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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

    I have allergic rhinitis. I would like to know if there's any cure for it (apart from taking precautions)? I mean, is there any way to build your immunity using physical exercise or other natural methods, so that rhinitis may be completely cured?

    The closest thing there is to a "cure" for allergic rhinitis is allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots). This uses natural extracts of the offending substance to "desensitize" the immune system from being allerg... continue reading  about  I have allergic rhinitis. I would like to know if there's any cure for it (apart from taking precautions)? I mean, is there any way to build your immunity using physical exercise or other natural methods, so that rhinitis may be completely cured?

    Steven Machtinger

    Steven Machtinger, M.D.

    Mills-Peninsula Physician HMO Network

    My asthma is intermittent and mild. Is the Proventil inhaler the best treatment? Are there any side effects? Is there a more natural method to manage asthma? And are there effective dust and other airborne allergen removers?

    Mild intermittent asthma is defined as:One bronchodilator (Proventil) usage no more than twice a week ANDWaking up at night with asthma no more than twice a month ANDExacerbation of asthma resulting in an unsch... continue reading  about  My asthma is intermittent and mild. Is the Proventil inhaler the best treatment? Are there any side effects? Is there a more natural method to manage asthma? And are there effective dust and other airborne allergen removers?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    I have seasonal allergies. I previously went through allergy injections but I didn't feel like they were making much of a difference after several years of treatment. Is it okay to take something like Claritin D 12 hr for an extended period of time?

    Yes, it is ok to take the medication for an extended period of time. However, the "D" formulation has a decongestant (which is what the 'D' represents in the name) and this can raise your blood pressure. I woul... continue reading  about  I have seasonal allergies. I previously went through allergy injections but I didn't feel like they were making much of a difference after several years of treatment. Is it okay to take something like Claritin D 12 hr for an extended period of time?

    Steven Machtinger

    Steven Machtinger, M.D.

    Mills-Peninsula Physician HMO Network

    How can I know if I have a lagging reaction to a specific food?

    When we're talking about reactions to food, most people think any reaction must be allergic in origin. Not true. There are many reasons why one may have an adverse reaction to a food. A few examples: coffee may... continue reading  about  How can I know if I have a lagging reaction to a specific food?

    Steven Machtinger

    Steven Machtinger, M.D.

    Mills-Peninsula Physician HMO Network

    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?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    I have a seasonal reoccurring rash. Can this be related to allergies?

    Usually when someone has a “seasonal” allergy, it means springtime symptoms caused by pollen. Although pollen allergy certainly can cause nasal, eye or asthma symptoms, it rarely would cause a rash ... continue reading  about  I have a seasonal reoccurring rash. Can this be related to allergies?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    I had a pretty bad reaction to a bee sting a few years back, with hives all over my body. I was prescribed an EpiPen. If I get stung again, do I use the pen right away or wait to see if I have a reaction? After using the pen, should I go to the ER?

    If you are stung and start to have any whole body reaction such as hives or any respiratory problems, you should immediately use your EpiPen and then go straight to the ER. If you had whole body hives in the pa... continue reading  about  I had a pretty bad reaction to a bee sting a few years back, with hives all over my body. I was prescribed an EpiPen. If I get stung again, do I use the pen right away or wait to see if I have a reaction? After using the pen, should I go to the ER?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    I have had asthma since childhood. As an adult, I find that when I'm really stressed or anxious, my asthma gets worse. Is there a correlation? Also how can I tell the difference between an asthma attack and an anxiety attack?

    Stress and anxiety can both either trigger asthma or mimic it. With asthma there would tend to also be some wheezing, cough or chest tightness. Also, asthma would respond to Albuterol but anxiety would not. If ... continue reading  about  I have had asthma since childhood. As an adult, I find that when I'm really stressed or anxious, my asthma gets worse. Is there a correlation? Also how can I tell the difference between an asthma attack and an anxiety attack?

    Gary F. Milechman

    Gary F. Milechman, M.D.

    California Pacific Medical Center

    Living in smoggy air in Northern California has certainly made my asthma worse. Could it also be doing any damage to my heart?

    Your question is a very good one and is of global concern and research. Markedly increased mortality was first recognized during brief extremes in air pollution as long ago as 1930 in the Meuse Valley in Belgiu... continue reading  about  Living in smoggy air in Northern California has certainly made my asthma worse. Could it also be doing any damage to my heart?

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