Anyone who has had a cold has experienced symptoms like sneezing, coughing, itching in the nose and throat, and watery eyes. However, these are symptoms that people who suffer from allergies have to deal with all their lives, even as the seasons change. By using the tips we present here, you can learn effective methods of combatting your allergy symptoms.
If there is a choice in the matter, avoid having carpeting or large area rugs in your home. It is almost impossible to truly clean a carpet, and carpet fibers collect pet dander, pollen, mites, dust, and other allergens. Just get flooring that can be easily mopped or swept.
During the periods of really nice weather, you may be inclined to crack open the windows at home in order to save some money on expensive air conditioning costs. Unfortunately, doing so may actually invite an allergy attack. Use a HEPA filter with your air conditioner to reduce indoor allergens. It might not seem as fresh at first, but you are going to be able to breathe much more easily.
If you exercise when the levels of pollen are high, make sure to do it in early morning or late at night. Research indicates that these are the best times, in regards to pollen count.
If you can choose, do not put any carpeting or big rugs 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. Instead, opt for flooring that is easy to keep clean with sweeping and mopping.
Avoid anything with a colorant as you might be allergic to it. Even simple products, like bath tissue, can contain harmful dyes. Go for plain white paper products in your home and see if it makes a difference in your allergic suffering.
Before going to sleep, showering and washing your hair is a good idea. 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. A quick wash can help you feel better later.
Some allergy treatments you may have tried out didn’t work as advertised. Well, the important thing is that you don’t stop trying different tactics. There are many allergy medications out there, and different ones work better with different issues. For instance, over-the-counter nasal sprays, eye drops and drug preparations of other sorts have been found to be useful for many.
Dust Mites
Make sure your windows stay closed in order to keep allergens out of the home. Opening the windows allows pollen to enter your house, causing your allergies to flare up. Check your filters often and clean your vents to prevent allergies.
Dust mites are a very difficult allergen to control. Dust mites thrive in the bedroom. They feed on dead skin cells found mostly on pillows and mattresses. Gross! In order to manage this problem, use zippered pillow cases and mattress covers. Be sure to wash your bedding weekly in hot water to kill off dust mites.
Many individuals dealing with allergies have been advised that humidifiers can be used at night to moisturize airways. This may be a bad idea, since the moisture from the humidifier can settle in the carpet, encouraging mustiness and possibly mold. Instead of that, try spraying a saline spray every night before you go to sleep to keep nasal passages moist.
If your child suffers from allergies to foods, travel can be made easier by packing some of his “safe foods” for the trip – especially if you will be in a foreign country. Sometimes, ingredients won’t be clearly labeled on food items, and you don’t want to risk your child consuming that item he is allergic to.
If you discover pests like rodents or insects, make arrangements for professional extermination as soon as possible. Droppings from rodents, cockroaches and other critters, can seriously aggravate your allergy symptoms. Hire an exterminator to remove these problems and clear your air.
More than one allergy sufferer has been told by a doctor to use a bedroom humidifier to keep their airways moist during the night. Yet this might not be smart because all of the mist can cause mold around the area where the humidifier is located. Sporadic use of a saline spray is a better way to keep your nasal passages moist during the night.
Avoid the use of hair creams, sprays and gels during the allergy season. If you go outside, you are likely to bring pollen and other allergens home with you. However, these products are known to be pollen magnets and could turn your tresses to an allergen free-for-all.
Be aware of your level of stress. You may not know that stress can affect how your body reacts to allergens. This is especially true for anyone who is asthmatic. Asthma attacks are more likely in those experiencing increased stress levels. It is not a cure all for this condition, but it can help lower the frequency and duration of an attack.
If you have latex allergies, you need to avoid any product that contains it. However, this may be easier said than done. Latex is in more items than we realize, include gloves, bandages, condoms, and even articles of clothing. Ask your pharmacist for healthy alternatives to these items. Check out the labels to see if there are any warnings about latex.
It is important for you to limit your exposure to whatever triggers your allergy symptoms. If you are bothered most by dust, make certain to regularly clean your house and get rid of every bit of dust you can. You may not be willing to give up your pets if they trigger your allergies, but you can at least make sure they stay as well-groomed and clean as possible. Dust and vacuum regularly too in order to control pet dander.
