Living with allergies is difficult, but you can reduce symptoms and cope with them effectively. Allergies may go away or change in severity over time depending on various factors–some you can control while others you cannot.
First step to managing allergies effectively is understanding their source. Keep a food and symptom diary, noting when symptoms appear and what seems to help manage them.
Avoiding Triggers
Allergies can cause an array of symptoms ranging from nose itchiness and itchy eyes to runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, wheezing and asthma attacks. When confronting allergy triggers it’s essential that you find ways to minimize their impact and live as comfortably as possible.
Allergy testing can help identify what allergens are contributing to your allergies, so that you can work to eliminate or minimize their presence in your environment. Making simple changes such as frequently dusting and vacuuming, using air purifiers, and choosing hypoallergenic bedding are also effective in decreasing allergen concentration in the home environment.
At all times, it’s wise to carry allergy medication such as Benadryl on you in case your allergies develop into anaphylaxis and require immediate medical care. Should any severe allergic reaction occur, call emergency services immediately and seek medical assistance immediately.
If you are having allergy symptoms but can’t pin them down to their source, keeping a diary may help identify which triggers and events seem to exacerbate them. Your allergist will then likely suggest an oral allergy challenge: this involves eating small quantities of foods suspected to trigger reactions and then watching for symptoms to emerge.
Changing Your Clothes
If you suffer from allergies, it’s advisable to change clothes and wash hands upon returning indoors, especially after spending time outdoors. Pollen can stick to clothing, which could then transfer it onto furniture, bedding and other objects within your home.
Removing shoes at the door and changing into new clothing will reduce allergens from entering your home, while taking steps like this one can also stop dust mites or other microscopic creatures that thrive in dirty shoes from tracking in.
Maintaining clean laundry can significantly decrease exposure to allergens. When sorting clothing and linens during washing, make sure you separate those that came in contact with pet hair or other allergens from those that didn’t. Thorough drying of fabrics prevents mold and mildew growth which can trigger allergies in many people.
Staying Hydrated
Hydration is key for everyone, but especially so for those living with allergies. Your body releases more histamines – the neurotransmitters responsible for allergic responses – when dehydrated, leading to more of an attack from allergy symptoms.
Staying hydrated helps your mucous membranes stay moist, which allows them to expel allergens without irritating or increasing risk for infection. In addition, staying hydrated thins out mucus for easier nose blowing and sneezing.
Drink plenty of water and refrain from caffeinated or sugary drinks that could exacerbate symptoms, like caffeinated coffee and soda pop. Hydrate using low-calorie beverages such as herbal teas, fruit juice or soup. Add an electrolyte powder to water for extra hydration benefits.
Apart from making healthy dietary and lifestyle decisions, IV hydration can also play a key role in allergy relief. IV infusion delivers vitamins and minerals directly into your bloodstream such as Vitamin C which has powerful immuno-supportive properties.
Avoiding allergens, washing clothes and floors frequently and using a humidifier in your home are all ways to significantly decrease allergy symptoms. But for longer-term relief, make an appointment with an allergist to learn about treatment options such as immunotherapy; they offer tailored advice tailored towards improving quality of life while decreasing inflammation caused by allergies.
Washing Your Home
Keep your house clean is essential if you suffer from allergies. Allergens such as pet dander, dust mites, mold spores and pollen can trigger reactions in some people; to protect yourself against allergen build-up in your home and reduce symptoms like itchy eyes and sneezing fits, make sure that sheets and pillowcases are washed weekly, dust regularly with vacuuming or duster and remove items like knick-knacks which collect dust – these measures should help.
When cleaning your home, wear a mask and gloves to reduce irritation. Also consider fragrance-free cleaners since scented ones may trigger allergy-like reactions. Finally, ensure you change or wash sponges and rags regularly so as to prevent spreading allergens throughout your space.
If your symptoms continue despite taking precautionary steps, consult an allergist in East Texas or Houston from Allergy ENT & Associates for assistance in identifying the source of your allergic response and providing testing and treatments to ease it! Our friendly staff would love to schedule an appointment for you; contact us now or use the link below for convenient online scheduling – we look forward to meeting you!
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