Allergies can come in all types of forms. Some allergies can be dangerous and deadly, while other allergies are as trivial as a runny nose. Some people find themselves allergic to certain foods, while others are allergic to medications, animals or airborne particles. Understanding allergies is the key to overcoming or living with them.
When it’s nice outside, you might want to open your windows so you don’t have to spend a lot of money cooling the air. This process does carry the risk of increased allergy attacks, though. For best results, outfit your air conditioner with a HEPA filter, which will reduce the amount of allergens indoors. Although it may not seem quite as fresh, you will benefit from easier breathing.
If there is a choice in the matter, avoid having carpeting or large area rugs in your home. It is hard to clean a carpet properly and the particles they hold, such as dust, pollen and dander, could trigger your allergy symptoms. Flooring that can be swept and easily mopped is best for allergy sufferers.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are an unavoidable allergen. As you can probably guess, these little guys are living throughout your bedding and pillows, making a meal of your dead skin flakes. Not such a pretty picture! Soon consider investing into a zippered covering to keep your pillow fresh and clean. Wash your bedding in piping hot water every week; it will kill dust mites.
You should get a pet with very little fur if you are an allergy sufferer. The majority of animals can trigger allergic reactions, but longer-haired animals can make the condition even worse. Also, to lessen the amount of pet allergies, never let them cuddle up in your bed.
Be sure that you keep your bathroom well ventilated so that mold doesn’t grow there. Mold and mildew thrive in damp environments. After your bath or shower, use an overhead exhaust fan to remove moisture from the air. Hang damp bath towels and cloths on a rack or bar. If your house is not equipped with a fan, open a window to get some air moving.
Skin tests can detect the presence of an allergy, but they are far less useful for predicting how severe the reaction will be when you encounter the allergen in the real world. For instance, tests may show that you have sensitivity with a specific variety of spore. Sometimes allergy symptoms are so mild that they are unnoticeable and cause no discomfort.
Have you heard that your allergies can actually be caused by your own body? It’s really true. As your go through your day, your clothing, hair and body might pick up outdoor dust and pollen. You bring this stuff back into the home. You breathe it in. You transfer it to your bedding. To avoid this, make sure that you shower and clean constantly. If you don’t, you’ll suffer from more reactions.
A common recommendation for those with allergies is to buy a humidifier so that the sufferer’s airways are hydrated. This may not be a good idea, as the mist from the humidifier settles on carpet, encouraging the growth of mold and will become musty. Sporadic use of a saline spray is a better way to keep your nasal passages moist during the night.
If you learn as much as possible about allergies and their symptoms, you can regain a better quality of life. Allergy sufferers have a world of medications and treatment options at their disposal. Read through this article carefully, and start practicing what you’ve learned here.