The changes in season for most Americans do not only bring different temperature and atmosphere, but also each of these seasons brings its own sort of irritants. For allergic people, these pollutants can cause post-nasal drips, coughing, sneezing, and many more allergic reactions. Furthermore, such changes can bring with them fatal, or near fatal, risk for those who are allergic to bee stings or who suffer from allergic asthma.

Whilst life threatening allergies should be treated as a major concern and therefore should be discussed with a health professional, there are several simple yet effective home remedies with time-tested process and day-today materials for ordinary allergies, that can ease some of the sniffling and sneezing.

Allergies can be compared to an extreme over-reaction within the immune system. The normal job of the immune system is to protect the body from suspected harmful substances such as bacteria and viruses that may intrude upon it. However, if you are an allergic person, your immune system exaggerates its reaction as you ingest, touch, or breathe substances that are otherwise harmless to non-allergic people. The culprit - dust, pet, pollen, etc., that triggers this overreaction is called an "allergen".

Becoming allergic to a substance is dependent upon frequency of exposure. The more exposed you are to a specific allergen, the more your immune system is likely to react. On the lighter side, most types of mild and seasonal allergies or allergic reaction to animals such as cats can be treated by over the counter antihistamines together with several strategies to lessen the tendency of exposure to allergens. Let us look then at some home remedies that should help you avoid these allergens and relieve the symptoms if you should be exposed.

• Stay away from the instigator. Once aware of the substance that causes your allergic reaction, the best way to avoid that particular allergic discomfort is to plan ahead to ensure you limit future exposure. If you are allergic to cats, avoid visiting homes of friends or family that own one. Where this is not practicable, then consider reducing your length of stay.

• Rinse your eyes. When your eyes are irritated and itchy and there's no allergy medicine available, simply rinse your eyes with cool clean water which will help soothe them. Although this remedy does no harm, do remember that antihistamines are usually more effective.

• For congested sinus passages, a warm wash cloth is worth a try for making things flow easier. Put the cloth on the nose and upper cheek area and let it rest there for a few minutes.

• Use of saline solution (salt water). For upper respiratory allergies, irrigating your nose with salt water can help, as it takes away irritants lodging in the nose that cause inflammation. Saline solution can also be used to irrigate some inflammatory cells. Saline solution is available in drugs stores, but you can make your own by mixing a teaspoon of salt in distilled warm water with a pinch of baking soda. Sniff a bit of solution into your nostril and allow it to drain back out through your nose or mouth. Do it twice a day. For those with a history of asthma, consult your doctor before trying this remedy.

• Wash your hair after spending longer hours outside in the pollen season. This is to avoid allergens that may have collected on your hair falling on to your eyes.

• Take an occasional hot shower throughout the day if you have your first coughing or sneezing attack of a known allergy condition. This will help keep you free of pollen deposits on your body throughout the rest of the day.

• Wear sunglasses when going out in the windy pollen season. It can help shield your eyes from allergens present in the air.

• Implement a NO-SMOKING Policy in your home. Smoke coming from tobacco is a significant irritant that can trigger irritating respiratory allergies.

• In Spring, keep your windows closed. Whilst a fresh breeze is usually welcome, it also contains pollens that can be bad for allergy suffering people.

There are many other ways that help alleviate cases of allergic attacks. The tips mentioned here are some of the best home remedies for allergy symptoms and hopefully can prove beneficial to most people.