Nobody is likely to dispute the irritation and suffering allergies of all types can cause. In order to successfully battle allergies, a thorough understanding of their causes and treatments is necessary. Study the tips in the article that follows, and you will be prepared to eradicate the inconvenience for which allergies are, so often, responsible.
If you battle pollen and spores while indoors, avoid leaving your windows open for longer than an hour or two. At the very least, close them between the hours of 5 and 10 in the morning; this is the time of day in which plants and flowers release their highest concentrations of pollen.
If you must work, drive or otherwise function all day, stay away from allergy medications that induce drowsiness. A number of less-drowsy formulas are available now, such as loratadine. These medications provide a safer way to control your symptoms on the days that you cannot nap in the middle of the afternoon.
Have separate shoes for indoor and outdoor use. If you do a lot of work in your garden or simply enjoy being outdoors, have a pair of shoes set aside specifically for these activities. When it is time to come inside, your shoes, along with the pollen and dust they carry, can be left at the door – minimizing the allergens that make it into your home.
Be sure to wash your hair immediately when you get inside, if you suffer from allergies and there was pollen outside. You do not want to allow the pollen to stay in your hair for too long, as this can trigger your allergy symptoms. It is best to wash your hair twice.
Olive trees have become popular in many western states. But, such trees tend to produce excessive amounts of pollen. Therefore it is important to identify these trees and protect yourself. Interestingly, you can reduce pollen significantly by simply soaking the tree with a water hose once a day.
Avoid using throw rugs in your home. These can collect dust and mold and can make allergies worse. If you must have rugs in your home, choose ones that can be washed. You should wash them at least once every few weeks to minimize the build up of dust and mold.
If you have tried one or two allergy treatments with no relief, don’t give up just yet. In addition to the standard pill medications, your doctor has many other forms of medication to treat allergy symptoms. Just stop in at your local mega-mart and you’ll find a wide range of treatments like nasal sprays, Benadryl, different cough and eye drops, and other meds that are designed to treat all sorts of allergies.
Instead of treating your child’s allergy symptoms only as they occur, discuss preventive measures with a pediatrician. Studies have shown that allergy medications are most effective when taken routinely throughout the year, not just during allergy season. A physician can determine whether or not this approach is appropriate for your child.
If you have the same symptoms from your allergies, it might be better so simply address the symptoms rather than completely trying to avoid allergic reactions. That means, for example, that those who have dry eyes should just carry eye drops with them. Someone with a scratchy throat might want to have lozenges at the ready.
Bathrooms are a common source of mold, which can trigger itching and irritation in allergy sufferers. Running an overhead exhaust fan while taking a hot bath or shower reduces moisture in the air and helps to prevent the growth of mold. Wash bath mats and hand towels frequently with hot water.
Many children have difficulty swallowing medication in pill or capsule form, making it a major undertaking to get allergy medication down without tears or a fight. If this sounds like your little one, consider switching to an orally disintegrating tablet. These lozenges dissolve quickly on the tongue and taste like fruit or mint.
Our bedding, curtains, comforters, and towels are all potential sources for dust mites. Dust mites are a very common cause of allergies. If you wash these items in hot water that is a minimum of 130 degrees. You will kill the dust mites, and reduce the allergens in your living environment.
Get tested by a doctor to find out what exactly you are allergic to. You can try to find out on your own, but seeing a doctor and having the appropriate blood tests are the only ways to know for sure. Once you have pinpointed the cause of your allergies, you can better treat them.
You can reduce your exposure to allergens by, being paying close attention to the weather. You can do your outside chores, and activities on days that have lower pollen counts such as overcast, rainy or humid days. Pollen is released by plants at dawn, and the count is higher on dry, warm mornings. The count can peak at midday, and stay high on a warm, and breezy day well into the evening.
Outdoor allergies can make it difficult to enjoy the warm weather in spring. Everything is pollinating which makes it impossible to avoid breathing pollen laden air, so your best defense is probably medication. There are several good over-the-counter medications which are very effective. A few of them even last 24 hours so you can live a nearly normal life.
Allergies can be a source of extreme discomfort, runny noses, itchy eyes and all around, agony. If you truly wish to rid yourself of the effects of seasonal and other allergies, you must take the time to acquire a bit of education on the topic. Keep this piece close at hand, and you will have all the tools you need.
