There are many forms of allergies. Some reactions can be very severe and potentially fatal, while others are simply watery eyes or a runny nose. Some people have allergic responses to foods, while others develop allergic responses to animals or other things, such as medications. Learning the root cause of your allergy troubles is the best way to learn how to control the symptoms.
If you have never tried a certain over-the-counter antihistamine yet, do so when you are home. Often antihistamines will have ingredients that induce drowsiness. Try your new medication out for the first time when you do not need to work or drive.
Take a shower and wash your hair before you go to bed. Pollen can gather in your hair and on your skin and cause you to have an allergic reaction when you are sleeping at night. Just hop in for a quick wash, then sleep soundly.
Skin tests for allergens are helpful in determining exactly what you are allergic to, but not so good for figuring out how allergic you are to a certain substance. For instance, you a test may reveal that you’re allergic to a specific spore. But judging what type of reaction you would have to this spore is nearly impossible. You may only experience relatively mild symptoms, while you may end up suffering a severe reaction.
Though it may be unpleasant to do, keeping windows closed can prevent many allergens from entering the home. When opening windows, you can let in pollen which makes allergic symptoms worse. If you want to keep allergens out of your home, be sure your air conditioner vents and filters are clean.
It is common for allergy sufferers to hear that they should sleep with a humidifier running in order to keep airways moist. This can actually be harmful, as humidifier mist will settle on carpeting and encourage mold growth. Give a saline spray a try instead. This will moisten the nasal passages during sleep.
If you have tried everything else and are still suffering from allergies, you may want to seek the advice of your doctor. Doctor-recommended medication can be a powerful weapon in the fight against allergies and their symptoms. Other options that are available to you can be discussed as well.
If your allergies constantly give the same symptoms, it is generally better to treat the symptoms themselves instead of trying to avoid an allergic reaction. For example, people prone to dry eyes should always keep eye drops handy. Likewise, folks with scratchy throats should always carry cough drops.
The easiest way to start making headway against allergies is to learn basic information about them. Medical science has advanced quite a bit in the last few decades, and there are medications that can relieve most common allergy symptoms. Learn as much as you can by reading articles like this.