Coughing, sneezing, runny nose, itchy throat and watery eyes are all symptoms of the common cold, which many people experience during the winter months. Unfortunately, these are also common allergic symptoms, which many people can experience year-round. Learn to manage your symptoms by reading the helpful tips in this article.
Dry your clothes indoors. While hanging clothes outdoors to dry is good for the environment, it is not so good, if you suffer from allergies. Laundry that is hanging outside acts as an efficient pollen catcher, ensuring that the next time you wear those clean clothes, you will be reaching for the antihistamines.
Make your home a little more allergy-free by implementing a no-shoes policy. Why? Because shoes come in from outdoors and carry with them dirt and pollen among other things, only adding to the indoor allergens you are already trying to eliminate. When guests come, offer them slippers or socks you keep especially for this purpose!
Although skin tests are good in identifying allergens, it’s impossible to use the test’s results in predicting the severity of a person’s allergic reaction when it comes to those substances. For instance, the skin test may reveal that you are sensitive to a spore that is common in your region. But judging what type of reaction you would have to this spore is nearly impossible. You may only experience relatively mild symptoms, while you may end up suffering a severe reaction.
People can be affected by allergies at any age. Many Baby Boomers grew up without access to allergy tests, and other medical resources. They have lived with allergic symptoms for decades. Allergic reactions often manifest differently in seniors than in young people. For example, older adults may experience itching, and mild swelling, but not localized redness. As a result, many assume that the cause of discomfort is something other than allergies. An allergy test can help seniors to identify allergens, and live their golden years to the fullest.
Pinpoint your allergy triggers in order to prevent your symptoms. Your doctor or allergist can perform blood or skin tests to determine which substances cause an allergic reaction. This step helps you minimize your exposure to the substances that cause the most discomfort for you. You may also be able to narrow down your treatments to target specific allergens.
Olive trees are quite popular as a landscape tree. Unfortunately, this type of tree produces more pollen than many other varieties. Learning to recognize this tree will help prepare you to protect yourself from its allergy-producing properties. Many folks reduce the pollen in their environment by running a hose on the problem tree for several minutes each day.
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, a good place to start would be trying over-the-counter medications. Be sure to choose the medication that is for your specific type of allergy. If you are unsure, there are medicines that treat all different types of allergies. Always be sure to follow the directions on the package.
Make sure that your home is free of irritants as much as possible when coping with allergies. You should vacuum frequently with a vacuum that is equipped with a HEPA (High-Efficient Particulate Air) filter. This will help capture airborne particles, such as mold, dust, pollen, bacteria and dust mites, which are common causes of allergies.
Take caution when reading the newspaper. This may sound crazy, but if you often have allergies that irritate your skin, your newspaper might be hurting you. Try sticking your newspaper in the oven for a few minutes to bake the ink on the paper more, and you will experience less skin allergies on your fingers and hands.
Many people can have allergic reactions to the household cleaners they are using in their home. Many times this problem can be solved by simply switching to natural products and getting away from chemical cleaners. Baking soda, plain soap, vinegar, and lemon juice can all be used to clean your home naturally.
Don’t just jet off to the first exotic locale that appeals to you. This can be tricky if anyone in the family has to deal with allergies. Before choosing a destination, do your homework to find information about weather conditions, pollen counts and other potential allergy triggers.
If you experience itching, swelling, or redness after removing rings or earrings, you may have a nickel allergy. This metal is often found in inexpensive jewelry, it causes allergy symptoms in many people. Look for jewelry specifically labeled “nickel-free” to prevent this reaction from occurring in the future.
If you suffer from allergies, it is crucial that you do not have any cockroaches in your home. If you do, be sure to hire an exterminator immediately. Believe it or not, the waste produced by cockroaches can cause allergy symptoms, including a stuffy or runny nose, as well as, sinus infections.
When picking out furniture for your home, keep your allergies in mind. Smooth, wipeable surfaces like leather and vinyl are good choices. Wooden furniture is a valid choice, too, especially if it comes with washable cushions or covers. Avoid upholstered furniture that will be hard to keep clean; mites, dust, dander and other irritants can be impossible to remove.
If you are someone who is sensitive to getting a lot of allergies, then make sure you always carry some type of cloth or tissue. Do not be that person with a runny nose that does nothing about it. Be prepared at all times.
Make sure your allergies are not trigger by a pet. Do you have any cats around the house? Sometimes cats can make people have allergic reactions, and they don’t even know it. Consider staying away from any cats for a couple of days to see if you notice a difference in your allergies. You might have to stay away from the cat from now on.
Instead of letting your allergic triggers run your life, you should stay informed about your different options for treating allergies. Nasal saline irrigation and non-drowsy antihistamines are two inexpensive options for those with troublesome allergies. Remember the tips in this article and stop the constant sneezing and blowing your nose!
