Does allergy season leave you sneezing and wheezing? Here are several tips to relieve your symptoms without breaking your budget.

Take your symptoms seriously. Allergy symptoms might be common and last several months, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t real and irritating. All of that sneezing, itchiness, congestion and more can really take a toll on your body. Treat yourself with extra care during allergy season. Get plenty of rest, eat well-balanced meals, and if you are truly feeling awful, don’t hesitate to take a sick day to give your body a chance to recover.

See an allergist before heading to the pharmacy. Don’t assume you know what you are allergic to just because you have been tested in the past. Allergies can change with age and with season, and you don’t want to spend money on medications that may not even ease your symptoms. It is best to consult with an allergist who can help you identify your allergies as well as a course of treatment instead of going it alone.

Go natural. While you won’t be able to stop an allergy attack mid-sneeze with a natural remedy, you may be able to prevent your symptoms from breaking out or from worsening by trying these alternative allergy treatments:

• Green tea. Before breaking out the Benadryl, sit down and have yourself a cup of tea. Green tea is full of natural antihistamines, making it terrific for allergy sufferers.
• Probiotics. This healthful bacteria, found in yogurts, kombucha and miso, helps regulate the immune system. Loading up on probiotics can help control autoimmune reactions, like allergy symptoms.
• Antioxidants. Quercetin, an antioxidant found in broccoli, onions, garlic, cabbage and apples, can prevent the immune system from releasing the histamines that cause allergy symptoms.

Go generic or over-the-counter. You can save a great deal of money by buying the generic version of the meds you need instead of the name brand. Similarly, over-the-counter (OTC) options might work just as well, so do your research before deciding which medications to take.

Once you upgrade your basic checking account to a Benefits Plus^® checking with SeaComm, you will gain access to up to 30% savings at pharmacies across the country. Simply take your prescription to a participating pharmacy, show your Benefits Plus^® membership card, and enjoy a discounted prescription price for you and your entire family! Click here to discover even more savings opportunities with Benefits Plus^®, or visit your local SeaComm branch to enroll.

For complete information, terms, conditions and exclusions please visit www.benefits-plus.org or call 866-329-7587.