Allergies in general are defined as hypersensitivity to some foreign particle or the other. Different people have different kinds of tolerances for foreign bodies. When some people cannot adjust with certain elements in their surroundings, they may suffer from certain skin problems that are commonly referred to as skin allergies.

Allergies are caused from an overreaction of the immune system, which usually leads to the production of histamine, prostaglandin and other compounds. The result is the familiar membrane swelling that generates the symptoms.

Allergic responses are usually noticeable, though not always. Food sensitivities, conversely, can go undetected for a lifetime. The most dangerous and most common food sensitivity is that to gluten and/or casein, proteins found in grains (wheat, rye, barley, and triticale) and milk (all dairy products) and their derivatives. Untreated gluten sensitivity can lead to serious conditions, including Celiac's Disease and bowel cancers.

Home Remedies for Allergies

Honey: Make sure you purchase local honey. Use it to sweeten teas, or a small amount of it plain. Local honey can help you became resistant to certain pollens. The beneficial qualities of honey are lost, however, when it is cooked.

Turmeric: This is the basic grandma's remedy - just apply fresh turmeric paste along with curd and gram flour on to your face. Your complexion clears up within a few days, as turmeric is very good for skin health.

Eat food items that are easily digestible. Replace meat with seafood.

Don't eat stored or refrigerated food. Prepare food before the meals time only. Don't keep the food in refrigerator to be used on the following day.

A mixture of one teaspoon of sesame seeds, mixed with a teaspoon of linseed, a pinch of common salt, and a teaspoon of honey, can be given once at night with helpful effects in bronchitis. Half a teaspoon of dry seeds crushed into powder should be given mixed with two tablespoons of water, two times every day. Alternately, a decoction of half a teaspoon of the same must be taken two times every day.

Avoid dry dusting your home and furniture. This stirs up a lot of potential allergens. Invest in a good vacuum cleaner and wherever possible, wipe the floor with a moist mop. This will remove the dry dust and help keep allergies at bay.

Herbs are an ideal treatment for sinusitis, which is often related to allergies or long standing yeast and viral infections.

One natural allergy remedy that is becoming quite popular is using a "neti pot". A neti pot is a small container shaped like a genie's lamp that contains saltwater, which is often used to clean the nasal passages naturally. Saltwater is quite effective in rinsing away the pollen grains that help to trigger allergic reactions.

Wash all Your Sheets and Blankets in Either Extreme Heat or Extreme Cold - Dust mites thrive in warm moist weather, but die in extreme temperatures. Washing your blankets and sheets in heated water (about 130 F and above) will wipe out a large percentage of dust mites. If your sheets are made of a fabric to delicate for extreme heat another option is to freeze them although it will take up to a day of freezing to effectively obliterate the dust mites.