Natural home remedies for freckles

by S. C.

Freckles are flat, round and brown spots on a person's skin. Freckles are basically of two types, ephelides and lentigines. There are certain factors which may cause freckles in an individual. Some of the common causes are prolonged exposure to the sunlight, hereditary, hormonal imbalance, disorders such as xeroderma pigmentosum and many more. These freckles can be seen in both men and women and are harmless.

Freckles Home Remedies

There are several remedies for freckles which are quite natural and safe to try at home without any risk of side effects. These home remedies are simple to use and can give good results. Some of the popular home remedies for freckles which are being used since a very long time and have proved to be quite effective in many cases are:

1. One of the most effective remedies for freckles is the use of lemon juice. All you need to do is take a lemon and extract its juice. Now apply this lemon juice on your freckles with the help of your fingers. Practice this home remedy on daily basis for better results.

2. One of the cheapest remedies for freckles is the use of buttermilk. Take a tablespoon of oatmeal and mix it with buttermilk to make a paste. Now apply this paste on the affected area. Wait for twenty minutes and then later wash with cold water.

3. Take some red lentils and soak them in water for whole night. Next morning blend these red lentils and turn them into a paste. You can use this paste on your freckles.

4. You can use vegetable and fruit masks on daily basis to treat freckles. Strawberries, apricots, red currant and cucumber can be very effective in lightening your freckles.

5. Vitamin C is also considered to be one of the most efficient home remedies for freckles. All you have to do is consume food rich in vitamin C such as strawberries, grapes, oranges and apples on daily basis.

6. Aloe vera juice is also very helpful in treating freckles. Just take some aloe vera juice and rub it on the affected area. Make this a daily routine and you will see that after some time your freckles will fade away.

7. Take a potato and grate it. Now squeeze juice out of this grated potato and then apply this juice on the affected region. Wait for it to dry and later wash with cold water. If you use this home remedy on daily basis it will lighten up the freckles after some time.

8. Take some honey and water and mix them together. Now heat this mixture and later apply it on the affected area. After some time wash with warm water. This is one of the most effective home remedies for freckles.

9. Take sesame seeds and turmeric in equal quantities and mix them together. Now grind this mixture in water and then apply it on the affected area.

10. Just before going to bed it is very beneficial if you apply vitamin E oil on the affected area.

These were some of the most popular remedies for freckles which are simple, cheap and effective. visit link esterno for more information.

by S. C.
19 August 2012 Teatro Naturale International n. 8 Year 4

Natural Flea Remedies

From: earthclinic.com

Did you know that a flea could jump 100 times its own height? Did you also know that just one female flea will produce 20,000 eggs in a period of only three months?' Lastly, did you know that it can take anywhere from three to six weeks for flea eggs to hatch? Now that's definitely some eye opening, yet frightening flea trivia!

The pests in question are tiny, brown, wingless insects that survive on the blood of your pet. Unfortunately once they have found that food source they are very difficult to get rid of. Any of you who have been faced with the regrettable task of dealing with fleas truly know how trying it can be, and how incredibly quickly the problem can spread to other pets and to your home. 

So first let's talk about a couple of ways in which we can prevent flea problems for our pets altogether.  The addition of Garlic to every one of our dog's meals will help to keep them free of fleas, as will the addition of Sulphur to their diet on a once a week basis. You can also try giving your pet Black Walnut Hulls that come in a capsule form at many health food stores which will repel not only fleas but also, ticks and mosquitoes.  Keep in mind that none of these solutions will work overnight and may take about four to six weeks before they are effective.

If you suspect that your pet does have a flea infestation examine the animal closely by separating the hair on the animals back or flank area.  You want to be able to view the skin of the animal as well as possible and it will always be easier to detect fleas on those pets that have a lighter skin tone.  During your search you might actually be able to see a flea scurrying by, but more likely you will see the evidence that the flea has left behind.  Flea dirt (or feces) will appear as small, black pebbles in the fur and on the skin.  To determine whether or not what you see is actually flea dirt, take some wet paper towel and wipe it over areas where the dirt is most prominent.  If the dirt on the wet paper towel has dissolved into red blood then you can bet that you are indeed dealing with a flea problem.

