Reactions to certain allergens can happen at different times in life. A child’s first exposure to potential allergens comes in the form of different foods. For this reason, food allergies tend to be the most common type of allergy in babies. As children grow and develop, they may develop pollen allergies. 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.
Things like coughing, watery eyes and a sore throat can be sign of a cold. Unfortunately, some people have allergic sensitivities that can force such symptoms on them when the seasons change or even all through the year. Use this article to fight the cause of allergies.
It is possible your carpet is an allergy culprit. Carpet is notorious for gathering allergens. If your home is carpeted throughout, you might look into other flooring options; tile, wood and linoleum are all far easier on your allergies. That way, you can greatly limit the number of allergens in the air. If getting rid of your carpet isn’t feasible, vacuum daily instead.
Test your reaction to first time over-the-counter allergy medications in your own home. A lot of them can cause you to be very sleepy and slow your reflexes. Even if the packaging does not contain a warning, when you take the first couple of doses, do it during a time that you are able to stay home and see how it makes you feel.
When dealing with children who are allergic to foodstuffs, bring safe snacks before leaving the house. Sometimes it is difficult to locate the contents of certain foods, increasing the risk of bringing on a reaction caused by nuts, dairy, soy and other common food allergens.
If you have to have a pet make sure they do not have a lot of fur. Certain types of fur or hair can be less or more problematic for allergy sufferers. To minimize allergic reactions to pets, forbid them from getting on the furniture or in your bed.
Monitor your stress level. Most people are unaware that getting stressed can trigger allergies. This is especially true for people with asthma. As the stress level increases, the risk of having an attack increases as well. While less stress won’t cure an allergy, it can make attacks less frequent and less severe.
Ensure that your bathroom is well-ventilated to keep mold and mildew at bay. These allergens thrive in warm, damp environments. Wet towels should be hung up, and a fan should be turned on after showering. You could also open a window a little bit or turn on an air vent.
When deciding on a new type of deodorant or skin care product, choose wisely. 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. Ingredients like this can be harmful to you and your skin.
If you’re exercising when pollen levels are high, try doing it in the late evening or early morning. Studies have shown pollen counts are lowest during these times.
Synthetic pillows are least likely to attract dust mites. Dust mites do not prefer these types of pillows, as their preference is the natural material pillows. It is still necessary to launder them to keep allergens and dust at bay, but they are still quite superior.
If you experience allergy symptoms but are unaware of the source of your irritation, your household pet may be to blame. Make an appointment with an allergist; a doctor can run tests to determine whether or not you are allergic to pet dander. Luckily, today pet allergies do not always mean you must part with your pet. It may be possible to make positive changes to alleviate the situation.
If you enjoy the aroma of clean laundry, think about using fabric softener or a product without much scent. Line-drying your clothing in the great outdoors might make them smell heavenly. But, it can also boost your chances of encountering spores and pollen. Specially scented laundry products are only recommended if you have no aversions to dyes or strong perfume type chemicals.
If your child suffers from allergies to foods, travel can be made easier by packing some of his “safe foods” for the trip – especially if you will be in a foreign country. It can be hard to find product labeling of foods that may contain items your child is allergic to.
If you have eye allergies then stop rubbing your eyes. As an alternative, you can use antihistamine eye drops. Rubbing you eyes will irritate the lash follicles and can result in allergic styes.
Many sufferers of allergens know they should make use of a humidifier in their bedrooms for moistening their airways while they are sleeping. This might not help as mist from your humidifier can settle on your carpet and encourage mold growth or become musty. To moisten airways, try using a saline nasal spray.
If you believe that your pet is the cause of your symptoms, make sure they are frequently bathed. Pet dander is notorious for causing allergy symptoms, but you can improve the situation through regular grooming. If possible, do not give your pet a bath yourself, as dander can fly around while you are bathing them and your allergies could act up.
Try scheduling regular exterminator visits if you have insects and pests. Cockroaches and rodent droppings can aggravate your allergies. By enlisting the help of an exterminator, you can breath easier.
Don’t stand alone and accept your allergies. While you may think that you are destined to a life of sniffling, there is help out there. Visit your local doctor if over-the-counter medications are not working for you. There are many effective prescription medications that your doctor can offer that will have you breathing freely once again!
Even the wrong antiperspirant can be an allergy nightmare. A lot of the time they have ingredients in them that are horrible for your skin condition and will cause you to break out, they also seep into pores. These ingredients can be bad for you and bad for your skin.
Protect yourself from allergens by not allowing pets to go outside too often when pollen counts are high. All the pollen can get on your pet’s coat, which will get in your home and trigger your allergies.
A lot of people use allergy medication but not enough or not the right way. A lot of medications need several days of usage to start working. If you begin sneezing, you should not expect to take a pill and have your symptoms vanish immediately. Check with doctors for information about the correct way to use medication.
Those with allergies should avoid smoking. Allergens negatively impact breathing by clogging sinuses and making your nose stuffy. Your breathing capacity is decreased by smoking. Also, smoking can trigger allergic reactions. The best thing allergy sufferers can do is avoid smoking and avoid second-hand smoke.
Don’t keep household garbage inside. Bugs and rodents can be attracted by indoor garbage. Your allergies can be made worse from mice droppings. If you can’t get rid of the rodents, consider trapping them. Poison is another alternative.
Make sure your home is very clean so you can eradicate the mold in your house. Mold, a harmful toxin, often causes allergic reactions for many people.
Natural Materials
Purchase synthetic pillows rather than those comprised of natural materials or feathers. Dust mites prefer natural materials, and will avoid synthetic material. While washing is still required if you want to avoid allergen build up, they are preferable to sleep with.
If your young child is suffering from allergies, then he or she should have some medication handy in case a severe reaction were to occur. A detailed note from your child’s allergist or pediatrician can provide clear instructions and explanations. Give the school a couple of doses of his medication in case of 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.
Don’t just jet off to the first exotic locale that appeals to you. If you or someone in your family suffers from allergies, this is a risky move. Before choosing a destination, do your homework to find information about weather conditions, pollen counts and other potential allergy triggers.
Avoiding allergic triggers can help some people, especially the ones that are allergic to foods, such as peanut butter or strawberries. It can be quite difficult to manage an allergy to pollen or pet dander. Remember the tips laid out here, so that you no longer have to deal with those symptoms.