Chances are, the following scenario sounds familiar. Coughing, sneezing and sniffling are integral parts of your life. You may find that these symptoms are more common during a certain part of the year. If this sounds like something that you suffer with, you most likely have allergies. There is no doubt that this type of allergy can be frustrating, but you can fight back using the tips in this article.
It is tempting to open windows to save on cooling costs when the sun is shining. This could cause a flare-up with your allergies though. You should try to find a HEPA filter to put on your AC. This type of filter is great for capturing multitudes of those allergen particles. Although air conditioned air may not create as nice of a breeze, you will breathe easier.
Just to be safe, you want to test any new over the counter antihistamines at home. Many of them contain ingredients that can make you drowsy or impair your reflexes. Even if there aren’t warnings, be sure that you take it easy so that you don’t get too messed up. Make sure to drive carefully if you have to and don’t drive if you feel strange.
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. Your best bet is to stay with the types of flooring that can be swept and mopped easily.
Be sure to wash thoroughly before you lay down for the night. As the day goes by you are slowly collecting pollen on your clothes and on your body, so to prevent yourself from being woken at night by a reaction it is best to clean yourself. Just hop in for a quick wash, then sleep soundly.
Suffering from allergies does not necessarily mean that you have to give up exercising outdoors. Work out later in the evening or earlier in the morning during seasons with high pollen counts. You will be more comfortable at those times of day, since pollen levels are lower.
Pollen counts are higher and lower at different times of the day. Try to make the times you go outside happen in the wee morning hours, or late at night. It has been shown through numerous studies that pollen levels rise during mid day, but are lowest during the morning and early evening.
Drugstore shelves are packed with dozens of allergy medications and antihistamines, but no product provides relief in every single allergy sufferer. You doctor can provide you with a sample or you can buy the smallest package available. By trying out drugs in sample form, you can quickly break off from one and get on another if you need further treatment.
You should consider replacing your carpeting if you have allergies. Carpet is a magnet for allergens including dust, dead dust mites, and pollen. If you are one of those people have carpet from wall-to-wall, think about switching to laminate, wood or tile, if you can afford it. This will have a big difference when it comes to the allergy-causing substances you could potentially breathe. If you cannot switch to these kinds of floors, vacuum everyday.
If you experience allergies from pollen, watch the time. 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 it is necessary to leave the house, try to avoid strenuous activity and make it a short trip.
If nagging allergy symptoms are something you experience, keep an eye on your watch or the clock! Avoid going outdoors when the pollen count is up. This is usually between 5 A.M. and 10 A.M. When leaving your house cannot be avoided, you should spend as little time as possible outdoors; it also helps to keep activity to a minimum.
Be aware of how much stress you are under. A lot of people are unaware that stress is a major cause of allergic reactions. This is particularly the case for anyone suffering from asthma. The higher the stress level, the greater the susceptibility to an allergy attack. So in order to avoid having serious allergy attacks, try and keep your stress levels to a minimum.
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 the contents of foods in different locations, and you increase the risk of encountering soy, dairy, nuts and other food allergens.
If you have tried everything else and are still suffering from allergies, you may want to seek the advice of your doctor. A professional can determine which prescription-only medication is best-suited to your specific problems, which will set you on the path to success. Your doctor can also point out other remedies that you may not have thought of.
Those that suffer from allergies have likely run into the advice to make use of a bedroom humidifier while they sleep more than a few times. This procedure is not without potential drawbacks. Increasing the room’s humidity can encourage mustiness and the mold growth in fertile areas like the carpeting. One alternative to a humidifier is a saline spray. These sprays help moisten the nasal passages.
Make sure you get rid of all insects and rodents in your home by calling an exterminator. Droppings from pests can greatly worsen allergies. A professional exterminator can quickly and safely eliminate these pests from your environment, allowing you to breath more easily.
If you notice the same same symptoms show up each time you have allergies, try treating the individual symptoms. You can often do this effectively, rather than try to stay away from what caused the allergy in the first place. For instance, if a runny nose is the main symptom of your allergies, then you should always have some tissues with you. The same would be true if your allergies result in a frequent sore or scratchy throat.
Never forget your allergy medicines if you plan to travel. You may not be able to foresee an allergic reaction in a new location. If your allergic reactions have ever been severe, discuss carrying an Epi-pen with your physician. These single dose epinephrine shots can save your life in the event of a severe allergic reaction.
Schedule regular visits from an exterminator if you notice any unwanted visitors, such as insects or mice. Insect and rodent droppings can trigger or worsen an allergy attack. Making use of a professional exterminator will rid you of these assorted pests. This should make you breathe easier.
Take your garbage can outside your home for good. Garbage stored indoors will attract vermin and other pests. Droppings from mice can cause allergies to get worse. If your rodent problem persists, it may be time to consider rodent traps. Use poison if traps don’t work.
Try not to open windows during hours in which pollen is high. While you may be tempted to open your windows for fresh air, avoid this when the pollen count is high. Usually this is between 10 am and 3 pm. Look for times after 3 for opening up the house.
Synthetic pillows are far safer when it comes to allergens. Dust mites will more readily find their homes in these pillows. While washing is still required if you want to avoid allergen build up, they are preferable to sleep with.
If you enjoy the aroma of clean laundry, think about using fabric softener or a product without much scent. Drying your clothes by hanging them outside can add a wonderful scent. However, the clothes are likely to attract pollen and other spores. This should only be done if a person does not have issues with dyes or fragrances.
When you want to go for a vacation, there is a good chance that you might pick a location that is out of town. This can be tricky if anyone in the family has to deal with allergies. Do your research to avoid vacationing in a place that poses high allergy attack risks.
Vitamin C
You need to make your home as allergy free as possible, and you do that by keeping it clean. You will remove allergens from your home by a thorough cleaning. Perform those deep cleaning tasks as often as possible.
Increase the amount of Vitamin C that you consume to reduce your allergy symptoms. This vitamin boosts your resistance to allergens while also acting as a natural antihistamine. For good protection against allergies, be sure to take at least 1000 mg of vitamin C daily. Also foods that have a high amount of Omega 3s help treat allergies.
Make sure you take more vitamin C. Vitamin C has the ability to increase your immune system, and also can help to fight allergy symptoms. Doctors sometimes recommend taking 1000 mg of vitamin C daily if you suffer from allergies. Foods rich in Omega-3 have also been shown to help relieve allergies.
Resist the temptation to rub your eyes with your fingers if your allergies tend to make them dry or itchy. Rather, you should opt for antihistamine eye drops to address your symptoms. If you keep rubbing your eyes, follicles along the lash line can become irritated and result in allergic styes.
Make sure you purchase a humidifier to use in your house. For a minimum investment, a humidifier will prevent allergens from circulating in the air. The water droplets that come out of it will attract the allergens and prevent them from spreading. You won’t be exposed to the normal allergens found in the air.
Now that you know what you can do to fight you allergies, it’s time to start doing it. Stop suffering in silence from symptoms that keep you down. You have the ability to feel better, and quickly! As long as you can follow these tips, you should have no trouble whatsoever in thwarting those allergies.
If you are allergic to latex, be aware that your nurse or doctor might overlook this in your medical chart. 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.