3 Home Remedies for Seasonal Allergy Relief

There's a story in a medical journal about a guy who cleared his sinuses by humming loudly and often -- 60 to 120 times, four times a day. Hmmm. Fortunately for seasonal allergy sufferers and everyone around them, there are better -- and better proven -- ways to breathe easier:

Neti-pot your nose. If you feel like you're single-handedly keeping Kleenex in business, try to clear your sinuses. The best way to do this is to use a neti pot. Sounds weird, but many people swear by it. You fill what looks like a genie lamp with warm saltwater, stand over a sink, head tilted sideways, and slowly pour the liquid into one nostril; it streams out the other. It's not uncomfortable. Saline sprays also help (as measured by a test called -- in what must have been one of the lighter moments in the lab -- the SNOT-20), but not as much.

Keep pollen out. To keep your indoor air cleaner, try the following:

• Leave your shoes at the door to avoid tracking in pollen.
• Shower at night so you don't bring pollen to bed.
• Buy a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter system and change or wash the filter at least once a month.
• Keep doors and windows closed.
• Don't hang clothes outside to dry or air out since pollen may cling to them.

Take a mind trip. Picture yourself breathing easily on a snowy mountain. People who learn enough simple self-hypnosis to do this (takes a couple of hours) can see real improvements in hay fever symptoms. It takes practice (about a year), but it's free, and it knocks down your stress levels, too.

Need relief from your seasonal allergies? Take our allergy assessment to stop your sneezing.