Allergies present themselves in many different forms. Some can have serious consequences, but others may just cause some congestion. Some people have food allergies, while others may be allergic to pets and even medication. In order to overcome allergies, you must understand them.
Test your reaction to first time over-the-counter allergy medications in your own home. Some of these can make you sleepy and impair your reflexes. Even if there are no warnings on the product, be wary about driving.
Shower and shampoo your hair prior to going to bed. Throughout the day, you’re going to accumulate a lot of different substances on your skin, like pollen, dust mites and dander, which could cause an allergic reaction at night. A quick clean-up can prevent a nightly episode.
If you are going to be exercising outside during the times of the year that there are high pollen levels, do so either very early in the morning or late in the evening. It has been shown through numerous studies that pollen levels rise during mid day, but are lowest during the morning and early evening.
Dust mites can be hard to avoid. As the name implies, they are happy to live in pillows and mattresses, consuming dead skin particles. Disgusting! To combat these nuisances, encase mattresses and pillows in special zippered mattress covers and pillow cases. Once you’ve done that, start washing your linens no less than once per week in hot water, as hot water is lethal to dust mites.
Stay well-hydrated to combat allergy symptoms associated with bronchial sensitivity. When you become dehydrated, your mucous membranes get dry and irritated and by extension are more vulnerable to allergens. Lack of sufficient hydration also affects the bronchial tubes by causing your mucosal glands to produce secretions that are difficult to break-up.
People are more sensitive to particular allergens at different stages of life. Babies may be allergic to a number of types of foods when first introduced to them. As infants grow into children, their exposure to protein allergens increases and they might develop an allergy to pollen. If your kid develops allergy symptoms to spores or pollen, don’t rule out serious allergic reactions just because they’re not food.
Avoid any product that contains colorant. This comes down to even your toilet paper that may have designs dyed into them. Use ordinary white paper products instead, and you may notice a decline of your allergic symptoms.
Did you know that the body could be the main cause of the allergic reaction that you are experiencing? It can be true! Pollen and other allergens can cling to your clothing, your hair and any exposed body parts as you perform your daily routine. When the day ends, especially when you hop into bed, these allergens can be extremely harmful to your airways. That’s just one of the many good reasons to go to bed clean and wearing fresh pajamas.
Olive trees are very popular on the west coast in a warmer, sunnier climate. However, these trees produce huge amounts of pollen. Find out how to recognize this tree, and you will be able to create a plan for avoiding an allergic reaction. Using a garden hose to saturate these trees for a minute or so daily can decrease the amount of pollen in the air.
Stress Levels
If you frequently suffer from annoying allergy symptoms, be sure to keep track of the time of day! Between 5 and 10 o’clock in the morning, there is a lot of pollen out that can make you have allergic reactions. If it is necessary to leave the house, try to avoid strenuous activity and make it a short trip.
Be aware of the stress you are experiencing. It is not widely known that stress levels play a large role in allergic reactions. This is especially true for individuals with asthma. When stress levels are increased, the chances of having an attack are also raised. Keeping stress at bay will certainly not cure asthma, but it can certainly make asthmatics less vulnerable to attacks.
If you have not had success with your first few attempts to relieve your allergies, don’t give up. You should try medications ranging from oral to herbal remedies. Other alternatives include nasal sprays, nasal steroids, or eye drops.
If you have allergies that always manifest themselves in a certain way, then it may be better to address the symptoms while you are working on dealing with the source of the problem. One example of this is dry eye. If you have this problem, you should take some good eyedrops with you wherever you go. You can also use this principle if you have a congested nose or dry eyes.
Learn new ways to cope with stress. A lot of people don’t realize that stress can really affect the allergic responses their bodies feel. People who have asthma know this more than anything. The higher the stress level, the greater the susceptibility to an allergy attack. Although this will not cure the condition, it will reduce the duration of the attacks as well as the frequency.
Make sure you get rid of all insects and rodents in your home by calling an exterminator. Rodent feces are often a contributor to allergic symptoms. An exterminator can safely get rid of these pests to help you breathe better.
If self-care has failed to address your allergy problem, it is time to consult a medical professional. This person can provide you with medicines that help control your allergies. A healthcare professional will also be able to offer additional insight into lifestyle changes or practices that can improve your chances for success.
