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Allergies

Sneezing, itchy eyes, hives or worse when the immune system overreacts to something usually harmless — pollen, dust, pets, foods, stings or medicines.

What is an allergy?

An allergy is your immune system overreacting to something that is normally harmless, such as pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander, certain foods, insect stings or a medicine. Reactions can be as mild as a runny nose or as serious as swelling that blocks the airway (Cleveland Clinic).

Seasonal and environmental allergies (hay fever)

Allergic rhinitis, often called hay fever, causes sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, and itchy, watery eyes, nose or throat. Later on it can bring a cough, blocked ears, puffy eyes, tiredness and headaches (MedlinePlus). Seasonal hay fever comes from wind-blown pollen from trees, grasses and ragweed; pollen levels tend to be higher on hot, dry, windy days and lower when it is cool and rainy. Dust, mold and animal dander can cause similar symptoms year-round, and allergies often run in families (MedlinePlus).

Food allergies

A food allergy is an immune reaction to a protein in a food. It is different from a food intolerance, and reactions range from mild to life-threatening (ACAAI). In the U.S., nine foods are recognized as major allergens: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame (FDA). Symptoms usually start within minutes to a couple of hours and can include hives, tingling in the mouth, swelling of the lips or throat, vomiting, stomach cramps, wheezing and dizziness (FDA, ACAAI). Milk and egg allergies in children are often outgrown; peanut and tree-nut allergies usually last (ACAAI).

Anaphylaxis: the emergency

Anaphylaxis is a severe, whole-body allergic reaction that can come on within seconds or minutes. Foods, insect stings, latex and some medicines are common triggers (ACAAI, MedlinePlus).

Signs of anaphylaxis — act right away. Trouble breathing, wheezing, a hoarse voice or tight throat; swelling of the face, lips or tongue; hives spreading over the body; trouble swallowing; vomiting or stomach pain; dizziness, fainting or a racing heart; or a sudden sense that something is very wrong (MedlinePlus, ACAAI).

No herbal remedy, acupuncture or other complementary approach can treat anaphylaxis.

When to see a doctor: if hay fever symptoms are severe, if a treatment that used to work has stopped working, or if symptoms don’t respond to treatment (MedlinePlus). Anyone who has had a serious reaction should see an allergist to identify the trigger and make a plan (ACAAI).

Side by side

Six approaches compared

For every condition we look at the same six approaches: what each involves, what it typically costs, and what a patient can realistically expect.

ApproachWhat it involves Estimated costWhat to expect
Conventional medicine (AMA) Avoiding triggers, antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays, allergy testing, allergy shots or under-the-tongue tablets, and epinephrine for anyone at risk of a severe reaction. Allergy tests about $99–$570 in published examples; allergy shots about $1,000–$4,000+ for the first year without insurance; a generic epinephrine two-pack about $169–$379 with a discount card. Nasal steroid sprays are the most effective everyday treatment but can take a couple of weeks to work fully. Allergy shots take months to build up and usually continue for 3–5 years.
Chiropractic Being researched — coming soon.
Acupuncture A course of needle treatments, usually weekly or twice weekly over several weeks, alongside normal allergy medicine. About $125–$230 for a first visit and $90–$185 for follow-ups; community clinics about $50–$90. Some trial evidence of modest benefit for hay fever, including less antihistamine use; in the largest trial the advantage faded after treatment stopped. Ear, nose and throat guidelines list it as an option. Not for food allergies or anaphylaxis.
Herbal medicine Butterbur (PA-free products only), stinging nettle and quercetin are the herbs most often tried for hay fever. Cost estimate being researched. Weak or mixed evidence. Butterbur carries a liver-safety warning; nettle and quercetin can interact with medicines. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Massage therapy Being researched — coming soon.
MBHA Wellness Coach Cutting triggers at home, tracking pollen counts, safe saline rinses, reading food labels and keeping an emergency action plan up to date. Cost estimate being researched. Practical habits that reduce exposure and make medical treatment work better. Saline rinsing has reasonably good evidence for modest relief.

Approach 1 of 6

Conventional medicine (AMA)

Allergy care usually starts with finding out what you react to, cutting down your exposure, and using medicine to control symptoms (Cleveland Clinic).

1. Allergy testing

Skin-prick tests are the most common allergy test; blood tests that measure allergy antibodies (IgE) are used when skin testing isn’t possible (MedlinePlus). Ear, nose and throat specialists recommend testing when first treatment doesn’t work, the diagnosis is unclear, or the exact trigger needs to be known to guide treatment (AAO-HNS guideline, 2015). For food allergy, a positive test alone doesn’t prove an allergy; a supervised oral food challenge is the most accurate test, and broad “panels” of many foods should be avoided (ACAAI).

2. Avoiding triggers

Avoidance is the most important step, especially for allergies that could cause anaphylaxis (Cleveland Clinic). It isn’t always fully possible with pollen, but reducing exposure usually helps (MedlinePlus). See MBHA Wellness Coach below for practical steps.

3. Medicines for hay fever

4. Allergy shots and under-the-tongue tablets (immunotherapy)

Immunotherapy gives gradually increasing amounts of the allergen so the immune system becomes less reactive. Allergy shots are the most widely used and most effective form, and the only treatment that changes the immune response itself (ACAAI). Shots are usually given once or twice a week for about 3–6 months while the dose builds up, then every 2–4 weeks for about 3–5 years (AAAAI). Serious reactions are rare but possible, so shots are given only where staff can treat them (AAAAI). FDA-approved tablets that dissolve under the tongue are a no-needle option for some allergies; allergy drops are not FDA-approved (ACAAI). Guidelines recommend offering immunotherapy when medicines and avoidance aren’t enough (AAO-HNS guideline).

