We have all heard of allergies and their debilitating symptoms; however, many people are not truly aware of how difficult it is to live with chronic allergies. Avoidance of triggers sounds like an easy solution, but it isn’t an option for those easily irritated by air particles. Read this article for more tips.
It’s quite tempting to pop your house’s windows open for a little cheap, all-natural ventilation when the weather outside is right. Opening your windows can lead to allergic reactions. For best results, outfit your air conditioner with a HEPA filter, which will reduce the amount of allergens indoors. This will help you breathe easier; even though, the air may not seem as fresh.
Are you aware of the fact that your body might be causing you to experience allergic reactions? Believe it or not, it’s true! Through the day pollen and dust build up on your skin, hair and clothes. If you don’t wash up, you can be attacked by all of these substances when you sleep. That’s just one of the many good reasons to go to bed clean and wearing fresh pajamas.
To be on the safe side, test any new store-bought antihistamine at home first. This type of medication can cause drowsiness and slowed reflexes. Even if there aren’t serious warnings on the package, take your first does at home instead of when you have to drive.
Get rid of the carpeting in your home to fight allergies. Carpet is infamous for dead dust mites, pollen and dust. If you can afford it, consider replacing carpet with wood or laminate flooring. A simple switch will make a world of difference in terms of how you feel and how you and your family react to the fewer allergens present in the home. Even still, you need to clean your hardwood floors just as often.
Pay close attention to what times of day your allergy symptoms occur. Pollen and other allergens are higher at different times of the day. Check the website local news weather station to see if they share allergen counts, along with the times per day those allergens are highest. Avoid going out when counts are highest. If you absolutely have to go out, keep the time and limit your activity.
If you have a child with food allergies and you are planning a trip, remember to pack an assortment of known “safe” foods before you leave. This is especially true when visiting foreign countries. It may be hard to find the ingredients on some foods, and this increases the chances of having an allergy attack.
Throughout one’s lifetime, an individual may experience fluctuating levels of vulnerability to different allergens. For instance, food allergies are prevalent in small children, who are just getting their first exposure to different foods. As your children grow they can be exposed to a lot of different protein allergies and become allergic to pollen. If your child suffers from any sort of allergy, get them to the doctor for an allergy test to learn exactly what they are allergic to.
If outdoor allergens are giving you grief, it is best to travel in your car with all windows rolled up, and always keep it clean. Shut AC vents to help keep down the number of allergens that enter your car. Vacuuming your car regularly will keep the seats free of anything that might accumulate. This can lessen your allergy problems.
Allergy Medication
Be sure your doctor knows if you take an over the counter allergy medication. If your doctor has prescribed an allergy medication, be sure to follow in doctors’ orders. A doctor can direct you on the proper way to take your medication, as well as ensure that it is the right medication for you to take.
Consider going without carpet. Carpet is known to collect dust mites, pollen and pet dander. If you are one of those people have carpet from wall-to-wall, think about switching to laminate, wood or tile, if you can afford it. Doing so will greatly reduce a concentration of allergy triggers in your home. If this isn’t possible, vacuum daily.
During allergy season, refrain from using sprays, gels or creams in your hair. When outside, your hair can attract allergens like pollen. Styling products are often pollen magnets, and will turn your hair into an allergen mess.
Keep rugs and carpets to a minimum when you are decorating your residence. Dust and pollen tend to settle on carpets and rugs. If you prefer to decorate with rugs, be certain that they can be washed, and do so regularly to rid them of allergens.
When the pollen count is high, don’t open your windows. Pollen is looking for a place to land. It blows around with the wind and can even fit through those ridiculously tiny holes in your window screen. 10 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon are the prime pollen hours. If you really need to open up a window in the home, do it during the evening hours when the pollen has settled.
Make sure your car is closed and clean to fight allergies. Keeping all the vents closed and turning on the air conditioner will help to keep pollen as well as other types of allergens out of the vehicle. Allergen build-up in the upholstery and seats can be avoided if you remember to vacuum them regularly. This could cause a reduction in allergies.
Because so many allergy triggers are found in the air, it can be hard to avoid them. Do not allow allergens to control the way you live your life, this can make it much harder to live your life. Keep these tips handy and soon you will be breathing better again.