If you have stayed outside for longer than an hour, you almost certainly have nasty allergens on your skin and clothing. Try to take a shower as soon as you can. If you cannot take one right away then make sure to take one before heading to bed. Anything that’s accumulated on your body, like mold or pollen, will be washed away. These irritants might be on the skin or in the hair.
When you take a trip, make sure that you bring along your allergy medication. You want to be ready for anything, you never know when you are going to have an allergic reaction. Consider bringing an epinephrine with you in case of a severe reaction. A shot of Epinephrine can help alleviate the symptoms of a allergy attack.
Vacuum regularly if you suffer from allergies. This cuts down on how many allergens there are floating in the air of your home. It is also wise to inspect the vacuum. Many old vacuums let allergens back in the air. The HEPA filters in newer vacuums trap nearly 99 percent of allergens and small particles, keeping the air clean.
If you take an allergy test and end up with multiple positive reactions to different allergens, don’t be alarmed. Most people are able to come in contact with allergens without have any problem because of it. In fact, it is possible that a person who is allergic to certain things may go decades without ever experiencing symptoms.
If you suffer from allergies, you should dust at least once per week. Allowing dust to build up on surfaces makes you far more susceptible to experiencing an allergic reaction. Dusting regularly reduces the amount of allergens in your home.
Be sure the area immediately around you is perfectly clean. Often times people are not just allergic to one thing. If you clean up and get rid of things that cause allergies it can be easier to deal with them. Perform those deep cleaning tasks as often as possible.
Remove fixed carpeting in the house so that allergen exposure is reduced. Carpets collect dust mites and pollen, which both cause allergy symptoms. If you replace permanently installed carpeting with hardwood floors and use a carpet on top, you can take this carpet to be professionally cleaned every so often to completely eliminate allergens.
After spending some time outside, season allergy sufferers should always immediately take a shower, wash their hair and change into new clothes. You are very likely to bring in allergens from the outside when you are outside all the time.
Seasonal allergy sufferers should wash their hair regularly. Hair attracts pollen, dust, and dander. The allergens then enter your nose, upping the risk of allergies. At the height of the allergy season, try washing your hair daily for the best results.
Homeopathic Remedies
If you are prone to life-threatening or very serious allergic reactions, have some diphenhydramine with you, just in case something happens. Although it is not used for all allergic reactions, this drug can help in the case of allergic reactions caused by histamines.
It can help to explore homeopathic remedies to treat your allergies. Check into natural remedies, even if you have only tried standard allergy medications so far. Because homeopathic remedies have no active ingredients, they generally have no side effects, either. Some have reported that homeopathic remedies work better than over-the-counter alternatives. Homeopathic remedies for allergies are sold at both drug stores and health food stores.
To help ease indoor allergies, vacuum often. Your vacuum cleaner should have a HEPA filter. These types of filters get rid of pollen, mold, dust and many other allergens that can trigger your symptoms.
During the daytime hours when pollen is most prevalent, close your windows and keep it from coming inside. Instead of opening the window, it is best to switch on your air conditioner as it can cool your home without bringing in pollen and other allergens.
For expert advice, make an appointment with an allergist. Though you may believe there is nothing that can be done to help your symptoms, the fact is that solutions do exist. An allergist will be able to help you figure out exactly what is causing your allergies, and will suggest the best treatment. It is better for you if you seek help immediately, before those allergies wreak havoc on your life.
Don’t suffer with your allergies alone. It may seem that there is no hope for relief of the sniffles and sneezes of allergies, but there are some things you can do. If medications over the counter do not work, consult your doctor. Your doctor can write you a prescription for medication that can actually relieve your symptoms.
Bleach has a well-deserved reputation for killing mold, cleaning, and sterilizing. Bleach may bother some allergy sufferers and those that have breathing issues. You can keep your skin and lungs safe by using a face mask and gloves whenever you have to use bleach. You must also ensure proper ventilation by keeping windows and doors open as you clean.
Avoiding certain foods are an option for those that suffer from allergies. It can be difficult to deal with allergies to pollen or pet dander. By experimenting with the ideas from this article, you may find yourself one step closer to freedom from allergy symptoms.
Even small amounts of pollen can cause allergic reactions in some people, so implementing any reduction in pollen will help relieve symptoms. When you go inside your house, take off your coat and shoes so that pollen doesn’t come with you. After spending time outside, take a shower to remove all pollen from your body.