For many people, spring means the coming of blooming flowers, singing birds, and sunny skies, but for other people, it just means sneezing, runny noses, and itchy eyes. If allergies have been getting you down, this article can provide the ideas you need to cope with your seasonal allergies.
Some people are allergic to creepy little pests called dust mites. These little havoc-causers absolutely love to cling to pillows, carpet fibers, mattresses, clothes, and other materials. Yuck! Use special covers and cases for your mattresses and pillows to fend of these nasty creatures. You also need to wash your bedding in some hot water every week as that kills them.
In the interest of safety, you should always try new allergy medications while safe at home. It is common for such drugs to be made with substances that tend to cause drowsiness. Even when there is no severe warning listed on the label, take the initial dose whey you are in the comfort of your own home and do not need to operate a vehicle or anything else potentially hazardous if you become drowsy.
Sometimes, people are more apt to suffer from allergies as they age. Babies may be allergic to a number of types of foods when first introduced to them. As babies grow into children, they are exposed to different protein allergens and may later develop allergies to pollen. If you see your children displaying allergy symptoms in response to sports or pollen, don’t assume they couldn’t be a real allergic reaction just because they haven’t shown signs of non-food allergies in the past.
If you have the chance to choose, avoid placing large rugs or carpets in any rooms inside your house. Carpet is very hard to clean and the fibers inside the carpet hold onto mites, dusts, pollen, dander and other particles that could irritate allergy sufferers. Just get flooring that can be easily mopped or swept.
Exercising outside can expose you to a lot of pollen, so the pick the right times to exercise. Try going out in either the dawn or dusk hours. It has been shown through numerous studies that pollen levels rise during mid day, but are lowest during the morning and early evening.
An allergy skin test can show what substances a patient is allergic to; however, it may not indicate the severity of the allergies. For instance, the test may show that you are sensitive to one type of spore. However, that spore may only result in a mild reaction or you might not have a reaction at all.
Don’t give up on allergy medications if the first one you try doesn’t work. There are plenty of allergy treatments besides oral medications. You might try eye drops, a nasal spray, or get a prescription from your doctor for leukotriene blockers.
Consider going without carpet. Pollen and dust tends to gather on carpets. If your house is carpeted, you may want to consider switching to laminate or hardwood floors instead. This will reduce the amount of allergens in your home. If new flooring is not currently an option, at least try to vacuum your carpets once daily.
People who battle the effects of allergies have many all-natural options to choose from. Some homeopathic treatments are said to work just as well as over-the-counter medications. The key is to find the one that works for you. If they help you to breathe easier, then you found a winner!
Keeping yourself hydrated is an easy way to prevent and treat many bronchial allergy symptoms. If you don’t have a sufficient amount of fluids in your body, your mucus membranes can get dry. A deficient amount of hydration also harms your bronchial airways which cause mucosal glands to secrete fluid that is hard to break up.
If allergies always cause the same kind of symptoms in you, you can treat the symptoms instead of avoiding the allergen. Thus, someone who is plagued by dry eyes ought to keep eye drops on hand. If you sneeze often, treat that symptom with an antihistamine.
In western states, decorative olive trees are becoming increasingly popular as a landscaping element. However, these trees produce huge amounts of pollen. Never plant this particular tree if you have allergies, and it also helps if you can spot this tree to avoid it. One solution that people have found for dealing with these trees is to hose them down for a few minutes per day.
Talk to a doctor before taking any allergy medicine. A doctor can direct you on the proper way to take your medication, as well as ensure that it is the right medication for you to take.
Stress Levels
Don’t forget your medication when you go on vacation. It is quite possible that you will encounter unexpected types of allergens along the way. If you’ve ever suffered from a severe reaction due to allergies, it may be wise to carry around an Epi-pen, as well. The measured doses of epinephrine in the pens contain may be able to halt a severe episode.
