Although allergies are a fairly common and well-known condition, people who don’t have allergies don’t realize how much of an impact that these triggers can have on someone’s life. Pet dander and pollen are two common allergic triggers, which can be difficult to escape. Read this article for tips on dealing with your allergies.

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.

Change your bedding frequently, and wash using hot water. Pollen, dust, and other allergens can stick to your clothing and hair and can get deposited on your bedding. Sheets and pillowcases may appear clean, but can harbor irritants that will affect you while you sleep. These allergens easily wash away when the items are cleaned in hot water.

If you have allergies, it is important that you keep the humidity in your home to a minimum. You can do this by setting up a dehumidifier in whichever rooms you are frequently in. One of the worse things for an allergy sufferer is humidity, so stay away from it as much as you can.

If you are prescribed allergy medication, take it regularly. Prescription allergy medication often works differently than the standard over-the-counter remedy. While OTC allergy medications are taken as needed, many prescription allergy drugs work by maintaining a constant level of the medication in your system. This means that you need to take your pill every day, preferably at the same time of day.

People who suffer from allergies often have dry, irritated nasal passages that are prone to redness, itchiness and bloody noses. To keep these airway’s moist, use a spray of saline solution in each nostril several times per day, then apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly inside the nostrils to keep moisture in.

Grab a shower before going to bed; make sure you also wash your hair. Pollen can gather in your hair and on your skin and cause you to have an allergic reaction when you are sleeping at night. A quick rinse before bed can make a big difference in your life.

You may have installed wood, laminate or tile flooring to reduce allergens in your home, but if you use throw rugs, they need to be laundered weekly in warm, soapy water to keep them free from dust, pollen and other allergy culprits. If they aren’t machine washable, have them dry-cleaned frequently. It will be worth the cost!

Do not use wet methods of cleaning your carpeting or rugs. This can actually increase the number of dust mites it harbors, and it increases the likelihood of mildew growth. Stick to dry cleaning methods, instead, if at all possible. The best way to reduce allergens is to ditch the carpeting altogether.

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.

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.

Avoid clutter, especially in the bedroom. If you suffer from allergies, you should strive to keep your bedroom as free from clutter as possible. Since you likely spend anywhere from six to ten hours per day in bed, it is crucial that this area is as allergen-free as possible. The less clutter you have, the fewer places there are for dust, and other irritants to settle.

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.

A good spring cleaning of your vents, basement, and crawl spaces will reduce the amount of allergens in your environment. Over time these areas will accumulate a tremendous amount of allergens, which can be pushed into other areas of your home. With regular cleaning, this will keep the other areas of your home allergen free.

There are many different ways to deal with your allergies, whether it be simply avoiding the triggers (for those who have food allergies) or using over the counter medications like Claritin (for those who find it more difficult to escape triggers). Remember these tips and learn to live comfortably, even with allergies!