How To Get Relief When You Suffer From Seasonal Allergies
While you may be looking forward to spring, you may not be looking forward to the allergies coming back. If you suffer from allergies during spring time, there are some things you can do to get through the season easier. By following the advice below you can get some relief from those allergies.
Reduce your exposure to allergens
If you suffer from allergies in springtime, then you want to make it a point to limit the amount of exposure you get to pollen, one of the major causes of allergies. You can limit your exposure by doing the following:
- Stay inside during the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. when pollen is in the air the most.
- Use a HEPA filter on your AC and furnace.
- Wipe off your pets with a towel before they come in the house after going outside.
- Have visitors leave their jackets by the front door.
- Don't dry your clothes by hanging them on a clothing line outdoors.
- Leave your doors and windows shut.
- If you have to leave, drive your car with the windows all rolled up.
- Use a damp mop or rag to clean your floors.
- Use a dehumidifier in your room.
Get relief from the symptoms
Try taking an over-the-counter antihistamine when you first start to feel the onset of troubles beginning with your allergies.
When you suffer from allergies, you may experience itchy eyes, coughing, sneezing and a dry, scratchy throat. Follow the tips below to get relief from these symptoms.
When your eyes itch, you don't want to rub them; this can make the itching worse. You should also try using over-the-counter eye drops. Rest with your eyes closed and a cool rag on them when they start itching. Putting the eye drops in the refrigerator for a few minutes before using them will also help.
When your throat feels dry and itchy, you want to sip on ice water constantly. You may also want to eat ice cream or other cold foods. Try not to breathe through your mouth; this will make it worse.
If you have a runny nose, you should blow it hard every once in a while, but not constantly. This can cause your nose to bleed. If you are in bed, you may find that lying in a different position will help open your sinuses when your nose is stuffy.
If you can't get a handle on your allergies, the best thing you can do is to pay a visit to an immunology doctor. They will be able to tell you exactly what you are allergic to and find you other forms of treatment that may work better than the steps you've tried on your own.