Sneezing, coughing, itching. These are just a few words that can describe your life with allergies. The good news is that you don't have to fall prey to this misery. There are steps you can take to minimize your discomfort and maximize your quality of life.
How to Live with Allergies
In order to manage your allergies successfully, you need to know what sparks your symptoms. Do you experience most of your problems during warmer weather, or indoors all year long? The answer to this question is essential to your allergy-control efforts. Just remember that it's possible to experience both indoor and outdoor allergies so you need to protect yourself in both settings.
Minimize Your Triggers
Once you know what prompts your allergies, take steps to avoid these triggers. For instance, if your allergies are seasonal during warm weather, check the pollen count and plan indoor activities when the levels are high. When you spend time outside, always wash your hair and clothes in hot water afterward to get rid of any allergens that might be lingering there.
For indoor allergies, make an effort to banish your triggers particularly in the bedroom since this is where you spend the most time. Remove carpeting, curtains, stuffed animals, books, and other accessories that can collect dust and mold spores. And allergy-proof your bed by using a hypoallergenic mattress and pillow covers. If you have pets, keep them out of the bedroom, and brush and bathe them often to remove any allergens that may be trapped in their hair. Also, avoid scented cleaning and bath products in your home, and select hypoallergenic options.
Take Medication to Control Symptoms
While taking control of your indoor and outdoor environment is important to help you live with allergies, chances are this alone won't be enough. You may also need to take allergy medications. A variety of effective options exist today including antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers, leukotriene modifiers, and corticosteroids. These block the release of chemicals in the body that occur with allergies. Many of them also reduce associated swelling and inflammation.
When your allergy control and efforts and medication aren't enough to help you live comfortably with allergies, you'll also want to talk to your doctor about starting immunotherapy. Over time, this can help you build up tolerance to your biggest triggers and reduce or prevent allergic reactions so you can live well with allergies.
Sources:
"Allergy Lifestyle Management." National Jewish Health. National Jewish Health, March 2009. Web. 5 Dec. 2010.
"Living with Allergies." Georgetown University, Office of Faculty and Staff Benefits. Georgetown University, n.d. Web. 5 Dec. 2010.
"Living with Food Allergies." Food Allergy Initiative. Food Allergy Initiative. n.d. Web. 5 Dec. 2010.
"Sense and Sensitivity: Living Well with Asthma and Allergies." Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Texas Chapter. AAAF-TX, May 2007. Web. 5 Dec. 2010.
