Allergy Mistakes - You dont want to make

About Allergy Mistakes - You dont want to make Android App

Do your itchy and watery eyes, sinus pain and pressure, and congestion seem to persist year-round? If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you know your symptoms can continue for months at a time no matter what time of year it is. In early spring, you can expect to be hit with tree pollen — especially if you live near oak, cedar, elm, or other trees whose blossoms generate lots of irritating pollen. In mid- to late summer, say hello to grass pollen. By the time fall rolls around, your sniffling and watery eyes can be caused by weed pollen. Anyone who suffers from seasonal allergies knows they can make you downright miserable. If you’re particularly sensitive to seasonal allergies like hay fever, you’re probably taking all the right precautions such as staying indoors during peak pollen times, washing your hands often, removing pollen from your clothes, and using eye drops to keep your eyes clear and moistened. But it can be all too easy to unknowingly make your symptoms worse: Did you know you can make your seasonal allergies worse by taking a dip in the pool, playing with a friend’s pet, or wearing shoes around the house? There are other ways to find allergy relief besides treating symptoms with medication. Take note of what might be escalating your allergies. Some of them may surprise you.

Showering in the Morning
When you spend a lot of time outside, particularly if you’re working out in the yard, pollen can end up on your skin and hair, worsening allergy symptoms. If you’re highly allergic to pollen, it’s a good idea to take a second shower after you come inside, to rinse away the pollen and help avoid allergy symptoms, explains Mark S. Dykewicz, MD, professor of internal medicine and director of allergy and immunology at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Wearing Shoes
You can carry quite a bit of pollen into the house after you’ve been exposed to it by exercising or working outside. If you don’t take off your shoes as soon as you come into the house, you may be tracking pollen into every room. The same goes for your clothes. It’s not necessary for everyone, but if seasonal allergies like hay fever are particularly troublesome for you, change your clothes as soon as you come in and throw them in the wash to keep allergy symptoms from following you home, Dr. Dykewicz advises.

Opening the Windows
It can be hard to resist the allure of a warm spring breeze once the temperature rises, but opening your windows when seasonal allergies are at their peak is like giving pollen an open invitation to invade your living space and cause allergy symptoms. Keeping your windows closed and using an air conditioner with an allergy filter can be an effective way of treating allergies and may help you breathe better.

Having a Drink
Drinking any type of alcohol increases blood flow to the linings of your nose and can make nasal allergy symptoms worse, notes Dykewicz. Also, if you’re someone who has year-round nasal issues, including frequent congestion, this scenario can be complicated by alcohol. When seasonal allergies hit and you’re already feeling congested, skip the beer or wine to avoid worsening allergy symptoms.

Inhaling Chlorine
Odors such as chlorine from a swimming pool and strong perfumes can irritate the nasal airways and lungs and make you cough. Irritants such as perfume and dyes in cosmetics and cleaning products can also cause an allergic skin reaction, known as contact dermatitis. Dermatitis can cause a rash, lead to itching, which will make your other allergy symptoms feel even worse.