Keep an eye on your stress levels. Stress can have a dramatic impact on the body’s allergic reactions, although a lot of people are not aware of it. This is even more true for asthmatics. Asthma attacks are more likely in those experiencing increased stress levels. This isn’t a cure, but may help you have fewer, less severe attacks.
Try not to use hair styling products in your hair. These products will create tar-pit-like trap, easily capturing allergens. But, such styling items tend to attract pollen, which will surely make your allergies worse.
It’s important to keep bathrooms clean. Because bathrooms are the number one place to develop mold, they need cleaning at least one time every week. Wipe down your walls using a water and bleach mixture to fight mold. This prevents mold from building up over time and causing your allergies to worsen.
Make sure you are taking your allergy medication as directed by the label (for OTC medication) or your doctor (for prescription medication). Certain medications only produce relief after several days of use. You shouldn’t expect instant allergy relief. Be sure to talk to a doctor about the proper usage.
Always keep any allergy medications with you if you will be traveling. You may have no trouble for a long period, and then suddenly have an allergy attack when you least expect it. If you have a history of serious allergic reactions, it may be wise to bring your own Epi-pen too. This product can reduce the severity of an attack and give you enough time to seek further medical attention.
Use a laundry detergent that has a light fragrance. When you hang your clothes out to dry, they smell like the sun. But, it can also boost your chances of encountering spores and pollen. This should only be used by those who don’t have a sensitivity to fragrances and dyes.
When it is the height of allergy season, it’s a good idea to wear your hair naturally and not use excessive hair products. When outside, your hair can attract allergens like pollen. Styling products are often pollen magnets, and will turn your hair into an allergen mess.
Those who suffer from allergies should use the vacuum a lot. Free-floating allergens are reduced in this manner. Make sure your vacuum is still doing its job. Old vacuums often put the allergens back in the air. Many new vacuums contain HEPA filters. These filters are great for removing up to 99% of the dust and debris in the air that cause allergies.
Local News
A great way to reduce your allergy symptoms is to dust every week. Some people don’t dust often enough, but in doing so you do you may find that the allergies are a little easier to deal with due to the lack of dust in your home.
Never open up any windows during the hours that the pollen is extremely high. While it is good to get fresh air inside your home, you want to avoid opening windows when the pollen is the highest outside. Watch your local news program to see when pollen is highest in your area, or visit the weather section of local news websites to learn about times and levels. Air your home out before or after these hours.
Mold might be the indoor allergy culprit in your home. A quick way to decrease mold in your house is to clean your refrigerator seals regularly. A lot of mold builds here that people neglect. If you do not clean it on a regular basis, mold spores will fly through the air whenever the door is opened or closed.
If you have a school-aged child who suffers from allergies, he or she may have medication in case of a severe reaction. When your child is going to school, however, you might encounter some issues with having these medications around other children. Be sure the school knows about the condition and the medicine. It would be wise to provide your child’s school with a few doses of allergy medication, just in case an emergency arises. A list of allergens that are likely to trouble your child can be quite handy. See that the school has one and have your child carry a copy as well.
Keep your windows closed during the daytime hours because it is the time that pollen is most prevalent. To keep yourself and your home cool, keep the air conditioner on in allergy season.
Keep your home clean. People are usually allergic to a number of things; cleaning your environment can get rid of many allergens. Clean as much as you can.
If possible, remove all traces of carpeting from your house; this helps to decrease the amount of allergens in your living areas. Common allergens like dust and dander often collect in carpets. Making sure to replace carpet with hardwood, linoleum, tile or another other substance that doesn’t trap allergens will go a long way to ensuring a clean and healthy homestead.
Allergies are an issue that can make life much more difficult. However, you need not sit back and simply suffer with your allergies. There are many different treatment options available that can you to manage your allergy symptoms effectively. For relief as soon as possible, try the tips from this article.
A lot of people in living in big cities become allergic to all of the smog and congestion. If you live in the city and always find yourself congested then consider taking a trip outside of the city for a week. See how you feel, and when you return you may realize all of the smog is giving you allergies.