It seems like we all suffer from allergies during one season or another. Personally, I feel like I have allergies all year long, and I am not the only one. While there is no 100% cure for the allergies you have, or any that you may develop over time, there are ways to slow them down. Here are five ways to help stop your seasonal allergies in their tracks.
- Humidifier
A cool mist humidifiers for bedroom quiet time is a great combatant to allergies. A good cool mist humidifier can reduce allergy symptoms and improve mucous membrane of the airway health.
While a warm mist humidifier will also do this, a lot of people argue the cool mist is more pleasant to breathe. No matter which type you prefer, be especially diligent in cleaning your humidifier out properly. If not maintained well, they can actually make allergy symptoms worse by releasing bacteria which can be breathed into the lungs.
A humidifier doesn’t have to just be used at night either. Some allow you to add essential oils and fragrance to make the experience almost spa-like. Try a humidifier today and see for yourself how it improves your allergies.
- Wear a Mask
The suggestion to wear a mask to help stop seasonal allergies feels a little over-obvious these days. However, it is something to consider. It has been proven without a doubt that wearing a mask will protect you from breathing in most contaminants.
A typical mask will block 95% of small particles (allergens), so it is the most obvious and effective protection we have against seasonal allergies. It will keep us from catching other things too.
- Be Clean
There are a lot of allergens on our clothing and body that we gather throughout the day. The most typical being – pet hair. But even pollen and other allergy triggers can exist on your skin and clothes long after you’ve left the allergen area.
Tying into the same types of procedures we have when wearing a mask lately, take off your shoes when you get in the house. The last thing you want to do is track the allergens and particles further into your home. They can stick to everything!
Since the non-allergy friendly particles stay on your skin too, it’s best to wash up after being out all day. Especially if you were outside for a considerable amount of time.
Change your clothes and immediately put the ones you wore in the wash. Some cycles even have an allergen setting to be sure to remove all the triggers.
It’s equally important to keep your house (and car) clean from allergens as well. The easiest way to do this is to keep windows and doors closed. While you may miss the fresh spring or autumn breeze, you will miss breathing much more. You should also consider adding a HEPA filter to your air conditioning unit or furnace.
You should also dust and vacuum your home regularly, especially if you have pets. Most vacuums have filters as well, and a HEPA filter is recommended for best allergen control. Be sure to regularly change your air filters if you have forced air or heat.
- Take a Pill
While you should always consult with your doctor or pharmacist first, some over-the-counter antihistamines work very well to stop allergy symptoms.
Even pet owners with allergies will tell you that popping a Claritin every morning before petting their animals helps a great deal in preventing a sneezing attack. Nasal sprays are also sometimes effective, but can cause more problems with long-term use.
There are several brands and choices of over-the-counter remedies that may work for you, but be sure to discuss your options with a doctor.
- Rinse
Perhaps the least desirable of treatments to help stop your seasonal allergies – rinsing out your sinus passage. A doctor can do this, but you can also do it yourself.
There are irrigation kits you can purchase from a pharmacy to clean or rinse out your sinuses. You can also make a homemade solution. Mix 1 quart of water with 1.5 teaspoons of canning salt, and 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
You will need to stand over a sink or in the shower and tilt your head. Using a bulb syringe, squeeze the saline solution slowing into the upper nostril and let it pour out of your other nostril. While it is not the most pleasant of solutions, suffering from your allergies is much worse.
Final Thoughts
Living with allergies is not fun, but that doesn’t mean you always have to feel miserable. By keeping yourself and your home clean, using a cool mist humidifier, or trying any of the non-prescription remedies, you can help stop your seasonal allergies in their tracks.
