You could have allergies if you have itchy eyes, sneezing or coughing constantly. You can confuse allergies for colds. Keep reading for some effective tips for coping well with your allergy symptoms.
If you own pets, bathe them frequently when allergy season arrives. This is especially true for dog owners. Not only, are pets’ hair and dander irritants on their own, animal fur is a magnet for pollen floating in the air, allowing these particles to hitch a ride on your pet and invade your home.
Know the outdoor plants you are allergic to and check the calendar! You should know this information, if you can plan outdoor activities. This way, you can plan them on what days you should be taking your allergy medicine or packing some with you for the day.
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.
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.
When you know allergy season is going to begin, use this time to take a vacation. Obviously, spending time outside is going to make your allergies act up, and you do not want to have to sit inside all of the time. Go to a beach location, where you can be allergy-free.
To minimize dust in your environment, clean with microfiber cloths, mop heads, and other tools. Unlike cotton cloths, microfiber cleaning cloths have a slight electrostatic charge, that enables them to grab onto dust particles. Rather than being spread around the room, dust particles stick tight, maximizing your cleaning power.
Use your allergy medication properly. Most medications require days of constant use for them to work. Most allergy medications don’t work instantly, so taking them only when you experience symptoms often won’t do any good. Consult with a doctor to see what you should be doing to find relief and help your body.
Set a limit on how many carpets and rugs are allowed in your home. Rugs and carpeting are known hiding grounds for dust, pollen and other particulates. If you enjoy having rugs in your home to add color and softness, be sure that they are washable so you can keep allergens at bay.
To reduce the volume allergens in your home, consider changing up your current window coverings. Horizontal blinds are major allergen offenders and are known to collect allergens on the surface of the blinds. Instead, opt for window dressings made from synthetic materials like acrylic or nylon. Washable roller shades are another good option.
People who suffer from allergies need to think about hiring someone to mow their lawn and do other gardening activities around their home. Both of these activities will expose people to pollen and dust. If you can afford to hire someone to do this for you, then this is a great solution. If you cannot afford to hire someone, then wear a mask while doing these activities.
If your child is allergic to peanuts, it is vital to keep his or her school informed of this. Talk to the principal and all teachers to make sure they are aware of the allergy. Also, have them keep a note on file to cover all the bases. Many foods contain “hidden” peanut oils or peanut products. Even some cookies and crackers contain peanut product, so be diligent, for your child’s sake.
If you love smelling laundry that has dried in the sun, try using laundry detergent with a light fragrance or some fabric softener. It is not uncommon to love the scent the air and sun leave on air dried clothes. However, clothes that dry outside collect pollen and dust particles. Unfortunately, scented laundry detergents or fabric softeners should only be used by people that do not have sensitive skin.
Sometimes, new clothing can contain chemicals or other allergy-causing substances that can cause a rash or hives upon contact with your skin. When you buy new clothing, be sure to wash each item before you wear it. This is particularly true of man-made materials such as nylon and rayon.
Rather than eschewing outings and fun pastimes due to your symptoms, get a handle on allergies once and for all. Educating yourself about treatments is the initial step, putting them into action is next. Use all of the tips you learned today so that you can live your life again.
