references
  
      American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology: "Saline sinus rinse recipe"
    
      American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: "Seasonal allergies"
    
      American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: "Will honey relieve my seasonal allergies?"
    
      Clinical and Molecular Allergy: "House dust mite-related respiratory allergies and probiotics: A narrative review"
    
      American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy: "Acupuncture for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis"
    
      U.S. Food & Drug Administration: "Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?"
    
      Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology: "Quercetin with the potential effect on allergic diseases"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Acupuncture"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Seasonal allergies: Nip them in the bud"
    
      National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: "Natural doesn’t necessarily mean safer, or better"
    
      National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: "Seasonal allergies at a glance"
    
      The BMJ: "Randomised controlled trial of butterbur and cetirizine for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis"
    
      National Institutes of Health: "Zinc"
    
      Pharmacognosy Review: "Overviews of Biological Importance of Quercetin: A Bioactive Flavonoid"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Anaphylaxis"

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

Wearing a hat and sunglasses during outdoor activities can help keep pesky pollen out of your eyes and hair.

Image Credit: Jordan Siemens/DigitalVision/GettyImages

Image Credit: Jordan Siemens/DigitalVision/GettyImages

  • Limit Exposure
  • Cover Up
  • Wash Off
  • Tweak Your Workout
  • Run an Air Purifier
  • Use a Nasal Rinse
  • Try Acupuncture
  • Probiotics
  • Local Honey
  • Butterbur
  • Quercetin
  • Garlic
  • Zinc
  • Safety Tips to Keep in Mind
Check the pollen forecast before you head outside.

Image Credit: katleho Seisa/E+/GettyImages

Image Credit: katleho Seisa/E+/GettyImages

The best natural remedies for allergies are all about reducing your exposure to the allergens that bug you.

Image Credit: torwai/iStock/GettyImages

Image Credit: torwai/iStock/GettyImages

How Bad Is It Really to Not Shower After a Workout?

Image Credit: South_agency/E+/GettyImages

Image Credit: South_agency/E+/GettyImages

Saline rinses and neti pots should be used with caution. They can give you a nasal infection if you don’t use them properly. The water used for your saline rinse should always be distilled or boiled for 3 to 5 minutes, according to the FDA. Never use tap water without boiling it first, because it could contain infection-causing bacteria.

Acupuncture is generally considered safe, provided it’s performed by a trained expert using sterile needles, according to the Mayo Clinic. Seek out a certified practitioner, and get the green light from your primary care doctor before undergoing any treatments.

The verdict is still out on probiotics as a home remedy for allergies.

Image Credit: nensuria/iStock/GettyImages

Image Credit: nensuria/iStock/GettyImages

Foods high in quercetin have many health benefits, but natural allergy relief likely isn't one of them.

Image Credit: Glayan/iStock/GettyImages

Image Credit: Glayan/iStock/GettyImages

A 7-Day Kickstart Plan to Support Your Immune System

      American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology: "Saline sinus rinse recipe"
    
      American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: "Seasonal allergies"
    
      American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: "Will honey relieve my seasonal allergies?"
    
      Clinical and Molecular Allergy: "House dust mite-related respiratory allergies and probiotics: A narrative review"
    
      American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy: "Acupuncture for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis"
    
      U.S. Food & Drug Administration: "Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?"
    
      Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology: "Quercetin with the potential effect on allergic diseases"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Acupuncture"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Seasonal allergies: Nip them in the bud"
    
      National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: "Natural doesn’t necessarily mean safer, or better"
    
      National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: "Seasonal allergies at a glance"
    
      The BMJ: "Randomised controlled trial of butterbur and cetirizine for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis"
    
      National Institutes of Health: "Zinc"
    
      Pharmacognosy Review: "Overviews of Biological Importance of Quercetin: A Bioactive Flavonoid"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Anaphylaxis"