If you’re like most, you deal with allergies here and there. For some people, allergies are a seasonal irritation; others battle them almost every single day of their life. Don’t let your allergies defeat you. It is possible to get real relief from your discomfort.
Test out allergy medicine at home before going anywhere. Often antihistamines will have ingredients that induce drowsiness. Make sure you stay inside when you first take your medications so you know how they affect you.
To be safe, test new antihistamines while at home. Most of these contain ingredients that could impair your reflexes and even make you drowsy. Even if there are no warnings on the product, be wary about driving.
It is tempting to open windows to save on cooling costs when the sun is shining. Opening your windows can lead to allergic reactions. To help effectively reduce allergens present in your home, consider installing a HEPA filter in your air conditioning unit. This will help you breathe better, even though the air might not seem as fresh.
Whenever possible, opt for any type of flooring other than carpet in your home. Carpet and rugs collect dust mites, pollen and pet dander which can irritate allergies. Floors that can be mopped and cleaned much more easily than carpet are best for allergy sufferers.
Wherever possible, use something other than carpeting and rugs as floor coverings in your home. 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. Try to install floors that can be mopped and swept with ease.
Dust mites unfortunately are unavoidable for allergy sufferers. These mites dwell in pillows and mattresses, and they feed off flakes of skin. This is just gross! There are special “dust mite resistant” casings that you can purchase to cover pillows and mattresses to keep them out. Every week, kill mites by washing all bedding with hot water.
Dust mites are mostly likely in your home. These vile organisms thrive on dead skin as they burrow into your mattress and pillows. Eww! To combat these nuisances, encase mattresses and pillows in special zippered mattress covers and pillow cases. Wash all bedding at least once a week in hot water, which will kill any dust mites.
If you want a cat or dog, but are allergic, find a pet with short fur. The majority of animals can trigger allergic reactions, but longer-haired animals can make the condition even worse. Another way to cut down on reactions to pet dander is to banish your dog or cat from your bed.
Children are often more susceptible to allergies at specific times in their maturation process. Babies can first show evidence of allergies when initially exposed to the proteins in foods. It is not unusual for growing children to develop pollen allergies later in life as a result of exposure to various protein allergens when very young. After years of encountering no reactions to pollen or other allergens, your child may suddenly display allergy symptoms at some point. Do not immediately eliminate the possibility that he or she is truly allergic.
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. Without proper hydration, your bronchial tubes can be irritated by an excess of mucus secretion.
There are a lot of antihistamines and allergy products on the market you can get without a prescription. You doctor can provide you with a sample or you can buy the smallest package available. In the event one specific product does not resolve your symptoms, you have little money invested and can easily try an alternative.
In the west, olive trees are gaining favor as landscaping elements on different properties. Unfortunately, the trees also produce a lot of pollen. Once you can identify this troublesome tree, you may be able to avoid them and reduce exposure to their pollen. Some olive tree owners have found that wetting their trees down with a hose every day can help cut down on the amount of pollen they put into the air.
If you have exhausted all the usual allergy treatments with little or no relief, it may be time to visit your doctor for advice. Doctors have access to medicines that are not available over the counter. He can also advise you on other ways to deal with allergy symptoms.
If your child has food allergies and you are traveling, take foods they can eat with you. You may find it hard to find ingredient lists for some food items, thereby increasing the danger that an allergic reaction to dairy, nuts or other triggers may occur.
Schedule regular visits from an exterminator if you notice any unwanted visitors, such as insects or mice. Allergy symptoms can increase if you are exposed to rodent droppings. A visit from an exterminator can take care of these problems, which will keep you healthier and breathing easier.
Choose your deodorants wisely. Often times, they contain ingredients that can be very bad for your skin and these tend to break you out after shaving, when they make their way into your pores or even before you shave. The ingredients in these products are not only bad for you, they can irritate your skin.
Remember to bring allergy medicine with you in your travels. When you are away from home, you can never be sure what types of allergens you may come into contact with. If you suffer from severe allergic reactions, it is advisable you carry along an Epi-pen. This is a quick shot of epinephrine which can waylay many allergy attacks.
Remember to bring allergy medicine with you in your travels. Different areas have all sorts of plants and pollen you may not be used to and that could trigger your allergies. Depending on what you’re allergic to, the types of medications you bring may differ. Some Benadryl is okay for minor reactions, but having an Epi-pen may be required for more severe allergies. A shot of Epinephrine can help alleviate the symptoms of a allergy attack.
When it is the height of allergy season, it’s a good idea to wear your hair naturally and not use excessive hair products. These products will create tar-pit-like trap, easily capturing allergens. Styling products are often pollen magnets, and will turn your hair into an allergen mess.
When taking common allergy medications, make sure to use them correctly for best results. Most medications require days of constant use for them to work. You will not be able to simply take one dose at the first sign of a sneeze. Discuss the right dosage with your doctor.
Take the trash out. Garbage can attract all sorts of pests. Mice droppings may worsen allergy symptoms. If the rodents stay in your home after relocating the trash, get some traps. If you continue to have troubles with pests, hire a professional to handle the situation effectively.
Use a laundry detergent that has a light fragrance. When you hang your clothes out to dry, they smell like the sun. But it also significantly increases the possible number of allergens your laundry will collect. This method should only be used if you aren’t sensitive to fragrances and/or dyes.
When you choose pillows, be sure to choose a synthetic material because many natural materials (especially feathers) can cause allergies. Dust mites will more readily find their homes in these pillows. Synthetic pillows provide a better sleeping experience, although it’s still important for you to minimize allergen build-up by washing them regularly.
Don’t be scared if you get results from allergy tests and find out you have multiple triggers. Many folks have contact with allergens every day, but not all of them experience allergic reactions. With the exception of extreme cases, allergies may not be detected for years if obvious symptoms do not appear.
Avoid opening your windows during peak pollen hours. Everyone appreciates a home filled with fresh air, but it is best to leave windows closed when pollen levels are highest. The danger time is between 10 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon. In the late afternoon, you can allow your house to air with the windows open.
An excellent method of decreasing your allergies is dusting your home every single week. A lot of people ignore dusting around the house but it doesn’t take that much time to do and is healthy for you and your family.
If you want your clean laundry to smell sun-dried, purchase a scented laundry fabric softener or detergent. You may get a great scent on your clothing when you hang it out to dry. However, the clothes are likely to attract pollen and other spores. Only line dry clothes when pollen counts are low or you are sensitive to fragrances or dyes.
You can control your allergies and get on with your life. It is possible to get through life’s most joyous moments without the burdens of itchy eyes, swelling and other irritating symptoms. Take control of your symptoms and discover you can achieve relief.
Recognize the difference between an allergy and a cold. Allergies are not as harsh as a cold and might get worse without reason and last for long periods. Allergies may well be to blame if you experience cold symptoms repeatedly without any clear cause. Talk to your doctor to be sure.