Things like coughing, watery eyes and a sore throat can be sign of a cold. It may be a surprise to you that a lot of people with allergies have these types of symptoms regularly, especially during the changes in season. Learn how to battle the things that trigger your allergies with the tips listed in this article.
Sometimes, people are more apt to suffer from allergies as they age. For example, young children are more prone to food allergies because they are just being exposed to new foods. As infants grow into children, their exposure to protein allergens increases and they might develop an allergy to pollen. Do not discount the possibility of an allergic reaction in your child simply because there has never been a reaction to non-food allergens in the past.
On sunny days, you might want to open windows to let your house naturally cool. This could cause a flare-up with your allergies though. For best results, outfit your air conditioner with a HEPA filter, which will reduce the amount of allergens indoors. Although air conditioned air may not create as nice of a breeze, you will breathe easier.
Before getting a pet, you should research to learn which pets are less likely to cause allergy problems. All animals may bother one’s allergies, but animals with long hair make it even worse. As long as you consistently bathe the animals and do not allow it to sleep with you, you shouldn’t have that much of an issue.
If you suffer from allergies and want a pet, consider one with short hair. You can find a dog or cat that doesn’t shed all over the place to reduce the chances of you having a bad allergic reaction. Don’t let you pets sleep in your bed if you don’t want to have an allergic reaction.
While tests can be performed that identify what you are allergic to, no one can predict how severe your reactions will be. For instance, a test can tell you that you have an allergy to a specific type of spore. You could very well be experiencing mild allergy symptoms that do not really harm your body all that much though.
You can cut down on mildew and mold by making sure that you have plenty of ventilation in your bathroom. Moist, warm temperatures create a breeding ground for these common allergens. Hang your washcloths and towels on your towel rack or over the shower curtain rod. Be sure to have a fan going after you shower. If your bathroom does not contain a fan, open a window to let cold air in.
If you’re exercising when pollen levels are high, try doing it in the late evening or early morning. Pollen levels are highest in the period between late morning and early evening; stay indoors during these times and you can avoid high concentrations of these allergens.
Skin tests can detect the presence of an allergy, but they are far less useful for predicting how severe the reaction will be when you encounter the allergen in the real world. For instance, you a test may reveal that you’re allergic to a specific spore. It is possible, however, that you may experience extremely mild symptoms in the presence of the allergen; you may not notice any discomfort at all.
If your child suffers from food allergies and you will be traveling, it would be wise to bring foods that you know are safe for your child. It can be hard to find out if foods have allergens in them, which can cause a reaction.
Pollen Levels
Learn new ways to cope with stress. Many allergy sufferers are not aware that their stress levels can affect their susceptibility to allergy attacks. This is especially true for anyone who is asthmatic. High stress levels increase the chance that a person will suffer an asthma attack. Although, it won’t cure allergies, it will help the amount of allergic reactions experienced.
If you’re exercising when pollen levels are high, try doing it in the late evening or early morning. These are the times of day when pollen levels are less threatening, which will allow you a more vigorous and comfortable work out environment.
Try and make sure you cure your allergic reactions rather than avoid becoming allergic. If your allergies cause your eyes to become dry, always keep a lubricating eye drop on hand. Someone with a scratchy throat might want to have lozenges at the ready.
Think about pulling up the carpet in your home. Carpeting is a magnet for allergens such as pollen, dust and dust mites. If you have carpet all over your house try to consider switching to either wood or tile floors, if you are able to pay for it. That way, you can greatly limit the number of allergens in the air. If you can’t, vacuum every day.
When and where you exercise may have a tremendous effect on the type of allergic reactions you experience. You breathe deeper and harder as you continue to exercise. If you exercise inside rather than outdoors and try to do so during off-peak pollen times, you should minimize the influence of allergies to your routine.
Natural Remedies
If you are an allergy sufferer try to limit the amount of what you take in that effects you the most. Frequent cleaning can help minimize the amount of dust in your home, if that’s what sets your allergies off. To minimize symptoms caused by pets, extra-careful grooming may be necessary, or in extreme cases, it might be best to find them new homes. You can also reduce the amount of pet dander in your home by regularly dusting and vacuuming.
There are some natural remedies available for people who suffer from allergies. These natural remedies work well to help you fight reactions to pollens and other common allergy triggers. They will reduce a sneezing, runny nose, and itching and swelling in a natural way.
