No matter if it’s hay fever or pollen allergies, for a lot of people summer is a hard season to enjoy. Don’t feel forced to be inside while loved ones are enjoying the sun! Learn how to manage your allergies by reading on.
To keep pollen at bay you should wash your bedding every few days, pollen can gather on you and your clothing from outside and be brought inside. If it gets on your sheets and bedding, it can cause an allergic reaction overnight, and you will get less sleep than usual.
If you participate in outdoor activities like camping, jogging or team sports, you may need to wash your workout clothes or uniform more frequently than usual– after every time you wear it, if possible. Some people who are especially sensitive may even become irritated by grass stains, sweat or dirt on their clothing.
Watch your local weather forecast to see if pollen is high for that day. If it is, it’s best that you minimize your time spent outdoors. If you do want to go outdoors, make sure it’s not between the hours of 5 and 10 A.M. This is the time when pollen is high.
Determine why you itch. Sometimes it can be difficult to know whether the itchy, raised welts on your skin are hives or just insect bites. If the bumps appear all over your body, they are probably hives. Insect bites, on the other hand, appear in clusters and on the arms on legs. Topical products are ideal for either ailment; oral anti-histamine is recommended to treat allergies, but is not necessary for insect bites.
Many people experience dull, throbbing headaches as a symptom of their allergies but overlook the actual cause. Painkillers may offer some relief from the pain but do not address the underlying problem. Even though antihistamines are not considered pain relievers, taking one can treat the allergic reaction itself and therefore, eliminates the headache.
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.
Too many people let their allergies limit what they can do. This doesn’t have to be the case. There is no reason to stop taking those hikes you used to love or stop playing games with your kids out in the yard. Fight those allergies and get a good handle on them. Make an appointment with an allergist and figure out the best treatment that will help you the most.
If you are allergic to pollen, and you need to control how much of it is in your home, you should change your bedding weekly. When you wash it, you should wash it in hot water to help remove the pollen. You should also take a shower before bed so that you can wash away the pollen that accumulates in your hair during the day.
It may be tempting to move elsewhere to try to avoid the allergens that are causing your allergies. When this thought crosses your mind, remember that the most common allergy causing plants (grass and ragweed) are found everywhere. So a move to a different climate may not help your situation.
If you enjoy the outdoors but avoid going out because you suffer from allergies, consider spending time outside after the rain. Rain helps minimize the amount of pollen that is found in the air. So you will find the least amount of pollen after a nice rain storm has passed through.
Find out what is causing your allergy symptoms. Many people focus on the itching and sneezing, but it’s important to get to the root of the problem. Take a look at your environment and discover what is triggering your allergies. You might be allergic to more than one thing, so take care and investigate all possible causes.
Skip intense workouts during allergy season. When you are in an intense workout session, you are likely to breathe more deeply, and more quickly. That means you are probably going to inhale much more pollen than usual. Which means you have a greater chance of experiencing allergy symptoms.
Buy an air purifier for your home. These come equipped with HEPA filters that will remove allergens from the air before they ever reach your nose. They will eliminate pet dander or other irritants from the air. You will need to consider the size of the room before you buy one.
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, be careful about any cut flowers that you bring into your house. Cut flowers release pollen into the air and that pollen can set off your allergies and bring about uncomfortable symptoms. For serious sufferers, stick to artificial flowers in the house or green plants that do not release pollen.
Make wise choices in flooring and decorations for your home if you suffer with allergy symptoms. You can help eliminate pollen and other airborne allergens in your home by choosing hardwood or ceramic tiles floors. You can also help keep the allergens in your home down by eliminate throw pillows and knickknacks that gather dust.
Groom your cat. If you have cat allergies, like millions of people do, but don’t want to part with your furry friend, wash your cat as often as possible. If you can’t get your cat into the bath, wipe him/her down with distilled water. Brush his/her hair as much as possible as real well. You may find your allergies decrease if your cat stays well-groomed.
Nasal irrigation, when done properly, is a great way to relieve allergy symptoms. Studies show that regularly using a nasal irrigation made with a saline solution greatly reduces allergy symptoms. Many stores and pharmacies carry inexpensive neti pots and nasal irrigators.
Avoidance of triggers is one way to deal with allergies, but certainly not the only way. You can effectively manage your allergies and live a full life by using some of the tips featured in this article. Don’t continue suffering. Do something about your symptoms for a happier life!