If you are dealing with allergies then you are aware how problematic they can be. Having to stay indoors to avoid dealing with allergies can drive the average person batty in no time at all. Keep reading for some tips that will help you get more out of life in spite of those annoying allergies!
If at all possible, do not bring rugs or carpets into your home. Carpet is not easy to clean and impossible to clean completely. The fibers of the carpet hold onto dust, pollen, mites, dander, and other allergens. Floors that can be mopped and cleaned much more easily than carpet are best for allergy sufferers.
When it’s nice outside, you might want to open your windows so you don’t have to spend a lot of money cooling the air. But understand that you are inviting dust and pollen into your home that can cause allergies, too. To help effectively reduce allergens present in your home, consider installing a HEPA filter in your air conditioning unit. The filter will help your breathing, even though it may not seem fresh.
Prior to retiring for the night, shower thoroughly and make sure your hair is washed. Your hair and body collects allergens throughout the day, and can cause nighttime allergies to occur while you sleep. Even if you only spend a few minutes in the shower, you will be doing yourself a great favor.
Whenever possible, opt for any type of flooring other than carpet in your home. Carpet never becomes completely clean, and dust, mites, dander and pollen cling to the fibers. Floors that can be mopped and cleaned much more easily than carpet are best for allergy sufferers.
Not a lot of people realize it, but their actual bodies can be the reason they’re suffering from allergic reactions. Seriously – this is not a joke! Pollen and other allergens can cling to your clothing, your hair and any exposed body parts as you perform your daily routine. If you don’t wash up, you can be attacked by all of these substances when you sleep. Before going to sleep, you should shower or change your clothes.
Sometimes, people are more apt to suffer from allergies as they age. Babies can first show evidence of allergies when initially exposed to the proteins in foods. As your children grow they can be exposed to a lot of different protein allergies and become allergic to pollen. You need to keep in mind that children are quite capable of developing genuine allergies to airborne spores or pollen, even if they have never had an allergic reaction to anything other than foods.
Think about removing carpet from your home. Carpet is well known for being a host for pollen, dust, and dust mites. If you can afford it, consider replacing carpet with wood or laminate flooring. This will have a big difference when it comes to the allergy-causing substances you could potentially breathe. If you are unable to do this, make certain to run your vacuum daily.
During seasons when the pollen count is high, be sure to exercise outdoors only in the very early morning or during the evening hours. Studies show pollen levels are low during these times, so you can exercise comfortably.
If you suffer from bronchial allergy symptoms, make sure you always keep yourself hydrated. Not taking in enough fluids will cause your mucosal membranes to get dry or inflamed. There will also be a build up of difficult to remove secretions from the mucosal glands when hydration is overlooked.
If you’re suffering from allergies, maybe you should skip the medicine aisle of your local mega-mart and instead go see the doctor. Medical professionals can better diagnose what’s wrong and what types of treatments you should have. Ask your physician for sample packs or buy the smallest size you can find. In the event one specific product does not resolve your symptoms, you have little money invested and can easily try an alternative.
Avoid colorant in household items. You could be allergic. Even simple things like printed toilet paper can be an issue. To rule out a dye allergy, use only white paper products throughout the house. If your symptoms are abated, you will know to use only white paper goods in the future.
Tear out your carpeting. Carpet can be the best place for dead dust mites, pollen and dust to hide. If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, consider switching to wood, laminate or tile floors, if finances allow. This will greatly reduce the amount of ambient particulates (many of which are allergens) in your home. If you are unable to do this, make certain to run your vacuum daily.
Keep windows closed to keep allergens out of your home. When windows are opened up, pollen is allowed to get inside the house and can exacerbate allergies. It is also important to clean any filters in vents and air-conditioners to reduce the amount of allergens in your home.
Look at what time you are experiencing your allergies. The morning hours between 5 and 10 o’clock are typically the time when airborne pollen is at its worst, so you’ll want to stay indoors if you possibly can. If you have to leave your home, don’t do any vigorous activity.
Make sure your bathroom is always clean. Warm, humid bathrooms can become hotbeds of mold unless they are cleaned weekly. To reduce mold, wipe your walls with a bleach and water mix. This will break down mold and prevent buildup.
Some people have had good luck with homeopathic treatments for allergies. You will find that a lot of common allergy triggers have effective natural remedies associated with them that you can try. They will reduce swelling, itching, a runny nose and sneezing naturally.
Make sure you are taking your allergy medication as directed by the label (for OTC medication) or your doctor (for prescription medication). It is common for such drugs to require multiple days of consistent use if they are to work well. If you simply take a pill the first time you sneeze, the treatment will not be effective. Speak with your physician about how to use it properly.
If you own pets and have allergies, you might be unsure if you are allergic to your pets. Instead of assuming that your pet is the cause, visit an allergist to get tested. 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.
Don’t open your windows when pollen is prevalent in the air. Fresh air is great, but you should avoid keeping your windows open when pollen counts are high. Watch your local news program to see when pollen is highest in your area, or visit the weather section of local news websites to learn about times and levels. Open your windows after this time to let your home air out.
If you’re traveling with your child who is allergic to some foods, bring safe foods with you, especially if you’re going to a foreign country. 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.
If your children suffer from allergies they may need medication should a reaction occur. Have your pediatrician compose a note that explains your child’s allergies. Make sure that the school has a few doses of your child’s medication to use in an emergency. It can also be helpful to give the school a list of possible allergens and have your child keep one in his backpack as well.
Make sure the bathrooms in your house remain clean. Bathrooms grow mold more than anywhere else, so clean your bathroom once a week. A solution of bleach and water may be used to clean walls and showers, making it harder for mold to thrive. This can prevent mold from accumulating and worsening your allergies.
If you love smelling laundry that has dried in the sun, try using laundry detergent with a light fragrance or some fabric softener. You can also get a natural scent by hanging clothes outside to dry. But it also significantly increases the possible number of allergens your laundry will collect. This is a good for those that don’t have a sensitivity towards fragrance and dye.
If you are using allergy medicine, you need to take it responsibly. You may not see results for several days. Don’t think that popping a tablet in your mouth as soon as you begin sneezing is going to help, because, depending on the medication you’re taking, that may not happen. Speak with a doctor about proper dosages.
If you have an allergy skin test and have a lot of different reactions, do not be afraid. Many people are exposed to allergens several times a day, but their bodies do not react. With the exception of extreme cases, allergies may not be detected for years if obvious symptoms do not appear.
With any luck, this piece has offered some great ideas for finding your best life, despite your allergies. There is too much fun to be had, work to be done and life to live, so put the smart tips of this article to work against your allergies and get out and enjoy!
Increase the amount of Vitamin C that you consume to reduce your allergy symptoms. Vitamin C is an immune-boosting vitamin that can be found in all citrus fruits, supplement form, and even in bell peppers. You should try to consume at least 1000mg a day to increase the ability of your immune system to detect allergies vs. illness. Furthermore, foods that are high in Omega-3 are also helpful in treating allergy symptoms.