Now let's get down to bathing your flea infested friend.  Use an herbal shampoo that contains a combination of any of pine cedar, bergamot, rosemary, lavender, eucalyptus, citronella, juniper or geranium.  Before you wet down your pet here's a handy trick to ensure that you are successful in killing all of those nasty fleas.  Know going into this process that as soon as you wet the animal down, those fleas are going to run for higher and dryer ground; this means they will flea (no pun intended) to the head area.  You should never douse your pet's head with water and certainly not soap, so in order to prevent the fleas from escaping make sure that you first pour a thick layer of the shampoo all around the head and neck area; as close to the top of the head and underneath the chin area as you can get.  Pour small amounts of water with your hand onto the soapy area and spend some time building up a thick, soapy barrier that will kill the fleas that attempt to pass through it.  Proceed by wetting down and lathering up the rest of the animal's body while frequently returning to massage and re-lather the neck area.  Fleas are very difficult to kill and it is better for your pet if you can handle the problem with one good bath rather than several of them, so be sure to leave the shampoo on for at least 15 minutes or more while continuing to massage the soap deep into the animal's fur.  Rinse the animal thoroughly and dry it off well, especially during cold weather.

If you are also dealing with a house infestation of fleas, here's a great way to get rid of the problem.  Mix together 1 1/2 pounds of diatomaceous earth, 1 1/2 pounds of natural borax and 1 cup of salt. (Don't use the earth and borax that you can purchase at a pool store, rather use the products that you can get from your local garden store.)  The diatomaceous earth works because it contains very tiny particles that have sharp spines, which puncture the exoskeleton of the flea, killing it.  The borax and salt work by absorbing the moisture of the flea and make all of those cracks and small areas that they might find to live in your home much more undesirable.  You can use the mixture by sprinkling it throughout your home onto carpets and into those harder to reach areas.  Allow the mixture to sit for a couple of days and then vacuum it up.  Although these powders are not poisonous it's never a good idea for you or your pet to breathe it continually for days so if it's possible to go elsewhere while it sits then that's definitely an option you should use.  Alternatively, if you prefer not to douse the house with the mixture, you can always pour it into your vacuum cleaner bag and vacuum everything thoroughly so that any of the sucked up fleas will die inside the bag.  Keep in mind that this solution will not kill the un-hatched flea eggs and therefore the process may need to be repeated several times depending on the severity of your problem."

Diarrhea in Children: Causes and Treatments

From: WebMD

Children tend to get diarrhea much more often than adults. You can help soothe your child's diarrhea and discomfort with these tips about causes and home treatments.

Diarrhea in Children: Common Causes and Treatments

Diarrhea is the body's way of ridding itself of germs, and most episodes last a few days to a week. Diarrhea often occurs with fever, nausea, vomiting, cramps, and dehydration. Some of the most common reasons kids get diarrhea include:

• Infection from viruses like rotavirus, bacteria like salmonella and, rarely, parasites like giardia. Viruses are usually the cause of a child's diarrhea. Along with loose stool, symptoms of a viral gastroenteritis infection often include vomiting, stomach ache, headache, and fever. 

When treating viral gastroenteritis -- which can last 5-14 days -- it's important to prevent fluid loss. Offer additional breast milk or an oral rehydration solution (ORS) to infants and young children. Water alone doesn't have enough sodium, potassium, and other nutrients to safely rehydrate very young children. Be sure to talk to your doctor about the best way to get fluids back into your child.

Older children with diarrhea can drink anything they like to stay hydrated, including ORS and brand-name products (their names usually end in "lyte"). Popsicles can also be a good way to get fluids into a child who's been vomiting and needs to rehydrate slowly.

Be sure to consult with a doctor if you have travelled outside of the country recently. Your child may need medical care.

• Medications like laxatives or antibioticscan also lead to diarrhea in children as well as adults.

For mild diarrhea caused by medication, keep your child safely hydrated. If a course of antibiotics is causing your child's diarrhea, be sure to continue the medication and call your doctor. Your doctor may recommend reducing the dose or switching to a different antibiotic.

Studies show that yogurt with live cultures or probiotics can help ease diarrhea caused by antibiotics. Cultures and probiotics help replenish healthy gut bacteria killed by antibiotics.

• Food poisoning can also cause diarrhea in kids. Symptoms usually come on quickly, may include vomiting, and tend to go away within 24 hours.

Treatment for food poisoning-related diarrhea is the same as for the diarrhea caused by infection: Keep your child hydrated and call your doctor with any questions.

• Other causes of diarrhea include irritable bowel disease, Crohn's disease, food allergies, and celiac disease. If you're not sure what's causing your child's diarrhea, give your doctor a call.

Children and Diarrhea: Recognizing Dehydration

Dehydration is one of the most worrisome complications of diarrhea in children. Mild diarrhea usually doesn't cause significant fluid loss, but moderate or severe diarrhea can.

