May 24, 2021
Allergies are brought on by many causes. It could be the changes in the weather or even the elements you’re exposed to at home. Whatever the cause, it’s important to keep your allergies under control so you can continue to function and avoid being uncomfortable. To help you manage your allergies, try out some easy fixes.
Your heating and air conditioning system provides many functions. While it primarily controls the temperature in your home, it is also filtering your air. This includes filtering out allergens. However, if you don’t clean your HVAC system, all of the irritants and allergens can build up in your system and actually get circulated back into the air. When cleaning your HVAC system, there are many areas to address. First of all, you should replace all air filters. Your individual needs may differ, but on average you should be replacing your filters every six months. In addition to the air filters, you also need to clean all the vents in your house. It’s common for dust to accumulate here and they can become clogged. Next, you need to inspect your air ducts. It’s best to have this done by a professional but you can clean them yourself.
Allergies come along with many symptoms including runny nose, sneezing, itching, swelling, trouble breathing, etc. Taking your medication can help to manage these symptoms. If you have been prescribed medication, you should take them as your doctor has directed. If you haven’t been prescribed any medication, there are several over the counter medications you can try. When choosing a medication, make sure you know what type of allergies you are experiencing as this can determine the type of medication you use. Similarly, pay attention to whether or not the medication will make you drowsy. If you’re struggling to pick a medication, just know that off-brand options will provide the same relief as name-brand medications.
Many people love to have pets. However, allergies can often prevent this as a lot of pets will shed or produce other irritants that can exacerbate allergies. Fortunately, there are hypoallergenic pets that will give you the love and affection you want without all the allergy side effects. Hypoallergenic pets are those that don’t produce as many irritants or as much dander as other pets. Among other breeds, goldendoodles don’t shed much, if at all. This makes them more ideal for individuals with allergies. You can also consider getting small rodents because they live in cages and their dander can’t spread throughout the house. If you want a completely hypoallergenic pet, consider getting an amphibian or reptile since they produce no dander.
Every time you leave the house, you are exposed to all sorts of allergens and irritants and then you bring them back to your home. It’s important to wash up when you return home so you can remove any allergens. Keeping your hands clean and changing your clothes when you get home are good ways to do this. You can also take a shower once you get home to thoroughly rid yourself of allergens. You should do your best to stay clean even if you don’t have allergies. Be considerate of others in your home and avoid exposing them to more allergens. It can be helpful to have a designated area, like a mudroom, to remove shoes and coats before entering the house.
Drinking plenty of water is beneficial to you in many ways, but not many people consider how it impacts allergies. The main way water helps with your allergies is that it reduces your histamine reaction. Being dehydrated can make this reaction, and thus your allergies, much worse. It’s important to stay hydrated to avoid this. Drinking plenty of water also helps all of your body’s systems function better. Drinking also helps to thin the mucus in your sinuses and this can help you feel some more relief. In addition to water, you can also drink juice, tea, or even some broth.
In addition to keeping yourself clean, you also need to keep your house clean. A clean house will have fewer allergens and irritants and cleaning regularly can help remove any that are introduced into the house. To start off, you need to get the right tools. Microfiber cloths are a great cleaning product to use because they attract the dust so as you clean it isn’t just blown into the air. Vacuums are also an essential tool for removing allergens since they suck the dust right up. If you want to thoroughly clean your whole house, then consider taking it room by room. In the bedroom, make sure you change the sheets regularly and clean any pillows and blankets often. When cleaning bathrooms and kitchens, make sure you look out for any mold and address it immediately. Throughout the house, clean and sanitize surfaces and make sure you dust the house from top to bottom. You may need to establish a regular cleaning routine to help you manage all the allergens.
As mentioned, allergies can be caused by a variety of factors. They can also be influenced by many factors. Stress is one of these factors that can actually make allergies worse. Your stress hormones can impact your immune system and make it harder for you to respond to your allergy symptoms thus making them worse. It’s important to find ways to reduce your stress. There are lots of stress relief activities you can try such as yoga, meditation, doing artwork, taking a nap, and more. Find ways to help yourself destress so your allergy symptoms don’t get any worse.
Allergies are no fun for anyone. They leave you feeling congested and uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are many ways to relieve your symptoms, manage them, and even remove the cause of your allergies. Make sure you take all the necessary steps to help you keep your allergies under control.
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