Several other types of allergy treatment are occasionally used, though they have not been clinically shown to be effective. These alternative allergy treatments are generally not accepted or used by licensed physicians or other licensed healthcare providers. Still, many of these therapies are popular and available without a prescription. An individual should discuss any alternative treatments with their physician before using them. These treatments include:

• Homeopathy. Homeopathic remedies usually vary by patient. However, some common types of remedies include raw onion (for nasal discharge), eyebright (an herb for eye care) and trioxide of arsenic (for sneezing and nasal discharge).
  
  
• Acupuncture. This treatment involves the placement of needles into specific points in the skin. The procedure is said to relieve allergic rhinitis symptoms.
  
  
• Traditional Chinese Medicine. This culturally influenced field of treatment includes the use of Chinese skullcap (herb with high content of antioxidants) as an anti-inflammatory with antihistamine properties and biminne (Chinese herbal formula) for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Home remedies have always been a popular treatment for relief from allergies. Most home remedies have not been clinically tested and have not been shown to be effective in any controlled studies. People should be careful using any type of home remedy and always consult a physician before their use. Some popular home remedies include:

• Castor oil. This substance is a natural emollient that comes from the seeds of the castor plant. It is often used to treat allergies of the intestinal tract, skin and nasal passages.
  
  
• Lime. Lime juice is believed by some people to be capable of flushing toxins out of the body and preventing allergies from occurring.
  
  
• Bananas. This type of food is believed to be useful in treating certain food allergies and can prevent the resulting skin rashes, digestive disorders and asthma. It should be noted that some people have a specific food allergy to bananas.
  
  
• Vitamin C. This vitamin is commonly found in many fruits and vegetables and helps keep the immune system functioning properly. Recent studies have shown it may be effective at treating allergies by lowering histamine levels in the bloodstream.

While rarely used, some types of surgical procedures are effective at reducing allergy symptoms. These include:

• Adenoidectomy (surgical removal of the adenoid glands at the back of the throat). Occasionally a patient will have their adenoids surgically removed to help prevent sinusitis or a related allergy condition.  
  
  
• Myringotomy (surgical insertion of tubes in the eardrums to drain fluid). This procedure equalizes the pressure between the middle and outer ear. It may be performed to relieve recurrent ear infections or hearing loss due to fluid buildup.