You are likely very familiar with allergies. You may have allergies or know people that do, and you know how debilitating they can be. Either way, you most likely have seen the irritating symptoms people have to deal with. This article contains advice that you or your loved ones can use to put an end to suffering from allergy symptoms.
For safety’s sake, remember to use over-the-counter antihistamine when you are at home. Most of these products have ingredients that could make you sleepy or disturb your reflexes. Make sure you stay inside when you first take your medications so you know how they affect you.
Just to be safe, you want to test any new over the counter antihistamines at home. Most of these products have ingredients that could make you sleepy or disturb your reflexes. Even if no harsh warnings are listed on the product packaging, take the first few doses at a time when you can just lounge on the sofa and don’t have to get behind the wheel.
Get rid of carpeting and avoid using rugs. Keeping carpet spotless and clean is practically a lost cause; the fibers can house vast quantities of mites, pet dander, dust and other common allergens. Flooring that can be swept and easily mopped is best for allergy sufferers.
If you can, do not have carpet or rugs in your house. It is virtually impossible to get carpet entirely clean, and its fibers grab hold of dander, pollen, dust and mites which can be extremely problematic for those with allergies. Your best bet is to stay with the types of flooring that can be swept and mopped easily.
Sometimes, people are more apt to suffer from allergies as they age. For instance, babies experience proteins first through the food they eat, and that explains how many food allergies some babies can have. As they age, they may become tolerant of some allergens, and can become sensitive to new ones as they are introduced to them. If your kid develops allergy symptoms to spores or pollen, don’t rule out serious allergic reactions just because they’re not food.
If you do your workouts outdoors, schedule your workouts around dawn or dusk during peak allergy season. It’s been proven that this is when levels of pollen are lowest, so you’ll be more comfortable at these times.
For animal lovers out there who also suffer from allergies, it’s best if you select some type of pet with shorter hair. All pets tend to upset allergies, but those that have long hair are worse to deal with. You also want to avoid sleeping with your pets if you don’t want to have an allergic reaction.
It is possible your carpet is an allergy culprit. Carpet is a very common place for pollen and dust, that is why it is very common to find dead dust mites in them. If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, consider switching to wood, laminate or tile floors, if finances allow. Just this change will really make a big difference in the allergy-inducing substances you inhale everyday. If you can’t replace your carpet, be sure to use a vacuum cleaner every day.
To prevent mold and mildew, you should keep your bathroom ventilated well. Such allergens proliferate in warm, wet areas. Keep wet towels and washcloths hung on bars, and turn on a fan after showering. If your house is not equipped with a fan, open a window to get some air moving.
Avoid anything with a colorant as you might be allergic to it. Even your toilet tissue could have dye in it. Use white paper products only, like paper towels, to see if that relieves allergy symptoms.
Skin tests can help you figure out what you are allergic to, although they do not really help you understand how allergic you are to something. For instance, you a test may reveal that you’re allergic to a specific spore. It’s possible to have mild or even no symptoms when near allergens.
Don’t give up on allergy medications if the first one you try doesn’t work. Besides oral medication, there are other options for allergy relief. Allergy treatments include everything from eye drops and nasal sprays to prescription leukotriene blockers and steroids.
You can actually pick up pollen and dust throughout the day that can harm you later. It’s definitely true! As your go through your day, your clothing, hair and body might pick up outdoor dust and pollen. By day’s end, particularly when you climb into bed, such material has the ability to disrupt your breathing. To avoid this, make sure that you shower and clean constantly. If you don’t, you’ll suffer from more reactions.
Carefully choose non allergenic antiperspirants. Many common ingredients are very harsh chemicals which can aggravate skin, and if you are prone to allergies, these may be even harder on you. Those ingredients could cause both you and your skin damage.
Olive trees are beautiful and add design elements to your landscape. They are especially popular in Western states. Unfortunately, these trees produce a huge amount of pollen. If you know what they look like you can stay away from them! Watering problem trees can greatly cut back on their pollen production.
