If you suffer from allergy symptoms, then you realize how bad they can get. Allergies are the cause of much pain and frustration for many people. Fortunately, there are some ways to treat allergies. Check out the following tips, all of which detail methods you can use to effective reduce the severity of allergy symptoms.
For safety’s sake, remember to use over-the-counter antihistamine when you are at home. Some of these can make you sleepy and impair your reflexes. Make sure you stay inside when you first take your medications so you know how they affect you.
There is no way that you can avoid dust mites. As you can probably guess, these little guys are living throughout your bedding and pillows, making a meal of your dead skin flakes. Disgusting! Create a hostile environment for mites by purchasing zippered hypoallergenic cases and covers for your pillows and mattress. Be sure to wash your bedding weekly in hot water to kill off dust mites.
Different age groups have different levels of vulnerability to allergens. For instance, food allergies are prevalent in small children, who are just getting their first exposure to different foods. 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. If your child begins to display allergic symptoms to pollen or spores, don’t rule out a true allergic reaction simply because he or she previously displayed no indications of a non-food allergy.
While tests can be performed that identify what you are allergic to, no one can predict how severe your reactions will be. For instance, a test might indicate that you’re allergic to a particular type of spore. You might be one of those people that experiences allergy symptoms so mildly that you do not feel any discomfort.
There are lots of allergy medications available, some are sold over the counter and others are available only with a doctor’s prescription. See if you can get some samples from your doctor or go out buy a small package to test it out. If that product doesn’t work for you, you won’t be out a lot of money, and you can try another one.
One way to reduce the amount of unwanted allergens in your home is to keep the windows closed. If your windows are open, you invite irritating pollen into the home. Also, to eliminate allergens, be sure your air conditioning and vents are clean.
If you are traveling with a child who has food allergies, stock up on “safe foods” before you depart – especially when visiting a foreign country. It can be difficult to ascertain whether a food contains allergic ingredients when traveling.
Limit the amount of stress to which you exposure yourself. A lot of people are unaware that stress is a major cause of allergic reactions. This holds true for those with asthma too. The higher their stress level, the more chances of an attack. Although, it won’t cure allergies, it will help the amount of allergic reactions experienced.
If your allergy symptoms are always the same, you are better off treating them instead of attempting to prevent allergic reactions. For example, those who suffer from itchy or dry eyes would be wise to carry around eye drops. So if you have an itchy throat, then carry with you what helps alleviate your symptoms.
A big trigger of allergic reactions is the time of day that you exercise, and where you exercise. Exercising causes harder, deeper breathing which means you breathe in more of whatever type of pollen is floating around outside. If you exercise inside and at the time the pollen population is not as high, it will reduce your pollen intake.
If you’re taking any type of allergy medication, remember to consult a medical professional. These professionals will monitor the type of medication you are taking, as well as the dosage. They can change what you are taking if a medication isn’t working.
Be sure that you use your allergy medication as directed. Many of these types of medications require you to use them for several days before you feel the benefits. Don’t just start taking pills without learning how to use them. Be sure to talk to a doctor about the proper usage.
If you have been outside for 60 minutes or so, it is almost certain that you have attracted at least some airborne allergens. Make sure you take a shower before you go to bed. A shower will cleanse you of any mold spores, pollen or other allergy-causing irritants. These things can settle in on your hair or your skin.
Your child may have allergy medication to treat allergic reactions. Make sure to ask your doctor for a note which details any allergy problems. Make sure someone at school has a dose or two of the necessary medication, just in case. At the beginning of each school year, provide your child’s school with a detailed list of problematic allergens. It also helps to keep a copy of this list in your child’s backpack.
If you enjoy the sweet smells of air dried laundry, try a fabric softener or light detergent. Although hanging you clothes outdoors may sound wonderful, it is a bad idea. It may also increase your risk of inhaling spores or pollen. Only line dry clothes when pollen counts are low or you are sensitive to fragrances or dyes.
As you now know, you don’t have to live unhappily with allergies. There are methods you can use to lower the severity of your reactions. Use what you’ve learned here, and take control of your allergies.