Many people associate allergies with symptoms including watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, hives, and in extreme cases even anaphylaxis. The symptoms are an immune system reaction as it tries to fight off foreign substances, or allergens. Common allergens include various foods, pollen, bee stings, animal fur, and even exercise. Thankfully, there are a number of natural, over the counter, and prescription allergy treatments, each with unique benefits:

1. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is one of the most popular natural remedies for allergies, in large part because it’s something everyone already needs. Studies have shown that many people experience more severe allergies in relation to vitamin D deficiency. For instance, low levels of vitamin D in expecting mothers might even cause allergies in their children. The underlying cause seems to relate to vitamin D’s role in the immune system. By increasing vitamin D levels one can often experience significant relief in allergy symptoms.

2. Acupuncture
The role of acupuncture in allergy treatment is more mysterious than most of the other natural options. In terms of natural treatments, it’s the polar opposite of prescription allergy relief. Acupuncture doesn’t use any active chemical substances at all. Instead it uses special needles inserted at specific meridian points along the body to effect change, or increase the natural flow of energy, or “chi”. Additionally, acupuncturists often advise people to try various forms of nutritional or meditative practices concurrently (i.e., homeopathic, herbal medicines, yoga, meditation, etc.).

3. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Diphenhydramine is the generic name for the medication commonly referred to as Benadryl. The substance is one of the most common over-the-counter allergy treatments. It helps to relieve symptoms of allergies by blocking the chemical signals often associated with allergic reactions. It also produces a drying effect within the human body, offering additional relief for runny noses or watery eyes.

4. Nasal spray
Nasal sprays can be an over the counter or doctor prescribed treatment for allergies, administered via a variety of different medications sprayed into the nasal passages. This means that nasal sprays can work in a wide variety of different ways depending on which medication has been delivered through it. For instance, antihistamine sprays work in a similar manner to diphenhydramine. Other types of decongestant nasal sprays work directly on nasal passages to reduce mucus. This is mainly for those whose main allergy symptoms involve a congestion, runny nose, and frequent sinus infections.

5. Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Cetirizine is the generic name for the medication found in brands such as Zyrtec. Cetirizine is an antihistamine and works in a similar way to diphenhydramine. The main difference is that cetirizine is less likely to cause drowsiness when compared to diphenhydramine. Otherwise, cetirizine works in a similar manner to diphenhydramine, as an antihistamine that blocks the reactive chain, which triggers allergy symptoms.

6. Immunology shots
Immunology shots, or allergy shots, work as a long term rather than a short term allergy treatment by introducing small amounts of the allergen into the body and building immunity. The other treatments listed so far are best used when first experiencing allergy symptoms. An immunology shot works similar to a vaccine in order to prevent severe allergic reactions rather than to treat them. An immunology shot is typically used in two separate phases. The first phase introduces small amounts of allergens about once or twice per week. Each injection slowly ramps up the amount of allergens introduced to one’s system. After three to six months one will have reached an effective dose. At this point one will enter into a maintenance phase. The intent at this point is to maintain the protective effects of the previous shots. The maintenance shots will only need to be administered once every two to four weeks.