My allergies are out of control this year. Perhaps it's because I live in a high-rise, with a 44-story one being built right behind it. Or, perhaps it's due to the countless other construction projects in my area. It could be due to my two adorable cats. Oh yeah, and I assure you I have no plans to get a third and risk being labeled a weird cat lady.

Whatever the reasons, my allergies just keep acting up, and it's way past pollen season. The most common symptom I have is having to blow my nose in the morning. (Am I really discussing this in a public forum?)

A recent and even more uncomfy reaction to the dust, cat hairs and whatever else is floating in the air around here is a sore throat.

No matter how often my place is cleaned, which is frequent, or how much Vitamin-C I take, these symptoms keep occurring. But, the good news is that I have definitely figured out a one-two-three punch remedy to cure a sore throat, and this also helps with the need to blow my nose each morning.

Punch One The neti pot! Not sure if you caught this featured on Oprah. I certainly did not as I do not watch that show, but heard about it. Anyway, the neti pot is a really cool product, and do not be afraid of it!

Okay, it's understandable that those new to the neti pot may be a bit reluctant, being that it is used for nasal irrigation. Yes, nasal irrigation! At risk of losing you here, I will leave the detailed instructions on how to do this to the neti pot manufacturers.

Simply put, though, nasal irrigation consists of flushing your nasal passages with saline solution. I make my own by filling the pot with luke warm water and adding kosher salt. It's cheaper than buying the packaged salt made specifically for this purpose, and it is listed as an option.

As someone who is a fan of the results of this centuries-old Eastern practice, let me assure you that it is not gross or hard to use the neti pot, and you will feel much better after you do! It also only takes a couple of minutes, and common use of the neti pot will help fight allergies, sore throats and sinus issues.

An added bonus is you then have bragging rights that you have used a neti pot! Seriously. When I was buying mine at a Whole Foods, the person in line in front of me noticed it and commented she had heard they were great but was afraid to try it. That somehow gave me pride that I could handle this process!

Punch Two

While it's not as much of a walk on the wild side as the neti pot, drinking warm water with a squirt of lemon juice and a bit of honey really does help sooth a sore throat. And, if you have allergies like I do, you may want to try local honey. Honey produced by local bees, if consumed over time, will help you build up your resistance to allergens in your area. Pretty neat, eh?

Punch Three

Finally, I am not a New Age chic, and have no problems taking a pill or two to ease pain. When my throat is sore due to allergies, I find that Claritin-D 12-hour really does the trick. My recommendation is to take it in the morning versus at night. I also prefer the 12-hour over the 24-hour as it makes me less jittery.

While this is over the counter, you will need to get it from your pharmacist from behind the counter. You can alwasy consult with him to get advice on what which dosage will meet your needs. I have found pharmacists to be such great resources before taking any over-the-counter meds.

Sore Throat Be Gone!

That's it - the one-two-three punch to ease a sore throat. I have found this to be very successful when the sore throat is caused by drainage due to allergies. Of course, who am I to remind you -- BUT -- be sure to consult a doctor if a sore throat persists. The one-two-three punch would more than likely not work for an infection, as it would require antibiotics.

Hope you have success with these suggestions, as having a sore throat is no fun whatsoever.