If you have to test an over the counter antihistamine, test it at home. Sometimes, they can make you tired and impair your reflexes. Even if the box doesn’t say it may cause drowsiness, test them at home where you can relax before driving while taking them.
An all to frequent problem for lots of people are seasonal allergies. Instead of scratchy throats and lots of sneezing, try to live daily without being groggy from tons of allergy medication. Continue reading for some useful tips on how you can fight allergy symptoms.
It is possible that the root of your allergy problem can be found on your own body. Seriously – this is not a joke! Throughout the day, pollen and dust in the air gets onto your clothing, hair and body. By the time you get home countless allergens have settled onto your person, where they may attack your immune system. Remember to shower and wear freshly-washed nightclothes before going to bed.
Dust Mites
Take a look at a clock the next time you have an allergy attack if you’re having trouble pinning down the trigger of your symptoms. Pollen is most oppressive between 5 and 10 o’clock in the morning, and therefore you should try not to be outside during that block of time. If you have to leave the house, see if you can keep your outing a short one.
Dust mites are everywhere. As the name implies, mites love to burrow in your mattress and pillows, feasting on your discarded skin cells! Gross! A good solution to address dust mites is to use allergy bedding covers to completely enclose your mattress and pillows. The follow-up is weekly cleaning of your bedding with a very hot wash, since heat is a dust mite killer.
Sometimes pet owners wonder if their pets contribute to their allergies. Make an appointment with an allergist; a doctor can run tests to determine whether or not you are allergic to pet dander. You won’t have to go as far as getting rid of your pet, but you will have to change other things.
When it comes to allergies, are you aware that even your own body can be making problems worse? That’s the truth! Over the course of the day, your hair, skin and clothing may become covered in pollen, mold, dust and other allergens. By the days end, these things can really trigger your allergies. Before going to bed, you should take a shower to wash off all these harmful allergens so you can wake up feeling refreshed.
Always monitor your levels of stress. A lot of people don’t realize that stress can really affect the allergic responses their bodies feel. This is particularly the case for anyone suffering from asthma. High stress levels increase the chance that a person will suffer an asthma attack. Reductions in stress can alleviate the severity and length of attacks.
Exercise either in the early morning or late evening to avoid high pollen counts. There are lower amounts of pollen during these times, so optimize these time periods.
Try not to open windows during hours in which pollen is high. It’s nice to coax fresh air in the house, but you don’t want to open windows when a lot of pollen is flying about. In most areas, pollen levels are highest between the hours of 10 a.m. through 3 p.m. Look for times after 3 for opening up the house.
A great way to treat any type of bronchial allergies is to always make sure your body is getting enough fluids. If the body lacks fluids, mucosal membranes can grow dry and irritated. There will also be a build up of difficult to remove secretions from the mucosal glands when hydration is overlooked.
If you are allergic to latex, never assume that your physician or the nurse is already aware of it. Be sure to mention it because even the touch of a latex glove or stethoscope could cause you uncomfortable and serious allergic reactions.
Olive trees are quite popular as a landscape tree. However, they are not the best choice if you have allergies due to their high pollen count. Never plant this particular tree if you have allergies, and it also helps if you can spot this tree to avoid it. One solution that people have found for dealing with these trees is to hose them down for a few minutes per day.
Think about putting your entire family on an allergy-free diet to prevent cross contamination of foods known to cause allergies with blander regular foods. By ridding your home of those foods which trigger your allergy symptoms, you can be sure that traces of these problematic foods do not contaminate cooking, serving or storage surfaces in your kitchen.
Try not to get discouraged if the first couple of allergy treatments you try do not provide satisfactory results. In addition to oral medications, there are many other forms that can offer a reprieve from your allergic symptoms. A few over-the-counter alternatives include eye drops and nasal sprays, and there are prescriptions such as leukotriene blockers available.
Keep your house crumb-free to reduce exposure to allergens. You want to make sure rodents and cockroaches don’t find themselves in love with your home. Pests can leave droppings that will likely cause you to have severe reactions.
Keep your windows closed, and use your air conditioner with HEPA filter to keep the air in your home clean. Opening windows can cause pollen to get in the house and exacerbate the allergies. It is also important to clean any filters in vents and air-conditioners to reduce the amount of allergens in your home.
Keep your pets indoors on high-humidity and high-pollen days. Pollen can get in your pet’s hair and they can bring it inside.
If you own pets but also have allergies, you might wonder if the animal really is causing your problems. To find out whether or not your pet is the culprit, visit your doctor and ask to have a pet dander allergy test. If you are allergic to your pet, then do not worry. You will not have to re-home your favorite animal, you will just need to make a few small changes.
Neti pots are one method of relieving sinusitis. You can get neti pots at almost any health food store. These devices reduce the amount of mucus in your nostrils, as well as eradicate any pollen that might be lurking there. Mix one teaspoon of sea salt with a pint of warm water and rinse your nostrils twice a day.
When traveling, if you have a child who suffers from food allergies, make sure you stock up on foods safe for his or consumption. This is especially important if you are touring in a foreign country. It may be hard to find the ingredients on some foods, and this increases the chances of having an allergy attack.
Eliminate accumulated mold in your bathroom by cleaning it. Mold is very bad for you and you will not even know it, make sure you clean the bathroom, where it is most prevalant.
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. This means people who suffer from dry eyes, for example, should always carry some type of eye drops. Someone with a scratchy throat might want to have lozenges at the ready.
If you have allergies to airborne particulates like pollen or pet dander, an air filter with an integrated HEPA filter may be able to help. HEPA filters are very useful for limiting the pollen, dander and spores contained in the air of your home. Search for some brand filters and see if you can buy a HEPA filter for a reasonable price.
When allergy season is in full swing, try to avoid the use of a lot of hair styling aids, like sprays, gels and mousse. Your hair already picks up airborne allergens while you spend time outside. Styling products typically attract pollen, making you essentially allergic to your own hair.
If you enjoy the aroma of clean laundry, think about using fabric softener or a product without much scent. Letting your clothes dry outside will make them smell sun-kissed. It could also increase the risk of coming into contact with pollen, or spores. For people who have no sensitivity to fragrances or dyes, this is excellent.
If your eyes feel dry and itchy, don’t use your hands to rub them. Use antihistamine eye drops instead for your symptoms. If you use your hands to rub the area around your eyes, eyelash follicles may become irritated. As a result, you may experience recurrent allergic styes.
As you now know, many people are affected by allergies, whether as a result of mold, pollen, pet dander or otherwise. Seasonal or chronic allergies are uncomfortable and irritating, but they are certainly not the end of the world. By following the advice in this article, you can live your life sneeze-free!