Severe dehydration is dangerous; it can cause seizures, brain damage, even death. Know the signs of dehydration. Call your doctor if your child has:

• Dizziness and light-headedness
• Dry, sticky mouth
• Dark yellow urine, or very little or no urine
• Few or no tears when crying
• Cool, dry skin
• Lack of energy

Hoarse Throat Remedy

By Karen Carter, eHow Contributor


A hoarse throat can be a minor annoying condition. This can be caused by anything from a stuffy nose to a bacterial infection. If a hoarse throat lasts for more than three days, contact your primary care provider to see if it is something serious. Signs of something more than a hoarse throat include muscle pain, high fever and coughing up blood. Otherwise a hoarse throat should get better with some self-care remedies.


Gargle
Gargling is good for a hoarse throat if you can gargle without gagging. It soothes a painful throat and helps cut through any phlegm. Add ½ teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of very warm water. Gargling with salt water will soothe your throat and kill germs. Using antiseptic mouthwash as a gargle kills bacteria that may be causing an infection. Put ¼ cup of mouthwash in a small cup and gargle with it. Do not share this cup with anyone in order to prevent the spread of germs. Also, do not drink the mouthwash directly from the bottle since this will contaminate the bottle.

Hot Liquids
Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of non-caffeinated liquids a day while suffering from a hoarse throat. Hot fluids like coffee, tea or hot lemonade are the best to sooth a hoarse throat. Hot liquid treatment is similar to applying hot packs to injuries on the outside of the body. It helps to relieve swelling and pain. One old-fashioned remedy is to mix 1 tablespoon honey with 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar in 8 ounces of hot water. Sip this remedy slowly. If it starts to cool, warm it up in the microwave. Use this remedy often until your hoarse throat goes away.


Other Remedies
Take analgesics for the pain. These include aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Do not give aspirin to children under the age of 19. They run a high risk of Reye Syndrome when given aspirin. Bed rest leaves energy to fight off the infection. Also keep your nasal passages clear by using decongestants with pseudoephedrine. Follow the package directions when taking decongestants. Saline nasal spray can bring immediate relief to nasal congestion. Relief from saline spray is only temporary. Also use a humidifier at night in your bedroom. This will keep your throat moist and help with the healing process.

Read more: Hoarse Throat Remedy | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5279832_hoarse-throat-remedy.html#ixzz2EeZcZgQa

Easy Homemade Remedies Relieve Arthritis and Joint Pain

(NaturalNews) Homemade remedies for arthritis, gout and other joint pain are never farther away than the kitchen cupboard or the refrigerator. Joint disease is the result of various causes ranging from aging, to over-use and autoimmune diseases that attack joints and surrounding tissue. Pharmaceutical companies have designer drugs that reduce inflammation to help relieve pain and often cause significant side effects. The ingredients for homemade remedies can be purchased at grocery and health food stores and many may already be stocked in your pantry, offering significant savings over costly pharmaceutical drugs.

Anti-Inflammatory triad

On their own, turmeric, ginger and bromelain work as effective anti-inflammatory agents. Each works to relieve pain, stiffness and swelling. In combination, they provide a powerhouse of natural medicine. The three substances are synergistic to one another, each boosting the other's effectiveness and complimenting each other's medicinal action. Research has shown that turmeric works as well as any anti-inflammatory drug to reduce pain in the joints. Ginger has been used for centuries to treat various ailments from nausea to joint pain. Bromelain is an enzyme derived from pineapples that possesses potent healing pproperties, relieving sufferers from inflamed muscle, tendon and soft tissue pain. Take these in combination on an empty stomach twice a day for pain relief. All three substances can thin the blood, so those taking blood thinning medicine should first check with their health practitioners.


Stinging nettles

Homemade remedies from stinging nettles are numerous. A traditional herbal treatment, stinging nettles are used to relieve symptoms of joint pain, arthritis and gout. A tea can be made from the dried herb or the fresh leaves. Use caution and wear gloves if harvesting fresh nettles. As their name implies, the little hairs on the plant can cause serious skin reactions including hives and other painful outbreaks. These are neutralized when heated into tea or when the plant is dried. The tea can be consumed hot or cold or used as a topical soak for painful joints.

