Allergies are something with which many people are familiar. Some don’t know just how much they can affect someone’s life. The triggers and symptoms of your allergies do not have to control your life. This article is packed with useful guidelines for managing your allergy symptoms.
Dust Mites
It is virtually impossible to avoid dust mites. They live in pillows and mattresses. It is disgusting. A good solution to address dust mites is to use allergy bedding covers to completely enclose your mattress and pillows. You also want to do a weekly washing of all of your sheets in piping hot water to keep your bed clean.
Test your reaction to first time over-the-counter allergy medications in your own home. Many of them contain ingredients that can make you drowsy or impair your reflexes. Even if the product packaging does not contain any warnings, you should take the first several doses when you aren’t having to drive or do anything dangerous.
Pollen counts are higher and lower at different times of the day. Try to make the times you go outside happen in the wee morning hours, or late at night. Studies show that pollen levels are lowest at these times of the day and you will be most comfortable.
Try not to get discouraged if the first couple of allergy treatments you try do not provide satisfactory results. There are more than just ingestible options for allergy sufferers. Other alternatives include nasal sprays, nasal steroids, or eye drops.
If you have allergies and a pet, it may be difficult to determine whether or not your pet is causing you allergy problems. Instead of assuming that your pet is the cause, visit an allergist to get tested. This does not mean that you must give your pet away, but you have to change the way you live with him or her.
People are more likely to have allergies at different times in their lives. For instance, babies are first given protein when eating food, which is why food allergies are so common in small children. It is not unusual for growing children to develop pollen allergies later in life as a result of exposure to various protein allergens when very young. Do not discount the possibility of an allergic reaction in your child simply because there has never been a reaction to non-food allergens in the past.
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. This means people who suffer from dry eyes, for example, should always carry some type of eye drops. As another example, those with scratchy throats can carry throat lozenges or mints.
Don’t forget your medication when you go on vacation. The pollen and plants of a strange and different place may easily cause you to experience allergy symptoms. If your allergic reactions have ever been severe, discuss carrying an Epi-pen with your physician. This can deliver a dose of epinephrine that can save your life during a severe allergy attack.
Reduce the number of carpets and rugs kept in your house. Unfortunately pollen and dust tend to collect on them. If you would like to add rugs to your home to soften the decor, make sure you get washable ones so you can clean them regularly to remove any allergens.
If you are a parent of a child with food allergies and are going on a trip, keep a bunch of safe foods with you. That is especially recommended if you are considering foreign travel. You may find it hard to find ingredient lists for some food items, thereby increasing the danger that an allergic reaction to dairy, nuts or other triggers may occur.
While waiting for the garbage man, keep your garbage outdoors. When it is indoors, it can attract rodents and bugs. Rodent droppings can worsen allergies. The last thing you need are rats crawling around leaving droppings everywhere, make sure you get rid of them with traps. If that’s not effective, you may have to use poison.
Household Items
If you have a latex allergy, it is essential to stay away from latex products altogether. Some examples of household items that usually contain latex are: bandages, gloves, condoms and clothes. You are usually purchase latex free versions of these household items, so ask your local pharmacist for advice when buying such items. Be sure to thoroughly check labels for any latex warnings.
Consulting a doctor or other medical professional is a good idea when you’re taking allergy medication, even the non-prescription kind. A doctor will have the ability to give you sound advice and verify that your medication is appropriate.
Remove pillows made with feathers or other natural fillers, and make a switch to synthetic pillows. Dust mites prefer the natural materials more than synthetics. It is still necessary to launder them to keep allergens and dust at bay, but they are still quite superior.
When pollen is high, do not open your windows. It’s nice to coax fresh air in the house, but you don’t want to open windows when a lot of pollen is flying about. In most areas, pollen levels are highest between the hours of 10 a.m. through 3 p.m. Open your windows after this time to let your home air out.
Be sure that your surroundings are as clean as they can be. Allergies are often triggered by multiple things in the environment. If you eliminate as many of those things as you can from your immediate surroundings, your symptoms will not be as severe. In order to lessen your allergy symptoms, make sure that your immediate surroundings are as clean as possible.
A lot of people suffer from latex allergies, and if you’re one of them, be sure that you’re staying far away from the product. Things like condoms, clothing, bandages, and gloves may contain latex. There are ways to get around all of these things, as your physician or pharmacist. Additionally, make sure that you read labels in case a product contains latex.
Model Vacuums
People with allergies need to vacuum often. This will reduce the number of allergens in your home. Make sure your vacuum is still doing its job. Older model vacuums tend to disperse allergens into the air. Newer model vacuums come equipped with HEPA filters that can trap over 99% of allergens and small particles to stop them from circulating in the air.
Purchase an air humidifier and run it in your home. This is a good investment that may stop all allergens from circulating around your home. The humidifier’s water droplets work to attract airborne allergens and keep them contained. This lowers the amount of allergens that you would normally inhale throughout the day.
If you are a suffer of allergies you have likely experienced the effects of having a post-nasal drip. Symptoms often include having a sore throat, which can be treated by gargling salt water. Simply combine a teaspoon of table salt and a half a cup of warm tap water. Take a mouthful and swish it through your teeth. Tilt your head back and allow the saltwater to clean your throat. This will soothe the throat all of the time.
People who have food allergies find it hard live a normal life. Don’t fear the changing seasons anymore. Learn how you can effectively manage your allergy symptoms. Use these tips to control your sneezing fits.