WANTED: Natural remedies for allergies!

[Celticqueen]

I'd like to know everything you do for allergies, naturally, because I am at my wit's end. Backstory: I've suffered from allergies since I was 2. I've been on the drug Zyrtec since I was 14. Now, at 25 and pregnant with my 3rd, I am tired of taking a sleeping pill (Zyrtec) for my only relief. It's taking away my life because it knocks me out and makes me so drowsy when I make myself stay awake. It's horrible.

So I am willing to try ANYTHING else to help it. My allergist won't prescribe anything else because Zyrtec is the safest for pregnancy. When not pregnant anymore, I'm considering Allegra...Supposedly that has no drowsiness effects?

Google is helping some but I'd also like responses here too if anyone has experienced allergies and relief from natural remedies.

So far I've read that salt water solution can help flush the allergens. Did this work for you? I've tried if for sinus infections and it's worthless for that, but never tried it for allergies.

What about itchy itchy ears and throat when sneezing? Any remedies for that that you've tried? IN NEED OF RELIEF!

Side note- I did find relief for itchy eyes...My ENT prescribed a good eye drop that helps instantly. Every other symptom though is going nuts the past few days.

Thanks in advance!!!

[SweetSilver]

I do find that a neti pot, saline gargles etc. are palliative.  They help with some ear congestion, too, by flushing out tonsil stones that are chronic with my allergies.  the sinus rinse is not as helpful when my nose is running like a spout all summer, but now at late summer/ fall it is more congestion and that helps.

I find allergy medication annoying because I start feeling the irritation in my nose and lungs long before the mucus starts running to flush it all out with sneezes and runny nose.  I'll take something if I'm going to a party or something, but I hate the aftermath.  At home I will wear a silk mask during the worst time of year.  We are also super diligent about bedding, sometimes rinsing the bedding every day during grass season.  I don't line dry.  :(  I shower off fully before bed and I keep the bedroom window closed in summer.

Some have allergies worse than mine and can't maintain a tolerable level of normal without drugs, but so far I haven't had that trouble.

[ASusan]

Would you consider BioAllers? They are homeopathic remedies, and there is a formula for each type or class of allergies. We have the dairy and the tree pollen ones. They seem to reduce symptoms significantly.