Anyone who is dealing with allergies knows that it is hard to enjoy the warm weather months, especially when the pollen counts are very high. Don’t stay inside while your friends and family are enjoying the sunshine! Keep reading to find out how to control your allergies and make breathing easier.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are an unavoidable allergen. As you might have expected from the name, these critters are a fixture on mattresses and pillows. They eat the flakes that you shed from your skin. Gross! There are special “dust mite resistant” casings that you can purchase to cover pillows and mattresses to keep them out. Be sure to wash your bedding weekly in hot water to kill off dust mites.
Whenever you use a new OTC antihistamine, test it out at home first. Many antihistamines have ingredients that cause drowsiness or slowed reflexes. It’s always a good idea to try the medication out in a safe environment once or twice. Although the label may not include any dramatic warnings, you don’t want to find out that you react poorly to the medicine while you’re driving.
People are more likely to develop certain allergies at a specific age. One example is babies, they get exposed to things like certain proteins and that causes allergies. As infants grow into children, their exposure to protein allergens increases and they might develop an allergy to pollen. After years of encountering no reactions to pollen or other allergens, your child may suddenly display allergy symptoms at some point. Do not immediately eliminate the possibility that he or she is truly allergic.
It may seem bizarre, but you can actually be allergic to your own body! Depending on how you live, you could be causing your reactions. No matter where you go, you are constantly bombarded with pollen, dust, dander, etc. If you don’t wash up, you can be attacked by all of these substances when you sleep. Try showering, and putting on fresh night-clothes before you hit the sack for a good night’s sleep!
You should consider replacing your carpeting if you have allergies. Carpet is known to collect dust mites, pollen and pet dander. If you are one of those people have carpet from wall-to-wall, think about switching to laminate, wood or tile, if you can afford it. This will greatly reduce the amount of ambient particulates (many of which are allergens) in your home. If you must live with wall-to-wall carpeting, run the vacuum cleaner every day.
If you can choose, do not put any carpeting or big rugs in your home. It is virtually impossible to get carpet entirely clean, and its fibers grab hold of dander, pollen, dust and mites which can be extremely problematic for those with allergies. Make use of flooring that can be mopped or swept clean instead.
Avoid buying products that contain artificial dyes, as many people are allergic to them. Even your toilet tissue could have dye in it. Try using products that are plain white paper in your house and it might aid in reducing your allergy symptoms.
It is possible to try to avoid allergy triggers, but there are steps that can be taken other than staying away from parks and pets. Use the tips in this article to help you gain the knowledge you need to live a more enjoyable life. You don’t have to suffer forever; you can be in control of your allergies.