Airborne allergies can range from annoying to disabling. But if you put a comprehensive plan of action in place, they can remain under control allowing you to enjoy life uninterrupted by seasonal flare ups. The best plan is one that uses various preventative measures because most people's allergies stem from a variety of allergens. Taking the following 3 steps will help you keep your allergy disruptions to a minimum.
1. Identify The Triggers---Symptoms of allergies include sneezing, watery eyes, nasal congestion and stuffiness, coughing, and post nasal drip. Keeping track of when and where these symptoms occur can help you pinpoint the allergens that cause you problems.
For instance, if your symptoms only occur during a specific season of the year it is likely that you are allergic to some type of pollen or outdoor seasonal trigger. If your problems persist throughout the year then it is likely that you are allergic to indoor allergens such as dust, dust mites, mold and mildew spores, pet dander or some combination of the above.
If you are still unable to pinpoint the cause of your symptoms an allergist can give you tests that will tell you which triggers are the biggest problem for you.
2. Avoid the Cause---Regardless of what the triggers are, the best way to minimize the symptoms is to avoid the triggers. This is easier said than done. But if your allergies are seasonal, planning indoor activities when the pollen count is high will help. You can stay informed about the daily count in your area through local papers, news, and on the internet.
If your allergies stem from more chronic indoor allergens that are always present, there are effective ways to manage these as well. Furnishing your home with easy to clean surfaces that allow allergens to fall to the floor rather trap them is a great first step.
Do choose wood, tile, and area rugs rather than carpet for flooring. Opt for blinds, shades, and shutters rather than draperies. Use furniture fabrics that can be wiped down or washed. Encase all mattresses and pillows in covers that are specifically designed to keep dust mite population to a minimum. These are allergy friendly options than can make a huge difference.
3. Create a Clean Space---Having a clean house can certainly help reduce symptoms. But the most systematic cleaning for anyone with airborne allergies should come with continuous HEPA (or high efficiency particle arresting) filtration.
By definition, this type of air filtration is designed to remove 99,997 out of every 10,000 particles from the air. This includes the chronic pollutants that are present in virtually every home. Reducing the triggers in the air makes your home a safe and restful place to be giving your immune system a chance to rest and rejuvenate.
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