How to Control Your Allergies

An allergy is basically something that causes our bodies to be melodramatic about something that might not affect the next person. In order to determine if you have allergies, you can have your regular physician perform a skin and radioallergosorbent test. This is basically a blood test that helps them determine what you're allergic to so that you can obtain the proper treatment for it. People who have allergies normally have symptoms that interfere with their everyday activities, so keeping a record of them can also assist your doctor in finding the right treatment for you.

Allergens that cause your body to act in such a way can be seasonal allergens such as pollen, grass, air, trees and weeds, which are very common. These Allergens are normally the most troublesome in late May. On top of seasonal allergens, there are other allergens that cause our bodies to have allergic reactions such as mold, dust, animal dander and a host of other irritants. It's especially burdensome in rainy and humid weather.

If you're having an allergic reaction to any of these allergens or something else, you may experience pressure around the nose area, and it may feel a little stuffy. You may also experience a runny nose, hives, sneezing, itching in the nose, eyes, and mouth, discolored circles around the eyes and it may feel like your ear is plugged or popping. However, there are some things that can temporarily protect you against these allergens and the symptoms that they encourage.

One of the most important things that you can do is to keep yourself clean. By showering or taking a bath before you go to bed at night, you can wash off any allergens that may have gotten in the skin or hair. Next, keep your home free of them. Do this by making sure your windows and doors are sealed and tightly closed. Because mold can grow in many places that aren't visible to us, it's best to set up a regular cleaning schedule for your shower curtains, walls, windows and any indoor trash cans. Do this with diluted bleach.

Consider investing in a dehumidifier to keep the air circulating and decrease the chances of mold growing in your home. The bottom line is that you should keep your home clean, and if your allergies are often severe, invest in allergen-resistant bedspreads and use air filters. Doing all of these things is not a guarantee that you won't come in to contact with allergens and have your allergies flare up again; however, it can control the number of times you have to deal with them. To avoid having a severe reaction to pet allergens such as dander, it's best to bathe your pet regularly, vacuum often, and if possible avoid having to much contact with the pet. Also, to keep these allergens from spreading all over the house keep your pet out of certain areas of the home such as the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. You may even want to consider keeping your pet outside.