Cayenne pepper

Found in most spice cupboards and known for its spicy-hot taste, cayenne makes an excellent topical ointment that relieves joint pain. Capsaicin, the active ingredient in cayenne pepper, tricks the brain by causing local irritation to skin where signals then travel along nerve pathways, distracting the brain from the true source of pain. In time, repeated topical applications of cayenne pepper will reduce arthritis pain significantly. To make topical homemade remedies, mix 2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper with 1/2 cup of cocoa butter, lanolin or coconut oil. Apply it directly to the sore joint. Alternatively, mix 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper with 1 cup of apple cider vinegar and add to a foot bath with warm water. Soak hands or feet for 20 minutes, then rinse. Cayenne pepper can cause skin irritation.

Pectin Grape Juice

Homemade remedies made from fruit pectin and grape juice can relieve joint pain, and reduce swelling and stiffness. Pectin is found in the cells of many plants and acts as a thickener in preparations such as jellies. Grape juice is loaded with antioxidants, among them, anthocyanins, noted for its effect on reducing inflammation. Pectin regulates the flow of fluids in plant cells and is believed to act to relieve fluid buildup in the joints of arthritis sufferers. The best pectin is found at the health food stores and is free of MSG and other additives. Mix 1/2 cup of juice with 2 tablespoons pectin. Add water if needed and drink twice daily for 6 weeks. Reduce the frequency as symptoms disappear.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035251_arthritis_joint_pain_natural_remedies.html#ixzz2Ec6OKcig

Home Remedies for Gastritis

From: www.home-remedies-for-you.com

Gastritis can be described as a group of various conditions that have one thing in common; inflammation in the stomach lining. When this problem occurs all of a sudden or for a short while, it is known as acute gastritis, but if it occurs slowly and lasts for a long period of time, it is referred to as chronic gastritis.


Though anyone can suffer from this ailment, it is a lot more common in elderly people. Gastritis inflammation usually occurs because of a bacterial infection, though there are other factors that could also contribute to this affliction, such as:

• Regular use of pain killers that include ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen
• Consumption of excessive alcohol
• Severe stress because of a surgery, injury, burns or an infection
• Conditions like bile reflux disease, Crohn’s disease and parasitic infections

You may also develop a gastritis problem when your own body attacks the cells in the lining of your stomach. This is known as autoimmune gastritis and it is more likely to occur if you are suffering from autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto’s disease and diabetes (type-1). At times, the deficiency of Vitamin B12 could also lead to autoimmune gastritis.

Fortunately, this gastric problem is not a serious one and in most people, it can be treated without any trouble. In some rare instances, it could lead to ulcers or increase the risks of stomach cancer however. For this reason, it is best to ensure that gastritis is checked, treated and monitored by a doctor at all times.


Symptoms of Gastritis
Most people experience a bout of indigestion or stomach irritation at some point or the other. Some of the most common symptoms for gastritis include:

• Bad taste in the mouth
• Belching or passing gas excessively
• Black, tarry stools
• Coated tongue
• Diarrhea
• Fullness or bloating sensation in the upper abdominal area, which worsens after eating
• Halitosis or bad breath
• Heartburn
• Hiccups
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Severe pain or burning in the upper abdomen, which may become better or worse after you eat
• Weight loss, for no apparent reason

Usually, indigestion is short-lived and may not require any medical attention. These symptoms disappear when the infection is cured. There are some people who do not have any symptoms even when they are suffering from gastritis. However, at times, you may even experience a headache, because of dehydration, which could occur when you have diarrhea.

In some cases, gastritis could cause bleeding in the lining of the stomach. When this happens, the symptoms that occur include:

• Black and tarry stools
• Vomiting blood or throwing up a coffee ground-like substance

In case you notice any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical attention, without any delay.

Causes of Gastritis

There is a mucus-lined barrier that protects the walls of your stomach from the acids it produces for digestion. Gastritis occurs when this protective layer gets damaged or weakened, for any reason; any weakness in this mucus-lined barrier allows your digestive juices to inflame the lining of the stomach. There are several factors that could cause a weakening of the protective layer or barrier in your stomach; some of the causes are more common as compared to others.

Given below are some of the common causes of gastritis:

• Prolonged use of certain medications, such as aspirin, naproxen and ibuprofen
• Drinking an excessive amount of alcohol
• Helicobacter Pylori (G. Pylori) bacterial infection in the lining of the stomach (through contaminated food or water)

Some of the less common cases of gastritis include:

• Autoimmune disorders like pernicious anemia
• Being placed on a breathing machine
• Bile reflux, which is the backflow of bile into the stomach
• Consumption of corrosive or caustic substances, such as poison
• Excessive stress
• Trauma or a sudden severe illness like kidney failure or a major surgery
• Use of illegal drugs like cocaine
• Viral infections like herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus
• Weakened or compromised immune systems

Before trying to treat gastritis, your doctor will try to identify the causes. The treatment path suggested may vary, depending upon the specific cause of the condition.

