Allergies – they are a common problem and a troublesome one too. Allergy sufferers often feel stuffed up, are constantly sneezing and deal with watery eyes and uncomfortable itching. These symptoms are not pleasant; however, there are some great remedies available that can help anyone to combat their allergy symptoms.
If you have a child with allergies, look around his or her room. Are there an abundance of stuffed animals? These seemingly harmless snuggle toys are a safe harbor for dust mites and other allergens. If your child must sleep with one, try taking it away after he or she falls asleep.
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.
Hire someone to mow your lawn for you if you have allergies. Mowing sends pollen and other allergens flying as it plows through your yard, and as you move forward, you walk directly into these irritants. If cost is a concern, a professional Lawn Company is not always necessary. Simply asking around will usually yield a willing local teenager that will appreciate the chance to earn some spending money. If you must mow your lawn, yourself, wear a filtering face mask.
Avoid line-drying your clothing, or linens if you suffer from allergies, especially during the spring. While the smell and feel of fresh, line-dried laundry can be a treat. It can also make you miserable when you bring in pollen from outdoors. Use the clothes dryer when pollen levels are at their peak.
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.
Get an allergy test. Knowing exactly what you are allergic to, can be the single greatest advantage you can have in dealing with allergies. Not all pollen is the same. Some people are triggered by tree pollen, others by grass or weeds. What you thought was an allergy to pet dander, may actually be an allergy caused by undiagnosed dust mite or mold problems in your home. Only an allergy test can provide you with definitive evidence of your triggers so you can create an appropriate plan to deal with them.
If you are dealing with troublesome allergies, then pay attention to the time of day! Pollen navigates the air in abundance between five and ten o’clock in the morning, so don’t go out then if you don’t have to. If you have to leave your home, don’t do any vigorous activity.
Wash your pillowcases on a regular basis, if you suffer from allergies. Pillowcases tend to collect dust, pollen, and other allergens that could really affect you. Washing them and your other linens can prevent this from happening. If you can, try to purchase non-allergenic pillows cases, sheets and other bedding.
Allergy symptoms may be making your little one miserable and irritable, but that doesn’t mean he’s necessarily ready to take liquid medications without a fight. If your child complains about the taste, ask a pediatrician or pharmacist if you can mix the medication with fruit juice to mask the taste.
If you like to go running, but you suffer from allergies, avoid windy days and go for your run later in the day. Wind tends to cause pollen to fly around. Also, the later hours of the day are when pollen is not as high, as other times of the day.
If you or someone in your family suffers from allergies, prohibit smoking in your car and your home. Smoke is a major allergy trigger for many, and permeates porous surfaces, making it difficult to entirely remove. Ask smokers to step outside before lighting up, and never allow them to smoke inside your vehicle.
Clean your home from top to bottom at least once per year, preferably in the spring. A deep cleaning can eliminate dust, dander, mold and other allergens. If this type of cleaning is too daunting, hire a service to complete the job for you. You can maintain the results yourself or schedule regular visits from the cleaning service, after the initial deep-clean.
If you enjoy smelling clean laundry, use fabric softener or detergent with a light fragrance. Although hanging you clothes outdoors may sound wonderful, it is a bad idea. However, the clothes are likely to attract pollen and other spores. This method should only be used if you aren’t sensitive to fragrances and/or dyes.
When ever you are cleaning your house, use a dust mask. This will help keep away the dust, pollen, and dust mites that are scattered in the air, as you clean out of your system. Most supermarkets have these in the cleaning supplies aisle. If they don’t, home improvement stores sell them in bulk.
Shower and change your clothes before going to bed every night. Be sure to thoroughly shampoo your hair. This will eliminate the buildup of allergens you acquire through the day. This also helps from spreading allergens, like dust and pollen, to your bed and making allergy symptoms worse overnight.
Try a neti pot. A neti pot allows you to bathe your sinuses, so that your nasal passages stay clear of allergens. A neti pot is a special little pot that resembles a small teapot; pour some water and a tiny bit of non-iodized salt into it, and gently pour into one of your nostrils. After a while, it flows out the other one. You will find you breathe much more easily using this method. Don’t use iodized table salt; it will burn.
Allergies are unpleasant, uncomfortable and troublesome. Fortunately, there are some great tips available that can help sufferers to combat their troublesome symptoms. This article has introduced several effective measures that can help with the sniffles, sneezes and itchy eyes that often accompany allergies. Using a few of these measures might just help allergy sufferers to find some relief.
