The symptoms of allergies are very similar to the symptoms of a cold: watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, sore throat and runny nose. It may come as a surprise to some that people with allergies deal with these symptoms all the time, especially during seasonal changes. By going over some different tips and tactics, you can learn how to avoid these allergic triggers.
To be on the safe side, test any new store-bought antihistamine at home first. Often antihistamines will have ingredients that induce drowsiness. Even if the box doesn’t say it may cause drowsiness, test them at home where you can relax before driving while taking them.
People are more prone to allergies at certain times of their lives than at others. One example is babies, they get exposed to things like certain proteins and that causes allergies. When babies get older, they are around other protein allergens, which could later turn into a pollen allergy. If you have a child who shows signs of being allergic to spores or pollen, pay close attention to this and because they could be allergic to many non-food allergies too.
When the weather is nice, you may be tempted to open the windows in your home to save money on cooling costs. Unfortunately, doing so could cause allergy problems. For the best results, make sure your air conditioning unit is equipped with a special HEPA filter, to cut down the number of allergens inside your home. It might not seem as fresh at first, but you are going to be able to breathe much more easily.
Skin tests are reliable for identifying allergens, but these results cannot predict how severe a reaction you may have to these substances. For instance, tests may show that you have sensitivity with a specific variety of spore. However, it’s possible that you could have mild allergen symptoms when you are around it, even if you don’t experience any discomfort.
If you can, do not put large rugs or carpeting in your home. Allergens like pollen, dust, dander, and mites tend to stick in carpet fibers, and people who are sensitive to them will find it is practically impossible to get rid of them entirely. Flooring that can be cleaned easily is more practical.
If you do your workouts outdoors, schedule your workouts around dawn or dusk during peak allergy season. You will be more comfortable at those times of day, since pollen levels are lower.
Make sure you keep a close eye on the clock. Between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., pollen levels are at their highest; it is best to stay indoors during this period. If you must venture out, try to limit activity and keep the duration brief.
To combat bronchial allergies, make sure that you stay hydrated. If you don’t have a sufficient amount of fluids in your body, your mucus membranes can get dry. There will also be a build up of difficult to remove secretions from the mucosal glands when hydration is overlooked.
If you own pets but also have allergies, you might wonder if the animal really is causing your problems. Instead of assuming that your pet is the cause, visit an allergist to get tested. If you are allergic to your pet, then do not worry. You will not have to re-home your favorite animal, you will just need to make a few small changes.
Olive trees are being used for decoration in many states in the western U.S. Unfortunately, the trees also produce a lot of pollen. Once you know what this tree is and looks like, you can better protect yourself from allergies. A lot of people realize that turning a hose to the tree for a couple of minutes a day will reduce pollen issues.
If you have run out of options and still have problems with allergies, you should consult a physician. They could suggest medicine that could help you in managing your allergies and how you could control them. Other options that are available to you can be discussed as well.
Make sure you keep a close eye on the clock. Pollen is out in full force between the hours of 5 and 10 a.m., so if at all possible, avoid going out during these times. If you have to go out, limit the time you are exposed.
To avoid at least one source of allergy attacks, keep your car clean, and closed! Keep dust, pollen, mold and so on out of your car by using your air conditioner and keeping your vents shut. Regular vacuuming will keep your upholstery and interior free from allergens. This could cause a reduction in allergies.
By keeping your windows closed, you are preventing the air inside the your house free of allergens. When opening windows, you can let in pollen which makes allergic symptoms worse. It is also important to clean your filters in your air conditioners and vents in order to keep allergens at bay.
Sometimes it can be impossible for you to avoid allergy triggers. You should be prepared to deal with your recurrent allergy symptoms themselves. That means, for example, that those who have dry eyes should just carry eye drops with them. People who usually get scratchy throats can gargle salt water, too.
If you suffer from similar symptoms but different allergies, your best bet is to treat your symptoms. For example, if your allergies cause your eyes to be red, dry and itchy, keep a vial of eye drops with you at all times. Likewise, folks with scratchy throats should always carry cough drops.