Be sure your doctor knows if you take an over the counter allergy medication. If your doctor has prescribed an allergy medication, be sure to follow in doctors’ orders. Doctors can advise you on which medications are best for the specific symptoms you have.
Where and when you exercise can play a part in allergic reactions. Strenuous exercise involves heavy breathing. If you exercise inside and at the time the pollen population is not as high, it will reduce your pollen intake.
Always store garbage outside of your home. Bugs and mice are attracted to garbage. Allergies are often exacerbated by mouse excrement. If rodents are still present in your home after moving the trash outdoors, consider purchasing some traps. If you do not experience success, think about using poison.
Select antiperspirants with care. Antiperspirants typically have ingredients that aren’t good for your skin. As a result, they can cause you to break out after you shave, which eventually get into your pores. Such ingredients may be very detrimental to your skin.
Your child may need to have allergy medication at the ready at school. Make sure to ask your doctor for a note which details any allergy problems. Supply your child’s school with a few doses of allergy medication so that they are prepared for emergencies. Make sure the school knows about your child’s specific allergies, and keep a list in their backpack too in case of a medical emergency.
It is important for your bathroom to be kept clean. Mold loves to grow in bathrooms, so be sure to clean it weekly. Clean your bathrooms and get rid of all mold. This can prevent mold from accumulating and worsening your allergies.
When you are ready to go on vacation, you may try to hurry and pick a vacation spot. This can be risky if you or one of your brood is an allergy sufferer. Before you go, think about researching what’s going on weather wise. Also, look at the pollen counts.
Don’t be shocked if your allergen tests show positive reactions to several different allergens. Lots of people come in contact with allergens every day, but they don’t necessarily develop allergic reactions to them. With the exception of very serious cases, there are allergies that can remain undiagnosed for long periods of time because no symptoms ever emerge.
An excellent way to decrease allergen exposure is to eliminate all your home’s permanent carpeting. Hair and dust collect in carpets and cause many allergy problems. If you replace the carpet with hardwood floors, you can place a throw rug on top and have it cleaned to get rid of allergens.
Being sure to dust the entire home weekly will help keep your allergies under control. Even though many people do not dust until they can see the dust on surfaces, it is much better to simply dust on the same day each week. When you do this, you will notice your allergy symptoms dramatically reduced.
If someone in your family suffers from a food allergy, your best bet is to not bring the food item in question into your home. Keeping foods out of the house that could trigger serious allergic reactions removes the chance of someone accidentally ingesting them.
Make sure your home has a humidifier. This will stop those particles that cause allergies in the air. The droplets of water from the humidifier attracts airborne allergen particles and traps them. This can prevent them from entering the air you breathe normally.
When you have seasonal allergies, shampoo your hair often. Hair can trap things such as pollen, dust, and pet dander. And taking showers and practicing good hygiene in general keeps your body healthy and allergy free. Therefore, it is essential that hair be washed daily, preferably before bedtime.
Reduce allergens in your home by removing the carpet. Carpeting typically collect the dust and hair that can cause allergic reactions. If you use rugs over wood flooring, you should take them to be dry cleaned at least every other week to get rid of allergens that build up.
Keep diphenhydramine pills (an over-the-counter antihistamine) on your person if you have severe allergic reactions. Although it is not used for all allergic reactions, this drug can help in the case of allergic reactions caused by histamines.
A lot of people are allergic to their pets due to the dander they carry. If this is the case, give your dog or cat or any other pet a bath on a consistent basis. Most likely, your pet’s skin flakes, or dander, is the trigger for your allergies, and keeping them bathed regularly cuts down on dander. Try to have someone who is not allergic do the actual bathing, since dander can be released during the bath, causing an onset of symptoms.
Don’t fight your allergies by yourself. There is no reason why you should be condemned to a lifetime of sneezing, sniffling and battling your symptoms. If medications over the counter do not work, consult your doctor. Only a professional can give you a prescription medication for your allergies, and having a prescription med might be the only option that works for you.
Some allergy sufferers are relatively lucky, because they have triggers that are easy for them to avoid. Food allergies (such as sensitivity to peanuts or strawberries) would be one example. On the other hand, if you suffer from pollen or dander allergies, it can be rather difficult to deal with. Keep these tips in mind so that you can stop your symptoms.
Talk to your physician about the options that you have. It’s not uncommon for allergy sufferers to try to handle symptoms on their own without much luck. However, a doctor has knowledge about what causes allergies and which options are best for you personally. Talk to your doctor regarding treatment options; she may have new remedies to offer that you have not considered.