Although you may be enticed to open your windows to save cooling costs during nice weather, keep them closed. However, this could lead to allergy flare-ups. Instead, run your air conditioner outfitted with an allergen reducing HEPA filter. You may miss the feeling of fresh air, but your breathing will be much better.
Allergies are extremely common; however, not everybody really understands the large impact that allergies can have on a person’s life. Do not allow your allergy triggers to have control over you. Learn how you can control your symptoms so that you can breathe more easily. Read the article below for ways to effectively deal with your allergies.
Consider removing all carpets from your home. Carpet is known to collect dust mites, pollen and pet dander. If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, consider switching to wood, laminate or tile floors, if finances allow. That will create a major difference in the number of allergens you breathe in every day. If you can’t, vacuum every day.
Allergy Medications
If you continue to have allergy symptoms, keep track of the time. Pollen is out in full force between the hours of 5 and 10 a.m., so if at all possible, avoid going out during these times. If you have to go out, limit the time you are exposed.
Test your reaction to first time over-the-counter allergy medications in your own home. These medications are known for having ingredients that can slow down your reaction time or even make you fall asleep. Anytime you are trying a new allergy medication, you should give yourself plenty of time to determine what the results will be. Even allergy medications that do not carry dire warnings may cause problems when driving or performing other potentially dangerous feats.
Keep an eye on your stress levels. Stress can be a major factor in causing you to have allergic reactions. People who have asthma know this more than anything. Any significant increase in stress levels carries an equally increased risk for experiencing an asthma attack. For allergies in general, you should do whatever you can to ensure that your stress is always at a manageable level.
Except in extreme conditions, dust mites are almost impossible to avoid. As you might expect from their name, you can find them burrowed deep in your pillows or mattress as they feast on skin cells that have been shed. Disgusting! However, you can fight back with the use of specially designed covers for your pillows and mattresses. Wash your bedding in piping hot water every week; it will kill dust mites.
It’s important to keep bathrooms clean. Bathrooms are a breeding ground for mold, and should be cleaned at least once a week. 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.
You should get a pet with very little fur if you are an allergy sufferer. Any animal that you are allergic to can cause unpleasant symptoms, but those with longer fur make symptoms worse. As long as you consistently bathe the animals and do not allow it to sleep with you, you shouldn’t have that much of an issue.
If you enjoy smelling clean laundry, use fabric softener or detergent with a light fragrance. Letting your clothes dry outside will make them smell sun-kissed. Drying clothes on a clothes line can increase pollen and mold spores on clothing. Consider using a natural laundry detergent for a fresh scent instead, but make sure the detergent doesn’t contain ingredients that you are allergic to.
Make sure your lavatory is well-ventilated if you want to keep mildew and mold at bay. Allergens like these tend to do very well in warm and damp surroundings. Air out towels well immediately after use. If you use a sponge or cloth in the shower, air them out well, and launder them often. If your bathroom does not contain a fan, open a window to help remove the moisture.
Your allergies may be caused or made worse by mold. One way to prohibit the growth of mold is to clean your refrigerator seals regularly. Water collects on these seals and causes mold overgrowth. If not properly cleaned, the refrigerator will release mold spores into the air whenever it is opened or closed.
If you’re planning outdoor exercise during high-pollen season, do it either early in the day or late at night. Studies have shown pollen counts are lowest during these times.
You must never expect that allergies to latex will be seen by a doctor or nurse. Always let them know so they don’t use gloves or other supplies that have latex in them.
The best way to fight bronchial allergy issues is to keep yourself hydrated. Mucosal membranes can become inflamed and dry without enough fluids. When you do not hydrate yourself enough you affect your bronchial tubes by having them produce mucus that can annoy you.
Wash your hair often when your seasonal allergies pop up. Pet dander, pollen, dust and spores may alight on your hair follicles. Because the hair is not far from the nasal area, trapped allergens can make allergies worse. When allergy season is heartily up on you, be certain to shampoo your hair every day.
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. Sometimes, ingredients won’t be clearly labeled on food items, and you don’t want to risk your child consuming that item he is allergic to.
Make an effort to include vitamin C in your diet; at minimum, take vitamin C supplements to give your immune system a boost. Vitamin C is in juices and fruits, such as strawberries, or you can buy Vitamin C supplements to help fight allergies.
A lot of those with allergies have gotten the suggestion to get a humidifier to moisten the airways as one sleeps. This might not be a great way to do this because the humidifier can get the carpet wet which causes a musty smell. Instead, use a saline spray prior to bedtime in order to keep your nasal passages moist.
Bleach is well-known for killing mold and getting things very clean. Bleach may bother some allergy sufferers and those that have breathing issues. If you have to use bleach, protect your hands with gloves and wear a breathing mask. Keeping windows and doors open while you use bleach will also make it much easier to breathe.
If you see any visitors that are unwanted, like mice or insects, think about having the exterminator drop by consistently. Feces from vermin, including cockroaches and rodents, can greatly increase the severity of allergy symptoms. You may want to consider hiring an exterminator to get rid of these rodents.
Allergies are hereditary, so if you and/or your better half have allergies, your kids have a high chance of having them as well. Observe your children during allergy season and consider allergy testing when they are young if you see any symptoms. Working with their doctor can reduce the risk of prevent life-threatening episodes with early intervention.
Learn what items contain latex so that you can eliminate them from your home if you have a latex allergy. Some of the things that have latex in them are gloves, clothing, condoms, and bandages. You can usually find alternative materials for these items. Additionally, look for latex warnings on product labels.
Make sure you regularly clean your bathroom, as you want to prevent any build-up of mold. Mold can be harmful or deadly, so it is very important to keep it at bay in the bathroom.
When you choose pillows, be sure to choose a synthetic material because many natural materials (especially feathers) can cause allergies. Dust mites do not prefer these types of pillows, as their preference is the natural material pillows. While synthetic pillows should still be cleaned to reduce allergen build-up, they are far less likely to irritate your allergies.
Instead of accepting the irritating and uncomfortable symptoms of your allergies, learn how to treat them. Two different things you can do is use a nasal irrigation with saline or take Claritin. Remember the tricks listed in this guide and keep looking for ways to live better despite having allergies.