Look into getting a humidifier to use in your home. This will keep allergens from circulating your home. The water droplets that come out of it will attract the allergens and prevent them from spreading. This way, your family won’t breathe in the particles that cause allergic symptoms.
Getting Rid
Recognize the difference between an allergy and a cold. Allergies mimic long-lasting mild colds and get worse or better seemingly without reason. If you feel that you constantly suffer from colds, you may actually be suffering from allergies. If you do not know, visit your doctor and inform him or her of your symptoms.
If you have allergies, avoid triggers as much as possible. If dust is a problem for you, clean and vacuum often, getting rid of all the dust you can. If you are allergic to your pets, consider getting rid of them or keep them clean and brushed. Vacuuming and dusting will also keep pet dander to a minimum.
City dwellers may find themselves sensitive to the smog and other air pollutants common to urban living. If you are a city dweller who is constantly congested, you might try living elsewhere for a short time and seeing if that makes a difference. It may be that smog is causing your allergy symptoms.
Don’t take any medication for allergies without discussing it with your physician first, and this includes the over-the-counter brands. They can help you figure out which medication will work best for you based on your symptoms.
It is important for those with seasonal allergies to shampoo often. Airborne allergens like dander and pollen are often trapped and carried in hair. Allergens trapped in the hair can be especially troublesome because they are near the nasal passages. When allergy season is at it’s peak, wash your hair at least once a day.
Make sure you are taking your allergy medication as directed by the label (for OTC medication) or your doctor (for prescription medication). You have to constantly apply certain medications, you cannot expect to use them once and have your symptoms go away. Don’t expect to pop a pill right when you start sneezing. Discuss the right dosage with your doctor.
Carry some diphenhydramine pills in your pocket or purse in case your allergy symptoms become serious. Although it is not effective with all allergic reactions, diphenhydramine can offers quick relief for battling histamines.
Place your garbage can outside. When it is indoors, it can attract rodents and bugs. Droppings from rodents can worsen allergy symptoms. If you still have rodent problems after doing this, you may want to consider using a trap to get rid of them in your home. If traps do not work, you should consider using poison to alleviate any rodent problems.
Avoid allergy symptoms by removing crumbs from behind your appliances and other out of the way places. Pests, such as mice and cockroaches, are attracted to crumbs. The droppings of vermin can exacerbate allergy symptoms.
Don’t be shocked if your allergy test reveals you are allergic to different things. Many people touch, inhale or eat allergen daily without experiencing an allergic reaction. With the exception of very serious cases, there are allergies that can remain undiagnosed for long periods of time because no symptoms ever emerge.
Book a consultation with an allergist. Despite what you may think or be used to, an allergist may be able to offer you some solution for your symptoms. An allergist can help you discover what is causing you to have allergic reactions and suggest effective treatments. You are better off getting professional help before allergies take over your daily life.
Allergies that cause an excess of drainage can leave you with a sore throat. Try gargling salt water. All you have to do is mix some warm water with table salt. Swish this mixture in your mouth, and make sure that your head is leaning back. Doing so will provide relief for your sore and irritated throat every single time!
People often consider bleach as something that cleans and kills mold. Yet, be careful because bleach can cause some people harm. Take proper precautions such as a greeting mask and gloves anytime you must come in contact with or use bleach. You can keep your windows open, and a great tip here would be to put a fan inside of the window blowing outward. This gets rid of the bleach fumes and keeps pollen out!
Avoiding certain foods are an option for those that suffer from allergies. Yet it can be hard to deal with pollen and pet dander because these things are hard to stay away from. So, apply what you learned and make a better future for yourself.
For people who have allergies or issues with their sinuses, one thing they can do is look into nasal irrigation. It is a proven fact that irrigating your nasal passages with sterile saline solution has a positive effect on reducing the symptoms of allergies. Cheap neti pots or nasal irrigators can be found at lots of different stores.