the liquid is on your eyelid. Open your eye and move your eyeball from side to side for 20 to 30 seconds. Tilt your head back down over the sink and remove the eye cup. Clean the eye cup thoroughly with soap and water and repeat on the other eye. Repeat this process two or three times daily.

Changes in the season, colds and allergies often bring on distressing symptoms such as a stuffed nose. Clearing up a stuffy nose is simple with a few home remedies or over-the-counter medications. Avoid mixing too many methods at once especially if you haven’t previously tried natural remedies. Some herbs may interact with medications so focus on using either herbs or pharmaceuticals rather than mixing treatments at the same time.

Saline Nasal Sprays

Use saline nasal sprays to clear up a stuffed nose. These types of sprays are found at your local pharmacy or online. The Family Doctor website says to gently blow your nose before using the medication and try not to sneeze or blow your nose immediately after using the spay. Sneezing or blowing your nose can counteract the effects of the spray because the saline solution needs to remain inside your nasal cavity to help break up congestion.

Drink Green Tea

Choose caffeine-free green tea.

Drink green tea to boost your immune system and help clear up sinuses when suffering from a cold or allergies. Green tea helps clear up a stuffy nose because it contains antioxidants that stimulate the immune system. This helps to relieve all the symptoms associated with a cold such as runny nose, fever and sore throat. Green tea contains anti-inflammatory nutrients such as Vitamin C and L-theanine.

Increased Humidity

You can clear up a stuffy nose by increasing the humidity levels in your home with a vaporizer or humidifier. You can find these at your local home improvement or department store. Turn your humidifier on at night before bed so that you can breathe easier while you sleep. You can also spend 10 minutes, two or more times per day inside a sauna or hot shower to help clear up a stuffed nose. The hot steam helps clear up a stuffed nose by increasing moisture and humidity in the air.

Neti Pots

Neti pots often are used in Ayurvedic medicine. The pot resembles a small tea kettle, but is used to clean and clear out the sinuses. Saline is added to lukewarm water in the pot, and the user then pours the liquid into his nose through the spout of the pot.

According to Michelle Tason, author of “How to Have a Healthy White Smile,” white teeth are a sign of health and vitality in today’s society. Unfortunately, teeth become yellow over time, typically stained by coffee, tea, soda, medicine or smoking. Professional whitening services are available, but these procedures typically cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. With a few simple supplies from your medicine cabinet, you can remove yellow stains from your teeth at home.

Instructions

1. Pour 2 tbsp. tablespoons of baking powder into a small cup and add 1 tsp. of hydrogen peroxide. Stir the mixture and continue to add hydrogen peroxide until the mixture is the consistency of toothpaste.
2. Spoon the hydrogen peroxide and baking powder mixture onto your toothbrush and brush your teeth for two minutes.
3. Spit the mixture out into the sink and brush with regular toothpaste for another two minutes.
4. Rinse your mouth with water and enjoy your whiter smile. According to Janet Maccaro, author of “Natural Health Remedies,” it is safe to repeat this treatment once weekly to keep your teeth whitened.

Tips & Warnings

Always consult with your dental professional before using an at-home whitening remedy.