When your body detects an invading substance it doesn’t like, it reacts— usually by sneezing, wheezing, dripping, and itching. The best way to treat an allergy is to avoid whatever you are allergic to. While that is sound advice, it is not always practical or possible. Most allergies fall into three basic categories: food, contact, or inhalation allergies. Four typical causes of inhalation allergies—the most common allergies we experience—are pollen, house dust, pet dander, and mold.
Even though avoidance isn’t always possible, there are several things you can do to relieve the symptoms and ease allergic discomfort. Here are 10 things you can do:
1) Try antihistamines— over-the-counter antihistamines, which are available at your local pharmacy, can be very effective in treating a drippy nose and red, itchy eyes. In order to get the greatest benefit out of antihistamines, you have to take them before you are exposed to allergens. Some allergists say that during your allergy season, you should have antihistamines in your system constantly. They also recommend that, if your allergy persists for more than a week, you should see your doctor. Allergy shots may be the answer.
2) Avoid alcohol and smoking— if you are already a little stopped up, alcohol consumption can cause you to become more congested. You can also create a potentially dangerous sedative effect if you mix antihistamines with alcohol. And according to allergy experts, smoking can promote hay fever.
3) Air-condition your house— this strategy will go a long way in alleviating pollen, and it can also reduce the risk from dust mites and mold. Keep your windows closed, and allow the air-conditioning to seal the house from the outside pollen-laden environment.
4) Air-condition your car— it works on the same principle as having your home air-conditioned. If you don’t have air-conditioning in your car, you’ll have the windows down and the pollen in.
6) Don’t sun-dry your clothes on a line. When you do that, your clothes accumulate pollen.
7) Do something about your pets— of all pets, cat dander is usually the biggest problem. The most obvious solution would be to give your pet away, but most people simply can’t do that. For those people, an alternative would be to isolate your pet from your bedroom, which should be effectively “sealed” off from the rest of the house.
Keep your lawn mowed short— a close-cropped lawn won’t have a chance to pollinate. If you have to mow the lawn yourself, wear a pollen mask or scarf over your nose and mouth.
9) Stay indoors between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.— that 5 hour period is when pollinating plants are their most active.
10) Dust-proof your bedding— you can do this by sealing it in plastic. This will help bring relief from dust mites.
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