Typical symptoms that accompany a cold include coughing, itchy throat, sneezing and weeping eyes. It might surprise you that many have these symptoms all of the time, namely those sensitive to seasonal changes. Know how to combat the triggers that cause allergies with the helpful information in this article.
For animal lovers out there who also suffer from allergies, it’s best if you select some type of pet with shorter hair. While practically any animal can cause an allergic reaction, animals that shed long hair are more likely to do so. Another way to cut down on reactions to pet dander is to banish your dog or cat from your bed.
If you have never tried a certain over-the-counter antihistamine yet, do so when you are home. It’s best to use them at home first because a lot of them are filled with ingredients which cause drowsiness. Try your new medication out for the first time when you do not need to work or drive.
Skin tests can help you figure out what you are allergic to, although they do not really help you understand how allergic you are to something. For instance, a test might indicate that you’re allergic to a particular type of spore. It may be that you suffer only very mild symptoms when the allergen is present, or you may suffer nothing whatsoever.
When it’s nice outside, you might want to open your windows to save on your cooling costs. This could cause a flare-up with your allergies though. 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. The air may not seem as fresh, but the lower level of allergens should help you breathe much easier.
Avoid buying products that contain artificial dyes, as many people are allergic to them. This includes bathroom tissue, which might have some sort of dye. You just might experience a reduction in your allergy symptoms if you stick with plain, dye-free paper products.
Shower and shampoo your hair prior to going to bed. 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. Simply wash quickly, and you will find you feel much better.
If nagging allergy symptoms are something you experience, keep an eye on your watch or the clock! Normally pollen comes out the most from five to ten o’clock in the morning; do not go outdoors at this time. Try to keep it short and don’t exert yourself if you do have to go outside during those hours.
If you are allergic to animals but have to have a pet, get one with short fur. All animals may bother one’s allergies, but animals with long hair make it even worse. You also want to avoid sleeping with your pets if you don’t want to have an allergic reaction.
If your allergy symptoms are always the same, you are better off treating them instead of attempting to prevent allergic reactions. For instance, allergy sufferers that typically experience dry or itchy eyes should keep their eye drops handy during allergy season. Someone with a scratchy throat might want to have lozenges at the ready.
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. You may learn from the test that pollen is an allergen that affects you. It may be that you suffer only very mild symptoms when the allergen is present, or you may suffer nothing whatsoever.
Try scheduling regular exterminator visits if you have insects and pests. Household pests leave fecal matter, and the like, that make allergies worse. Hire an exterminator to remove these problems and clear your air.
Your body could be causing an allergic reaction. Ir really may be the case. As you go about your day, dust, and pollen from outdoors sticks to your hair, clothing and body. If you don’t wash up, you can be attacked by all of these substances when you sleep. Have a shower and grab some fresh clothes before you head off to bed each night.
Bathrooms should be kept sparkling. Bathrooms are notorious for mold and mildew, and they should be cleaned once weekly. A great way to fight mold is to keep the walls cleaned with a water and bleach solution. This can prevent more mold growth after a period of time, which can exacerbate allergies.
There are a lot of allergy and antihistamine products on the market which do not require a prescription; however, you will find that everyone reacts differently to each product. Your allergist may be able to provide samples of prescription medications. If you try an over-the-counter medication, buy the smallest box or bottle available. This prevents you from spending a lot of money on products that may not provide relief.
Make sure you take your allergy medications if you decide to travel. It’s quite possible that you will run into some new sort of pollen, spore, or other allergen that will cause your allergies to flare up. If you have suffered from a serious allergic reaction in the past, you should also bring an Epi-pen with you. Epi-pens contain a potent dose of epinephrine which can stop an allergy attack.
If you have allergies and own pets, it may be difficult to determine whether or not they are the cause of your problems. The only way to truly find out is to make an appointment with an allergist and have an allergy test done. You won’t necessarily have to rehome your pet, but you might have to take anti-allergy medication.
Avoid having too much carpet or too many rugs in your home. Pollen and dust love to accumulate in rugs and carpets. If you desire to have rugs around your house as decor, remember to wash them daily in order to remove the allergens.
If you suffer from a food allergy you should bring snacks that are safe to eat while traveling, so that you always have access to allergen-free food. It may be hard to find the ingredients on some foods, and this increases the chances of having an allergy attack.
Allergies can lead to post-nasal drip and post-nasal drip can lead to a sore throat. Gargling with salt water is an alternative to medicating your sore throat. Combine warm water with table salt, tilt your head back and swish the mixture around in your mouth. Doing so will provide relief for your sore and irritated throat every single time!
It’s very common for people to recommend humidifiers to allergy sufferers, as it can help moisten airways as people sleep. This may not be a good idea, as the mist from the humidifier settles on carpet, encouraging the growth of mold and will become musty. Nasal saline spray administered at bedtime is a far better idea.
You may have hidden mold in your house that is triggering your allergies. To reduce any mold in the kitchen, regularly clean your refrigerator seals. This area in particular can be a breeding ground for mold as it constantly collects water. Whenever you open or shut your door, mold spores are sure to travel through the air if routine cleanings are not done.
In the event that you have tried every remedy under the sun to no avail, it might be best to consult a physician. He or she may be able to offer some medications able to manage symptoms and make life more enjoyable. You might also receive helpful advice on dealing with your allergies from a medical professional.
If you have seasonal allergies you need to make sure that you wash your hair, change your clothes and take a shower when you enter your home from outside. Otherwise, allergens are sure to enter the home, making matters far worse.
Avoiding certain foods are an option for those that suffer from allergies. Unfortunately, avoiding airborne allergens like pollen or pet dander is extremely difficult to do. By experimenting with the ideas from this article, you may find yourself one step closer to freedom from allergy symptoms.
During the day, you should keep your windows closed because at that time pollen is the most prevalent. To keep yourself and your home cool, keep the air conditioner on in allergy season.