Make sure you pick out an antiperspirant carefully. Many common ingredients are very harsh chemicals which can aggravate skin, and if you are prone to allergies, these may be even harder on you. These ingredients could be harsh on your skin as well as on you.
Always keep any allergy medications with you if you will be traveling. Different areas have all sorts of plants and pollen you may not be used to and that could trigger your allergies. If your allergies are severe, it may be a good idea to carry an Epi-pen, as well. Having epinephrine with you can make sure you stay stable in case of an attack.
If you’re taking any type of allergy medication, remember to consult a medical professional. With their expertise, you can make sure that your medication is suitable for your allergy symptoms, and that you’re using it properly.
Be sure to use any allergy medication correctly and according to directions. Many of these types of medications require you to use them for several days before you feel the benefits. Don’t expect instant results with certain kinds of medications, as they do tend to take some time before they kick in. Check with doctors for information about the correct way to use medication.
Clean your bathroom often. Warm, humid bathrooms can become hotbeds of mold unless they are cleaned weekly. Wipe your walls down with bleach and water to rid them of mold. Doing this can help your problems from becoming worse. Of course, it’s also nice to enjoy a tidy house, too!
Keep all of your garbage/trash outside. Garbage attracts bugs and rodents. Insect and rodent droppings can cause allergies. If you suspect you have a problem with pests, set out traps. Try poison if it doesn’t work.
If you have an allergy to latex, stay away from all latex-containing products. Many things are made with latex, including condoms, bandages and even clothing. There are many different alternatives to these items. Ask you doctor for advice on how to find them. Be sure to thoroughly check labels for any latex warnings.
If you have spent at least an hour or so outdoors, you have likely picked up a few unwanted airborne allergens. Make sure you take a shower before you go to bed. The shower will rinse away pollen, mold and other allergens. They may have collected on your skin or in your hair.
Try pillows composed of man-made materials, rather than natural items like feathers or down-feathers. You will find that dust mites will look to these pillows only if natural materials are present. While washing is still required if you want to avoid allergen build up, they are preferable to sleep with.
For a touch of clean, sun-kissed fragrance on your clothes and linens, your best bet is to use lightly scented dryer sheets, fabric softener or laundry detergent. Leaving your wet clothes outside can give them a nice aroma. But it may increase the amount of pollen and dust as well. However, these products should be avoided if you or someone in your family is sensitive to scented or colored products.
Allergies can cause something like post-nasal drip which can cause a sore throat. Try gargling with salt water instead of taking a bunch of medication for your throat. With your head angled back, swish a concoction of warm water and table salt around your mouth. This can make your throat feel better in no time!
When you are desperate to go away of vacation, you might be tempted to chose a random, exotic location. If someone you know suffers from allergies, especially someone close in your family, this might be a risky move. Instead, you should carry out detailed research into the weather conditions, any local allergens and pollen counts before you select a destination.
If you suffer from allergies, you should dust at least once per week. Don’t let the dust pile up and become visible; weekly dusting will reduce the allergens in your home.
Take the time to clean your home thoroughly. Most allergy sufferers are affected by multiple allergens; the cleaner your environment is kept, the easier it will be to help you identify and eliminate problematic substances. Attempt to do a thorough cleaning as often as possible.
If you suffer from latex allergies, do not assume that medical professionals will notice that fact when reading your chart. Never be afraid to voice your issue, since even slight content with gloves made from latex or certain kinds of stethoscopes could leave you suffering from a severe, uncomfortable allergic reaction.
Make sure you purchase a humidifier to use in your house. This can help stop allergens from circulating in your home’s air. As the humidifier releases moisture, allergens may become ensnared in the droplets and removed from the air. This can prevent them from entering the air you breathe normally.
Remember, if you learn a lot about allergies, as with any topic, you’re in a much better position to do something about it in terms of fighting back. There are many medications out there to treat allergies. Articles like this can provide some great options you may not have considered.
Remove carpeting from your home if you suffer from allergies. Carpeting typically collect the dust and hair that can cause allergic reactions. Therefore, you should eliminate the permanent carpeting in your home and replace it with hardwood floors. A carpet can be used on the top if you want. Just make sure you have this carpet cleaned every now and then so that you can prevent allergens from building up on it.