5. Food allergies

  • Strict avoidance and careful label reading are the main treatment (ACAAI, FDA).
  • People at risk of anaphylaxis should carry two epinephrine doses at all times (ACAAI).
  • For some children with peanut allergy, an FDA-approved oral immunotherapy can lower the risk of a reaction, but it is not a cure; omalizumab (Xolair) injections can also reduce reactions, but are not an emergency treatment and don’t replace avoidance (ACAAI).
  • For babies at high risk (severe eczema or egg allergy), U.S. guidelines support introducing peanut-containing foods early once a doctor says it’s safe. Never give whole peanuts to infants — they are a choking risk (ACAAI).

What it costs

  • Allergy testing: published examples run from about $99 for a basic blood test to about $570 for a food skin-prick panel with a new-patient visit; these are examples, not a national average (The Pricer).
  • Allergy shots: roughly $1,000–$4,000+ for the first year when paying yourself, depending on the clinic and schedule; many insurance plans cover medically necessary immunotherapy (The Pricer).
  • Epinephrine auto-injectors: a generic two-pack was listed at about $169–$379 with a discount card, depending on the pharmacy (price listing: SingleCare); prices change.
  • Over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal sprays: MBHA cost estimate being researched.

How well it works — what to expect

Most hay fever can be controlled with medicine, and some people — especially children — outgrow an allergy (MedlinePlus). After a full course of immunotherapy some people stay symptom-free for a long time, while others find symptoms return (AAAAI).

Find a medical doctor in our directory

Approach 3 of 6

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been studied more for hay fever than most complementary approaches, and the results are cautiously encouraging. It is for seasonal or year-round nasal allergy symptoms only — not for food allergies or anaphylaxis.

What the research says

In short: acupuncture may offer modest extra relief during allergy season, best used alongside — not instead of — standard treatment.

Safety

Complications are uncommon when acupuncture is done properly with sterile, single-use needles, but poor technique can cause infections or injury, so choose a licensed practitioner (NCCIH).

What it costs

Private sessions run about $125–$230 for a first visit and $90–$185 for follow-ups; community clinics about $50–$90 a visit (The Pricer). The trial above used 12 sessions, so a course can add up.

Find an acupuncturist in our directory

Approach 4 of 6

Herbal medicine

Several herbs are sold for hay fever. The evidence is limited, and “natural” doesn’t mean safe with your other medicines. The national ear, nose and throat guideline makes no recommendation for or against herbal therapy (AAO-HNS guideline), and the NIH calls the evidence for complementary approaches limited or conflicting (NCCIH). Herbs have no role in treating food allergy or anaphylaxis.

Butterbur

Some studies of butterbur extracts suggest they may ease hay fever symptoms (NCCIH); one 2002 trial of 125 people found a butterbur extract worked about as well as the antihistamine cetirizine over two weeks (trial, BMJ). Overall, though, the NIH says the data are not convincing (NCCIH).

Liver warning. The raw butterbur plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which can damage the liver and lungs and may cause cancer. Only use products processed to remove PAs and labeled or certified “PA-free” — and even with these, rare cases of liver injury have been reported. Avoid butterbur if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or allergic to ragweed, daisies, marigolds or chrysanthemums (NCCIH).

Stinging nettle

A small 1990 study found people rated freeze-dried nettle slightly better than placebo (study, Planta Medica), but a 2017 placebo-controlled trial found symptoms improved just as much on placebo (trial, Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research). Memorial Sloan Kettering concludes evidence is lacking. Nettle may add to the effects of diuretics (“water pills”) and blood-pressure medicines and may interact with other drugs (Memorial Sloan Kettering).

Quercetin

Quercetin is a plant compound found in many foods. Lab studies show it can reduce histamine release, but it hasn’t been tested for allergies in clinical trials. As a supplement it may interact with several medicines, including losartan and warfarin (Memorial Sloan Kettering).

Honey and probiotics

There is no convincing evidence that honey relieves seasonal allergies, and it should never be given to babies under 1. Probiotics show some promise, but products differ so much that firm conclusions aren’t possible (NCCIH).

Before you try any supplement, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, especially if you take other medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are buying for a child (NCCIH, NCCIH). We don’t list doses here.

Approach 6 of 6

MBHA Wellness Coach

An MBHA Wellness Coach can help you turn medical advice into daily habits — fewer triggers at home, smarter timing outdoors, and being ready for an emergency.

Cutting triggers at home

Tracking pollen

Saline nose rinses — with safe water

Rinsing the nose with salt water has reasonably good evidence for modest relief of seasonal allergy symptoms (NCCIH). The water matters: plain tap water is not safe for nasal rinsing because of a rare risk of serious infection (NCCIH). The FDA advises using:

  • water labeled distilled or sterile; or
  • tap water boiled for 3–5 minutes, cooled to lukewarm, kept in a clean closed container and used within 24 hours; or
  • water passed through a filter designed to trap infectious organisms (FDA).

Wash and dry the device after each use. Ask your pediatrician before using one with a child, and talk with a provider first if your immune system is weakened (FDA).

Reading food labels

Your emergency action plan

Still being researched: Chiropractic, Massage therapy. We add each approach once its costs and results are sourced. Are you a practitioner with experience treating Allergies? Tell us.

Member stories

Living with Allergies? Share your experience

Real experiences help others choose. Tell us what you tried — conventional medicine, chiropractic, acupuncture, herbs, massage or coaching — what it cost and what changed.

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Which approaches have you tried?

What did you try, what did it cost, and what changed for you? Please leave out anything you’d rather keep private.

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Sources

This page is for education only and is not medical advice. Costs are typical U.S. ranges and estimates; yours will depend on your provider, location and insurance. Talk with your doctor before starting, stopping or combining any treatment. In an emergency, call 911. See our disclaimer.

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