Although allergies are pretty common, it’s not as well-known that these symptoms can be pretty negative. Rather than letting allergy triggers control your life, learn how to control your symptoms and get your life back! Continue reading for some simple tips that will help you treat your allergies effectively.
If you can, do not put large rugs or carpeting in your home. Carpet never becomes completely clean, and dust, mites, dander and pollen cling to the fibers. If you or someone in your family has allergies, you will be better served by flooring that is easy to clean; tile, wood and linoleum are ideal.
Make sure your bathroom is ventilated well so that mildew and mold can’t thrive. Such allergens proliferate in warm, wet areas. Wet towels should be hung up, and a fan should be turned on after showering. If a fan is something you do not own, merely crack a small window to allow for fresh air circulation.
If you enjoy jogging, walking or exercising outdoors, it is best to complete your outdoor workouts in the late evening or early morning. Experts have determined that pollen concentrations are at their nadir during these times, so you won’t suffer as many allergy symptoms.
Allergists perform skin tests to determine which allergens are likely to produce symptoms; however, test results may not necessarily tell how severe the allergy is. For instance, a test can tell you that you have an allergy to a specific type of spore. You could suffer from a mild allergic reaction and not notice it.
A plethora of allergy and antihistamine products are available over the counter, yet not all find relief from them. You can buy a small size or ask your physician to give you a sample. If the product doesn’t help you reduce your symptoms, then you can try another without wasting too much money.
Think about getting rid of your carpets. Carpet is the terrible for allergies because it tends to gather up lots ofpollen, dust and dust mites. 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 greatly reduce the amount of ambient particulates (many of which are allergens) in your home. If you are unable to make this change, you should at least a vacuum every day.
If you have pets and struggle with allergies, you may not know whether your pet is adding to your troubles. Make an appointment with an allergist; a doctor can run tests to determine whether or not you are allergic to pet dander. This does not mean that you have to re-home your pet, all it means is that you might need to make changes in your lifestyle.
One way to reduce the amount of unwanted allergens in your home is to keep the windows closed. Pollen can easily get inside the home through open windows, and cause your allergy symptoms to escalate. For best results, you should regularly replace all air-conditioner filters; this reduces the amount of allergens in the air.
Try scheduling regular exterminator visits if you have insects and pests. Rodent feces are often a contributor to allergic symptoms. You may want to consider hiring an exterminator to get rid of these rodents.
Many people who suffer from allergies have been advised to use humidifiers in their bedroom. Because humidifier mist falls lightly over the entire carpet, it is possible for it to encourage mold growth. For this reason, humidifier use may not be beneficial to people suffering from allergies. Use a saline spray at bedtime to moisten nasal passages instead.
If you have allergies, try to limit your exposure to allergens that affect you. If you discover dust to be an issue, make sure to clean regularly and do your best to get rid of what dust you can. If you are allergic to animals, bathe and groom your pet weekly. Vacuum your floors at least two times per week to keep pet dander to a minimum.
When and where you exercise may have a tremendous effect on the type of allergic reactions you experience. Strenuous exercise involves heavy breathing. Completing your fitness routine indoors can decrease the amount of allergens you inhale; it also helps to workout during times in which pollen levels are lowest.
If you have allergy problems, take care when choosing an antiperspirant. Check the label for ingredients that might cause allergic reactions or irritation after shaving. Such ingredients may be very detrimental to your skin.
Keep rugs and carpets to a minimum when you are decorating your residence. These tend to attract pollen and dust. Rugs can be acceptable for decorating. The key is to ensure they can be washed and are regularly cared for.
When traveling, always remember to pack extra allergy medication. You can’t anticipate what allergens you may come in contact with on your trip. An Epi-Pen is also recommended if you tend to have severe allergic reactions. This can deliver a dose of epinephrine that can save your life during a severe allergy attack.
Pollen Count
Set a limit on how many carpets and rugs are allowed in your home. Rugs and carpeting are known hiding grounds for dust, pollen and other particulates. Rugs add softness to your home decor, but make certain they are washed often to prevent accumulation of allergens.
When the pollen count is high, don’t open your windows. Fresh air is great for your home, but when the pollen count is high, don’t open windows. Typically, this is from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. It will be safer to open up the windows and air out your house after these hours have passed.
If you have latex allergies, you need to avoid any product that contains it. Some examples of household items that usually contain latex are: bandages, gloves, condoms and clothes. Alternatives can be found for a lot of these things. Ask your pharmacist for some advice on where you can locate them. Be sure to thoroughly check labels for any latex warnings.
