Do you have to stay indoors when the weather is warm in order to avoid the symptoms of allergies? You don’t need to be one of the millions of people who deal with allergy symptoms. There are a lot of different allergens that can cause you to have various symptoms. Keep reading in order to learn more about how to tackle your own allergy symptoms.
If you have never tried a certain over-the-counter antihistamine yet, do so when you are home. Some of these can make you sleepy and impair your reflexes. It’s always a good idea to try the medication out in a safe environment once or twice. Although the label may not include any dramatic warnings, you don’t want to find out that you react poorly to the medicine while you’re driving.
For safety’s sake, remember to use over-the-counter antihistamine when you are at home. Many antihistamines have ingredients that cause drowsiness or slowed reflexes. 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.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are everywhere. As the name implies, mites love to burrow in your mattress and pillows, feasting on your discarded skin cells! Yuck! It is possible to fight these home invaders, however. There are special mattress and pillowcases with zippers that are specifically designed to keep dust mites out. The follow-up is weekly cleaning of your bedding with a very hot wash, since heat is a dust mite killer.
Dust mites can be hard to avoid. Like their name describes, they live in pillows and mattresses feeding on flakes of skin. Gross! There are special “dust mite resistant” casings that you can purchase to cover pillows and mattresses to keep them out. Wash your bedding in piping hot water every week; it will kill dust mites.
The best pet for a person with allergies is one that has short fur or no fur at all. Every sort of animal may worsen allergy symptoms, but longer-haired ones tend to make things worse. To further minimize pet allergies, don’t let them sleep in the same bed as you.
Are you aware that your body may be causing some of your allergies? Believe it or not, it’s true! Throughout the day, pollen and dust in the air gets onto your clothing, hair and body. By day’s end, particularly when you climb into bed, such material has the ability to disrupt your breathing. Try showering, and putting on fresh night-clothes before you hit the sack for a good night’s sleep!
Age can actually play an important role in your allergy profile. For example, food allergies are more common in infants as they are exposed to different things for the first time. As they age, they may become tolerant of some allergens, and can become sensitive to new ones as they are introduced to them. 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.
If you exercise when the levels of pollen are high, make sure to do it in early morning or late at night. Studies show that pollen levels are lowest at these times of the day and you will be most comfortable.
A great thing to do when you have bronchial allergies is to make sure you are always hydrated. If you’re deprived of fluids, your mucous membranes can become inflamed or dry. Mucosal glands will produce difficult-to-break-up secretions when hydration isn’t sufficient, affecting your bronchial tubes.
To prevent mold and mildew, you should keep your bathroom ventilated well. Hot, humid conditions are outstanding for cultivating these allergens. 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 you do not have a fan, crack a window to allow fresh air to circulate.
Do not give up on treating your allergies, even if you think you’ve tried everything. Aside from usual oral medications, many other forms exist that can help with your symptoms. For instance, try over-the-counter nasal sprays and eye drops for allergy eyes or even prescription alternatives, such as leukotriene blockers and nasal steroids.
Keep your windows closed during the height of allergy season so that outdoor allergens can’t get inside. If your windows are open, pollen can collect in your home and cause your allergies to worsen. It is also important to clean your filters in your air conditioners and vents in order to keep allergens at bay.
Skin tests for allergens are helpful in determining exactly what you are allergic to, but not so good for figuring out how allergic you are to a certain substance. For instance, tests may show that you have sensitivity with a specific variety of spore. It may be that you suffer only very mild symptoms when the allergen is present, or you may suffer nothing whatsoever.
If you have pets and struggle with allergies, you may not know whether your pet is adding to your troubles. In order to find out, get tested for an allergy to pet dander. You do not have to give up your pet, but you might want to make some alterations in your lifestyle.
Many allergy sufferers may have been advised to put a humidifier in their rooms so that their airways can be moistened. Yet this might not be smart because all of the mist can cause mold around the area where the humidifier is located. Try using saline spray prior to bed for keeping your nasal passages moist.
In western states, olive trees are very popular when it comes to landscaping. However, these trees produce huge amounts of pollen. Understanding what this tree looks like will help you figure out the best way to avoid trouble with your allergies. Many folks reduce the pollen in their environment by running a hose on the problem tree for several minutes each day.
As you can see by now, you can live with allergies and be happy and comfortable. By following the suggestions and tips we offer here, you will soon be enjoying your life to the fullest without fear of your allergies.
