In the US, about 90% of the time, we’re outdoors, but over 50% of Americans have allergies. Clearly, this would indicate that a huge number of people either suffer from allergies terribly or have found a way of quelling their symptoms. Luckily, this article contains some tips that will help allergy sufferers to live life to the fullest, in spite of their allergies.
If you have the chance to choose, avoid placing large rugs or carpets in any rooms inside your house. It is almost impossible to truly clean a carpet, and carpet fibers collect pet dander, pollen, mites, dust, and other allergens. Try to install floors that can be mopped and swept with ease.
Dust mites are an unavoidable allergen. Like their name describes, they live in pillows and mattresses feeding on flakes of skin. They can’t be seen easily, but they are there and contribute to allergies for some people. In order to manage this problem, use zippered pillow cases and mattress covers. The follow-up is weekly cleaning of your bedding with a very hot wash, since heat is a dust mite killer.
In good weather, you might want to open all of your windows in order to reduce your energy bill. This process does carry the risk of increased allergy attacks, though. Air conditioners with HEPA filters will help remove allergens from indoor air. Although air conditioned air may not create as nice of a breeze, you will breathe easier.
Your body could be causing an allergic reaction. This is often true! No matter where you go, you are constantly bombarded with pollen, dust, dander, etc. If you settle into bed with all those allergens still attached to you, then night-time discomfort can result. To avoid this, make sure that you shower and clean constantly. If you don’t, you’ll suffer from more reactions.
If you want to fight back against bronchial allergy symptoms, it’s important to stay well-hydrated. Without fluids, your mucosal membranes may become dry or inflamed. Mucosal glands may also produce thick, stubborn secretions; drinking enough water can help to prevent this.
Closing the windows of your home may be the best way to keep allergens from ever getting in. Pollen can easily get inside the home through open windows, and cause your allergy symptoms to escalate. It is also important to clean your filters in your air conditioners and vents in order to keep allergens at bay.
If you’ve tried a couple allergy treatments without success, don’t give up. In addition to oral medications, there are many other forms that can offer a reprieve from your allergic 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.
Most allergy sufferers have been told at one time or another to use a humidifier in the bedroom to moisten airways during sleep. However, you may not want to do this because the mist that comes out of the humidifier can settle on your carpet. As a result, mold accumulates, and it will get musty. Give a saline spray a try instead. This will moisten the nasal passages during sleep.
Stress Levels
Monitor your stress level. It is not widely known that stress levels play a large role in allergic reactions. For individuals who suffer from asthma already, stress can definitely worsen the effects of allergies. Stress levels in asthma sufferers is something that should be closely watched. This isn’t a cure, but may help you have fewer, less severe attacks.
If your allergies constantly give the same symptoms, it is generally better to treat the symptoms themselves instead of trying to avoid an allergic reaction. People with dry eyes can utilize eye drops, for example. So if you have an itchy throat, then carry with you what helps alleviate your symptoms.
If you have exhausted all the usual allergy treatments with little or no relief, it may be time to visit your doctor for advice. They might be able to prescribe something to finally get your allergies under control and make life manageable for you. Your doctor may also be able to recommend lifestyle changes that can reduce or eliminate your allergy symptoms.
If you have mice in your home, or even an infestation of bugs, you should get an exterminator in there forthwith to handle the problem to help with your allergies. Feces from vermin, including cockroaches and rodents, can greatly increase the severity of allergy symptoms. A visit from an exterminator can take care of these problems, which will keep you healthier and breathing easier.
A big trigger of allergic reactions is the time of day that you exercise, and where you exercise. As you work out, you breathe more heavily than normal. If you exercise inside and at the time the pollen population is not as high, it will reduce your pollen intake.
Where and when you exercise can make you more vulnerable to allergic reactions. You breathe deeper and harder as you continue to exercise. If you exercise indoors during times when pollen count is at its lowest, you will reduce the amount of allergens entering your body.
When allergy season is at its height, avoid using creams, gels and sprays to create your hairdos. Your hair will inevitably pick up allergens in the air, such as pollen, whenever you go outside. But, such styling items tend to attract pollen, which will surely make your allergies worse.
If you have a latex allergy, do not use products that contain it. Some things to avoid that you may not think of are latex bandages, condoms, clothing and latex gloves. You can find alternatives to a lot of these items, just ask your local pharmacist or doctor for help on where you can find them. Also, always look over all labels to see if there are any latex warnings.
As mentioned at the start of this article, most Americans spend a lot of time outdoors even though more than half of us suffer from some kind of allergy. Whether you struggle with allergies to pollen, spores, pet dander or others, by now you should have a better idea of what you can do to live your life to its fullest.
If you have a latex allergy, avoid anything that contains it. You should avoid latex clothing, gloves, bandages and condoms. Fortunately, there are a number of alternative products; a pharmacist or medical supply specialist may be able to direct you to them. Also remember to look at the labels for warnings and it will serve as a heads-up.