Remedies for Gastritis

Most instances of acute gastritis are treated with medications, which could include antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors, acid blockers and antacids, depending upon the causes. However, if you are suffering from chronic gastritis, you may want to consider using natural cures to prevent or seek relief from this problem. Given below are some of the most common home and natural remedies for gastritis:

• Coconut Water: Once the symptoms of gastritis begin to surface, drink nothing but fresh coconut water for the first 24 hours or so. This will help the lining of your stomach heal faster.
• Licorice: You can help your gastrointestinal tract heal faster, by chewing on about 300mg to 600mg of licorice each day.
• Peppermint: There are volatile oils like menthol present in peppermint leaves, which improve digestion and relieve the symptoms of gastritis
• Papayas: The high amount of enzymes present in papaya makes the fruit excellent for digestive purposes. Eat papaya seeds or ripe papaya once a day to improve digestion.
• Goldenseal: The bacteria that cause an inflammation in the stomach lining are killed off by this herbal remedy. You can also relieve the symptoms of gastritis with goldenseal
• Ginger: This is regarded is one of the most effective remedies for gastritis, as it can give you relief from most of the symptoms. Ginger also helps heal the tissues of your stomach and intestines. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties present in ginger may also help to kill off the bacteria that cause gastritis.

Most of the natural remedies mentioned above are quite safe if used correctly. However, make sure that you consult your doctor before trying any of them, as not all of them are supported by scientific research.

Diet for Gastritis

It is possible to alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by acute or chronic gastritis, without taking any medication. To do that, you need to watch what you eat very carefully. Following a gastric diet can be highly beneficial, as it eases the symptoms and helps your stomach fight off the infection. A gastric diet is not like an eating plan that helps you lose weight. Instead, it tells you which foods you should eat and avoid, in order to recover from gastritis at a faster pace.

Given below is a list of foods that are good for gastritis:

• Bell peppers
• Blue berries
• Cherries
• Leafy green and dark green vegetables
• Lean meats
• Sea vegetables
• Skimmed, no-fat and low-fat dairy products
• Squash
• Whole grains

Beverages that are useful in the treatment of gastritis include:

• Carrot juice
• Coconut water
• Papaya juice
• Pineapple juice
• Spinach juice
• Water

There are several food items that should be avoided when you are suffering from gastritis, as they aggravate the condition. Given below is a list of foods to avoid in gastritis:

• Fruits like apples, grapefruit, cranberries, oranges and lemons
• Vegetables and legumes such as peas, dried beans, tomatoes, broccoli, onions, celery and cabbage
• Meat and fish varieties, especially pork, chicken nuggets, beef, buffalo wings, eel, salmon and herring
• Dairy products, that include whole milk, sour cream, cheese, cottage cheese and ice cream
• Spices like chili powder, red and black peppers, garlic and mustard
• Oil and fat, such as palm oil and salad dressing

In case you do suffer from gastritis, there are certain beverages that you need to avoid, like:

• Alcohol
• Coffee
• Tea
• Cola and other aerated drinks
• Cocoa and hot chocolate
• Citrus juices, such as lemonade, tomato juice and orange juice

Do consult your doctor before you make any changes to your diet.

Suggestion for Gastritis

Gastritis can be alleviated and prevented by incorporating a few simple lifestyle changes. Given below are a few suggestions for dealing with and preventing gastritis:

• Eat smaller meals at frequent intervals during the day, to ease the digestive process
• Avoid foods that could irritate your stomach, such as whole-milk and spicy, fried, fatty or acidic foods
• Limit your consumption of alcohol to one or two drinks a day
• Talk to your doctor about the painkillers you take regularly as well as the side-effects you may experience
• Adopt techniques to cope with stress, like meditation, yoga, deep breathing or tai chi
• Protect yourself from H. pylori infections by washing your hands with soap and water regularly
• Consume only those foods and beverages that you know have been prepared and stored under hygienic conditions (reducing risks of contamination)

Make it a point to speak with your health care provider, before you try out any home remedies or changes to your diet and lifestyle.

