Tips To Prevent And Control Your Allergies
POSTED ON August 20, 2016 BY Brandi Monasco


Tips To Prevent And Control Your Allergies
Written by: Brandi Monasco
Allergies can make you feel tired, worn-down and sometimes just downright miserable. You deal with the sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, runny nose and sometimes even rashes and asthma flare ups.
An allergy “is the response of the body’s immune system to normally harmless substances, such as pollens, foods and house dust mite” (Allergy UK). Roughly 50 million Americans suffer from nasal allergies and the numbers are constantly increasing.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for allergies, but there are ways that you can manage, remedy and even prevent having that constant sneezing and itchy throat.
Controlling and preventing your allergies is the first step to management. You might be allergic to dust, animal hair, smoke, or you may even feel the symptoms after mowing the lawn. When you figure out what it is that triggers your allergies, the best thing to do is to avoid the allergen.
- If you are allergic to dust, make sure that your house is dust free. Make sure that you keep your closets, shelves, drapes and carpet as dust free as possible. You can also opt to wear a dust mask while you do housework. Another thing to consider is to buy dust mite-proof covers for your mattress and pillows. It is also best to wash your bedding in hot water at least once a week.
- If you are allergic to pollen, learn what times of the day when the pollen is the highest and aim to stay indoors when the count is high.
- If your allergy symptoms become worse around perfumes, choose to buy a laundry detergent that is unscented, because scented versions are loaded down with synthetic fragrances that can only cause you to become more sick. Also, do not use air fresheners and avoid buying cheap perfume, because those are the most allergenic kind.
Another thing to take note of is to check the ventilation system in your home. Sometimes your allergies can become worse during the summer because you are running your air conditioner, which can cause allergens to come into your home from the outside.
There is one main reason why your air conditioner and ventilation system could be causing your allergies to become worse. One is your air filter. A dirty air filter does not work as well as a clean one. This could even mean that you are just putting dirty air back into your home. The best way to fix this issue is to simply pull out the filter. If it looks dirty, vacuum it, wash it off, or simply change it out.
While it sometimes seems impossible to make it through the day with allergies, there are ways to prevent having symptoms and the first step in management of your allergy symptoms is to control and prevent them.
What are your experiences with combating allergies? Share your thoughts and tips with us in the comments below!
Source
Source: Mindell, E. L., RPh, PhD, & Hopkins, V., MA. (2003). Bottom Line’s Prescription Alternatives. The McGraw-Hill Companies.

Brandi Monasco is a freelance writer, graphic designer and social media manager from Texas. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts and has recently found a new love for health and nutrition.
Latest posts by Brandi Monasco (see all)
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS