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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 often have a light rash after playing with my dog. Are allergic reactions to dogs from their fur, their saliva or something else?

    Allergic reactions to dogs can be from anything that comes off or out of a dog. Saliva and the skin that is shed with the fur (also called dander) are the most allergenic parts of both dogs and cats. Fur/hair i... continue reading  about  I often have a light rash after playing with my dog. Are allergic reactions to dogs from their fur, their saliva or something else?

    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?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    I've been plugged up for months with allergies. I've used decongestants, antihistamines, and sinus rinses but nothing seems to help. Any advice?

    It sounds as though you have done all of the 'self-help' measures you can. I would recommending discussing with your primary care physician or seeking an otolaryngology referral to try other medications that ar... continue reading  about  I've been plugged up for months with allergies. I've used decongestants, antihistamines, and sinus rinses but nothing seems to help. Any advice?

    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?

    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?

    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?

    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 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?

    Steven Machtinger

    Steven Machtinger, M.D.

    Mills-Peninsula Medical Group

    I had a food allergy test about five years ago. All the tests came back negative. How long are the tests reliable? Can I still get a new food allergy in the future?

    The significance of a food allergy test cannot be interpreted out of context. For example, if you had a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction to peanuts but the food allergy test was negative, it would not nec... continue reading  about  I had a food allergy test about five years ago. All the tests came back negative. How long are the tests reliable? Can I still get a new food allergy in the future?

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