You have probably collected allergens if you have been outside. This is why you should take a hot shower immediately upon returning from a long outdoor trip. If you can’t take a shower right away, at least do so before sleeping. This will wash away any irritants that you have come in contact with. Allergens can get trapped in your hair, on your skin, on your clothing, etc. Be sure to wash well.
Sleep on synthetic pillows rather than ones stuffed with natural stuffings, such as feathers. Synthetic materials do not attract dust mites the way natural materials do. You have to wash them all the time in order to effectively rid any allergic reactions that might occur but they are still better for you.
If you’re in dire need of a vacation getaway, you might find yourself settling on any destination as long as it’s far, far away from work, school and stress. This is risky if you have allergies or one of your family members do. Before choosing a destination, do your homework to find information about weather conditions, pollen counts and other potential allergy triggers.
When planning a vacation, consider your destination carefully. This is risky if you have allergies or one of your family members do. Make a list of places you would like to visit, and then do a little research on topics such as potential allergy triggers, pollen counts, and weather conditions.
If allergies cause your eyes to be itchy or dry, remember not to rub them. Invest in antihistamine eye drops to control such symptoms. Constantly rubbing the eyes can cause follicle irritation and lead to styes.
Those who suffer from allergies should use the vacuum a lot. If you deal with allergies on a regular basis, keeping a clean and dust-free home is a great way to soothe the effects. For best results, you should also consider certain aspects of the vacuum cleaner itself. Many old vacuums let allergens back in the air. A HEPA filter is standard issue with most modern vacuum cleaners. These devices will filter out almost 100% of allergens and minute particles to keep your air clean.
Mold may be causing your allergies. A good way to get rid of mold is to clean seals on the refrigerator. Water collects on these seals and causes mold overgrowth. 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.
Don’t think just because you have a latex allergy that your nurse or doctor is going to read it off your chart. You should make it a point to tell the doctor or nurse when you first arrive, otherwise even the slightest contact with latex or other medical equipment can cause you to have a terrible allergic reaction.
Understand the difference between allergy symptoms and a cold. Allergies are not as harsh as a cold and might get worse without reason and last for long periods. If you think you are catching constant colds, you may actually be having allergy troubles. If you are unsure, visit a doctor and go over your symptoms.
Consider using homeopathic remedies to treat your allergies. Many folks take medicine, but homeopathic remedies may work better. Normally this type of remedy does not have side effects that you tend to see with prescription medications, a they usually work a lot better than the stuff you find over the counter. Regular drugstores carry homeopathic remedies, and so do health food stores.
Keep your windows closed to help keep allergens out of your house during the day. Instead of allowing those particles from outside to enter your home, you should instead turn your air conditioner on. The AC will not only provide cooler air, but its filter will help to get rid of some of the allergy-causing particles already in the home.
To avoid cross-contaminating foods with the foods that cause allergies, try making allergy-free foods for everyone. Avoid cross contamination by eliminating all foods that you are sensitive to from your kitchen.
If your pet triggers your allergies, be sure they are bathed on a regular basis. Your pet’s dander is likely to blame for your allergy symptoms, and when you have them bathed the dander situation is improved. Try not to give your pet a bath personally, because your symptoms might get triggered by the dander release during the bath.
Avoid cigarette smoke and don’t allow anyone to smoke in your home or car, because that can trigger allergy symptoms. Make all efforts to quit if you smoke. Also consider avoiding wood burning stoves and fireplaces since the smoke they produce can be irritating.
Cross-contamination of foods is a good way to spread allergies around, so be sure to keep foods separate if someone has allergies. If you bring foods into your home that another family member is allergic to, it is very tough to avoid contamination issues. Lessen the risk by not bringing those foods around.
Don’t suffer with your allergies alone. Help is readily available if you just take some time to look for it. If relief does not come with over-the-counter medications, consult your doctor. A professional is able to give you seasonal allergy medication in which you can use as a way to fight your symptoms, making you sneeze and sniffle free.
Learn the methods that are available for treating your itchy eyes, your coughing and sneezing, and your sore, scratchy throat. A couple of good options may include Claritin and nasal irrigation treatments. As long as you can follow these simple tips, you should have no trouble living a normal life, even with your allergies.
Try to implement some vitamin C into your diet, or at least take some supplements to build your immune system. Vitamin C can be found in fruits, such as oranges and grapefruit, or you can find inexpensive supplements at any health food store. Your immune system will get a boost and be better able to keep allergies at bay.