Now that Spring is here, you must be Guarded against Allergies

Now that winter is bidding a sweet goodbye, here comes the allergy season. Spring may make the world look a tad more beautiful but for the allergy sufferers, the beauty is a curse in disguise. Pollen and dust are at peak during this season and it is time for you, if you have an allergy, to buckle up and stay guarded. To cope with seasonal or common allergies during this allergy season, follow these tips wisely:

Create an Allergy-free Environment

Clutter gathers dust and dust causes allergies; by clearing out unnecessary stuff from your home, you can minimise your chances of developing an allergy to dust.

Get Rid of Dust Havens in your House

Habits such as leaving clothes on the floor and books on tables is a sure-fire way to build dust levels up in your home.

• Ideally your clothes should go inside your closet or in the laundry basket, and your books, except may be the one you are currently reading, inside a covered bookshelf or cabinet. Another likely place for trapped allergens is upholstered furniture.
• Either vacuum regularly or consider getting washable slip covers.
• Your mattress should also be covered with cotton zippered covers to prevent dust mites from thriving in your bedding.
• The space under your bed should be kept free of junk, hard though it may seem.
• If you have no choice because storage space is a problem, use zippered bags or closed boxes for storing things under the bed.

Temperature and Humidity Control

• As much as possible, let fresh air flow around your house. Keep windows open and doors closed.
• If you use an air conditioner, make sure that it is set to keep the humidity inside at a low level, and change the filters often.
• While travelling in a car, it may feel good to catch a breeze from outside, but it is always safer for allergy patients to keep windows closed, and use the air conditioner instead. It will filter, cool and dry the air.

Prepare Ahead

• Stock up on antihistamines and nasal sprays.
• Consult a doctor for correct dosage and how long you should be using them. A neti pot (a device used for irrigating the nasal passages) is very helpful.

Take Regular Baths

Regular baths are a must, preferably in warm water, especially at the end of the day. Preferably twice a day because it will help remove any pollen that might have sedimented on your body during the day.

Spring and the beginning of summer are generally the seasons when allergies to dust and pollen are on rise. The symptoms of these allergies are most often sniffling, sneezing and itchy eyes. Before you start taking medication, however, you should try and find out what you are allergic to, because there is a world of spring /summer allergens out there. The allergy skin test is the most accurate, quickest and cheapest way to find out what you are allergic to, according to Neil Kao, MD, an internal medicine physician specializing in allergy and immunology at the Allergic Disease and Asthma Centre Greenville, S.C.

You may have to live with your allergy, but taking these steps will minimise your discomfort while helping you in the treatment of your allergy symptoms. Good luck!

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