Don’t take any medication for allergies without discussing it with your physician first, and this includes the over-the-counter brands. Your doctor will recognize any symptoms that may indicate problems with the medication and will also be able to advise you in regards to times and dosage.
You may not be sure whether or not your pet is causing your allergies. Go to an allergist to have a test done so you will know the cause of your allergies. You will not necessarily need to find a new home for your pet, though you might need to alter your arrangements somewhat.
Allergy Season
If you see evidence of mice or other pests, call an exterminator. Dried droppings left behind by roaches, rodents and other vermin can be a large contributor to your allergic reactions. Call in a professional exterminator to help clear your home of pests, so that you can eliminate a common allergy trigger.
When in peak allergy season, style your hair without the help of creams, mousse or sprays. When you go outside during allergy season, many allergens will become embedded in your hair. You should understand that sticky hair styling products attract and hold free flying allergens.
Something which triggers an allergy attack is at what time you exercise and where you are doing it. Exercising causes harder, deeper breathing which means you breathe in more of whatever type of pollen is floating around outside. It is wise to exercise inside during the hours of lowest pollen count, in order to limit allergen intake.
If you have a documented latex allergy, you should avoid coming into contact with it at all costs. Latex is in many different products, including clothing, bandages and even condoms. Substitute products are available, but you may want to ask your pharmacist where they can be found. Check out the labels to see if there are any warnings about latex.
Talk to a doctor before taking any allergy medicine. They will help you in finding the best medicine that can help you with the symptoms that you are experiencing.
Remove pillows made with feathers or other natural fillers, and make a switch to synthetic pillows. Dust mites are less likely to infest synthetic pillows. You still have to wash them so that you can get rid of allergens and dust, but they can help you sleep better.
Believe it or not, spending just a little bit of time outside exposes you to a wide range of different allergens in the air. So when you get a chance make sure you take a shower and get rid of these. Allergens like pollen, dust, and spores will wash away under running water. Anytime you go outside, these irritants will settle on your hair, skin and clothing.
Do not be startled if your allergy test reveals several positive indications to tests of various allergens. Most people consume, inhale or touch allergens daily but they don’t experience allergic reactions. For many people they can come in contact with allergens for years without having any issues at all.
Children going to school with allergies, may be using medications to handle severe allergic reactions. Your pediatrician can supply adequate notes about any allergy conditions. Send a few doses of the the medicine to school in case of a reaction. You should also provide the school with a detailed list of all the possible allergens. Put a copy of this list in your child’s backpack as well.
Your allergies may be caused by mold growing in your home. A way to reduce mold in your home is to clean the seals on your refrigerator on a regular basis. This place collects water as time goes by and it can grow mold. If you do not clean the door and the seal, you could be releasing dangerous mold into your home each and every time the door is opened.
For laundry that smells fresh, choose a laundry detergent with a light, fresh scent or add a fresh-smelling fabric softener. Hanging your clothes to dry outdoors may add a sun-kissed scent. 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.
Know whether you have a cold or an allergy. Many people mistake allergies for light colds; the severity of an allergy may increase and decrease randomly during its prolonged duration. If it seems like you are always battling a cold, then you could be allergic to some item. If you’re not sure, consult your physician and tell him about the symptoms that you are experiencing.
If you have an allergy skin test and have a lot of different reactions, do not be afraid. Lots of people come into contact with allergens regularly but don’t have noticeable reactions. Except in severe cases, some allergies can go undetected for years with no noticeable symptoms.
You are now armed with tips on how to deal with allergies, so remember to use them. It is no longer necessary for people with allergies to suffer. After careful application of these suggestions, you can begin to rest easy.
If you know you’re allergic to latex, don’t just assume that doctors and nurses will know that from reading your charts. Make sure you let them know. Just the slightest contact with some latex gloves or stethoscopes could cause you to have a very serious allergic reaction.