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Breathing and Allergies

Millions of Americans suffer from allergies. If you’re one of them, here’s how to reduce all that sneezing and sniffling.

Sneezing on the Job

Simple strategies to control allergy symptoms throughout the workday.

Holistic Help for Allergies

Drug-free solutions to stymie symptoms of indoor and outdoor allergies.

Try a Sinus Rinse

Using a neti pot daily can ease allergy and sinus symptoms.

    Featured Articles

    Ragweed bush with a woman sneezing in the background

    Allergy Drug Comparison Guide

    A helpful side by side comparison of today's allergy drugs and treatment options.

    Prescription medicine

    Medication Allergies: What to Know

    Some people are allergic to ingredients in common medications. Learn how to manage.

    Woman with allergies outside

    Breathe Easier

    Beat seasonal allergies with this advice on everything from nasal sprays to vacuuming.

    View All Breathing and Allergies Articles

    Download Our Allergy Treatment Guide

    Ask an Expert

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    How would I know if I have a dust mite allergy? Sometimes when I'm cleaning the house my eyes start to itch, I sneeze, and my asthma kicks in. How would this type of allergic reaction differ from a plant allergy? Is there anything I can do about it?

    Dust mite allergy is diagnosed by obtaining a positive history (yours sounds suspicious) and having a positive allergy test (skin or blood) to dust mite. Pollen (plant) allergy would have similar symptoms but w... continue reading  about  How would I know if I have a dust mite allergy? Sometimes when I'm cleaning the house my eyes start to itch, I sneeze, and my asthma kicks in. How would this type of allergic reaction differ from a plant allergy? Is there anything I can do about it?

    Steven Machtinger

    Steven Machtinger, M.D.

    Mills-Peninsula Medical Group

    A friend uses a neti pot and swears that it has reduced her allergies (sinus congestion and headaches) by 75 percent or more. How does the neti pot work and is it safe?

    Neti pots use normal saline to rinse the nose of excess mucous. Normal saline is water to which salt is added and has the same degree of saltiness as your body's fluids. Saline rinses temporarily relieve nasal ... continue reading  about  A friend uses a neti pot and swears that it has reduced her allergies (sinus congestion and headaches) by 75 percent or more. How does the neti pot work and is it safe?

    Steven Machtinger

    Steven Machtinger, M.D.

    Mills-Peninsula Medical Group

    I seem to be reacting to something in my house lately (itchy eyes, sore throat and sneezing). It only seems to happen in the house, not outside. It feels like allergies, but what could be causing it indoors?

    Itchy eyes and sneezing certainly do sound like an allergic reaction to something. Significant sources of indoor allergens that could be triggering your symptoms include house dust mites, pets, and molds. If sy... continue reading  about  I seem to be reacting to something in my house lately (itchy eyes, sore throat and sneezing). It only seems to happen in the house, not outside. It feels like allergies, but what could be causing it indoors?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    I was alarmed by an article about deaths related to using tap water in a neti pot. I have been using only tap water. Should I change to filtered, bottled or distilled water?

    I have always recommended using distilled, bottled, or filtered water for nasal rinses. An alternative could be boiling tap water for at least five minutes. Municipal tap water should also be safer than well wa... continue reading  about  I was alarmed by an article about deaths related to using tap water in a neti pot. I have been using only tap water. Should I change to filtered, bottled or distilled water?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    For 15 years I've gotten sinus infections in spring and fall. Symptoms include sore throat, fever, nasal drainage, respiratory infection, and rash. I've been tested for allergies (negative). Do you have any idea what this is and how I can treat it?

    Your symptoms sound consistent with upper respiratory infection rather than allergy. The negative allergy test confirms this. These infections are treated according to symptoms. Medications can include Tylenol ... continue reading  about  For 15 years I've gotten sinus infections in spring and fall. Symptoms include sore throat, fever, nasal drainage, respiratory infection, and rash. I've been tested for allergies (negative). Do you have any idea what this is and how I can treat it?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    My 6-year-old daughter has recently been sneezing, coughing and is tired. How can I tell if this is caused by allergies or if it's a common cold?

    A cold will typically start with a sore throat, then lead to thick yellow or green mucus and possibly a cough. The symptoms last about seven to 10 days. Allergy symptoms include itchy eyes and throat, and clear... continue reading  about  My 6-year-old daughter has recently been sneezing, coughing and is tired. How can I tell if this is caused by allergies or if it's a common cold?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    My wife just developed hives for the first time in her life -- on her face, arms and chest. What is known about hives, and what can she do to eliminate the symptoms?

    Acute hives are actually fairly common, but finding the cause can be challenging. Hives occur when the immune system is stimulated into releasing histamine from inside the blood stream, resulting in the dilatio... continue reading  about  My wife just developed hives for the first time in her life -- on her face, arms and chest. What is known about hives, and what can she do to eliminate the symptoms?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    What are the differences between spring and fall allergies in Northern California? Are there different triggers?

    The mechanism for spring and fall allergy is the same but the triggers are different. Spring allergy in Northern California is mainly caused by tree and grass pollen. (Read our article on Central Valley Allerg... continue reading  about  What are the differences between spring and fall allergies in Northern California? Are there different triggers?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    In winter my allergies get worse. My doctor thinks it's from mold and dust mites, and told me to take Claritin, which I'm doing. But it only works for a few hours, and then I'm sneezing and itching again. Is there anything I can do to prevent this?

    The only way to know for sure if this is an allergy is to have allergy testing. Winter allergies could be caused by any of the indoor allergens - dust mite, mold or animals. If this is allergic reaction and Cla... continue reading  about  In winter my allergies get worse. My doctor thinks it's from mold and dust mites, and told me to take Claritin, which I'm doing. But it only works for a few hours, and then I'm sneezing and itching again. Is there anything I can do to prevent this?

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