Finding Relief From Eye Allergies

From: www.webmd.com

People who have allergies are often quick to seek help for symptoms like sneezing, sniffling, and nasal congestion. But allergies can affect the eyes, too, causing red, itchy, burning, and watery eyes and swollen eyelids. The good news is that the same treatments and self-help strategies that ease nasal allergy symptoms work for eye allergies, too.

Eye allergies, also called ocular allergies or allergic conjunctivitis, affect one in five Americans. Though the symptoms they cause can be annoying -- not to mention unbecoming -- they pose little threat to eyesight other than temporary blurriness. But red, itchy, burning, and puffy eyes can be caused also by infections and other conditions that do threaten eyesight. So, it's smart to see your doctor if eye symptoms don't get better with self-help strategies or over-the-counter allergy remedies.


Like all allergies, eye allergies are caused by a glitch in the body’s immune system. The trouble starts when the conjunctiva (the mucous membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the whites of the eyes) comes into contact with something that, while actually harmless, is seen as a threat. In a mistaken attempt to fight off the threat, the immune system makes antibodies that cause your eyes to release histamine and other substances. That, in turn, makes eyes red, itchy, and watery. Eye allergy symptoms can happen alone or along with nasal allergy symptoms.

Allergies: Seasonal and Perennial

There are two types of eye allergies: seasonal, which are more common, and perennial.

Seasonal allergies happen only at certain times of the year—usually early spring through summer and into autumn. They’re caused by exposure to allergens in the air, commonly pollen from grasses, trees, and weeds, as well as spores from molds.

Perennial allergies occur throughout the year. They’re caused mostly by exposure to dust mites, feathers (as in bedding) and animal (pet) dander. Other substances, including perfumes, smoke, chlorine, air pollution, cosmetics, and certain medicines, can also play a role.

Sometimes, it’s easy to tell what’s causing an allergy -- for example, if symptoms strike when you go outside on a windy, high-pollen-count day, or when a furry friend climbs onto your lap. If it’s not clear just what you’re allergic to, a doctor can give you a simple test to find out.


Do-It-Yourself Allergy Relief

The first approach to controlling eye allergies should be to limit your exposure to allergy triggers:

• Stay indoors when pollen counts are highest, usually in mid-morning and early evening. Close the windows and run the air conditioner (window fans can draw in pollen and mold spores). If you go out, wearing eyeglasses or big sunglasses can help block pollen from your eyes. Driving? Keep the windows closed and run the air conditioner.
• Limit your exposure to dust mites by encasing your pillows in allergen-impermeable covers. Wash bedding frequently in water that’s at least 130 F. If your mattress is more than a few years old, consider getting a new one. Old mattresses are often teeming with allergens.
• Clean floors with a damp mop. Sweeping tends to stir up rather than get rid of allergens. Especially if a pet shares the house with you, consider replacing rugs and carpets, which trap and hold allergens, with hardwood, tile, or other flooring materials that are easier to clean. Go with blinds instead of curtains.
• To stop mold from growing inside your home, keep the humidity under 50%.  That might mean using a dehumidifier, especially in a damp basement. If so, clean the dehumidifier regularly. Clean your kitchen and bathrooms with a bleach solution.
• If your pet is causing your allergies, try to keep it outside as much as possible. At the very least, keep it out of your bedroom. Don't let it share your bed.
• Don’t rub your eyes. That’s likely to make symptoms worse. Try cool compresses instead.

Allergy Medications for Eyes

What if avoiding allergy triggers isn't enough to relieve eye allergy symptoms? Over-the-counter and prescription medications can provide short-term relief of some eye allergy symptoms, while prescription treatments can provide both short- and long-term help. Remedies include:

• Sterile saline rinses and eye lubricants can soothe irritated eyes and help flush out allergens.
• Decongestant eye drops can curb eye redness by constricting blood vessels in the eyes. But these drops tend to sting a bit, and they don’t relieve all symptoms. What’s more, their effect tends to be short-lived, and using them for more than a few days can cause ''rebound'' eye redness. 
• Eye drops containing ketotifen can relieve allergy symptoms for up to 12 hours. They won’t cause rebound redness even with long-term use.
• Refrigerating eye drops may help them provide additional relief of allergy symptoms.
• Oral antihistamines can also help. Loratadine (Claritin) and cetirizine (Zyrtec) tend to be less sedating than some older drugs, and they provide longer-lasting relief.

If these drugs aren’t enough to do the trick, a doctor can prescribe other eye drops, including combination antihistamine-mast cell stabilizers and corticosteroids. If allergies are especially severe or persistent, allergy shots (immunotherapy) can also help.