Allergy Reducing Tips

Disclaimer: I'm not held liable for any suggestions I make that may have adverse effects on some individuals. Please check with your physician before trying anything.

While these suggestions may be successful for people with various levels of allergies such as a dust free home, realistically speaking, mild or easily controlled allergies will probably find the most relief. They may not be successful for severe allergies, but I also believe that they shouldn't exacerbate any symptoms.

1. If you're in the process of moving out and/or have an opportunity to choose between hardwood or carpeted floor, select hardwood! I'm astounded by how many people consider carpet the preferred choice. The softness can easily be achieved with a plush rug, which can be washed regularly. Carpet collects and traps a lot of dirt, bacterias, viruses, other pollutants such as allergens, and is much more susceptible to mold. Even with regular vacuuming, a rare practice, pollutants become so deeply lodged in that no amount of vacuuming can suction everything out. Additionally, a perpetual cycle will always exist with carpets. Neglecting to vacuum with amplify symptoms, but allergy victims exposed to vacuuming also exacerbates the symptoms they're trying to relieve with removal of all the pollutants. For more suggestions on carpeted floor, look under number 3.

2. If you have hardwood floor, count your blessings. While you should always clean diligently, take special care during the allergy season. Wash any rugs that you may have regularly in hot water to kill off any contaminants. Rather than sweeping with a broom, consider using a cloth mop. When you use a wet mop, make sure that you offer sufficient time to let it dry. Try mopping at night, so allergy pollutants don't cling onto the ground as much and resurface.

3. If you have carpeted floor, try to find someone else to vacuum regularly for you during allergy season. I like to arrange an exchange of services with my friend. She vacuums. I cook. Everyone wins. If you aren't that fortunate, consider investing in a robotic vacuum cleaner such as a Roomba. It may seem a little unnecessary if you already have a vacuum cleaner, but think about the relief you would be getting. And let's face it. How many of us vacuum regularly by hand anyways? You'd be investing in something productive. Unfortunately, experts agree that exclusive use of the Roomba isn't adequate. But by scheduling the Roomba to vacuum regularly, it's much gentler on your regular vacuum cleaner. I consider it a worthy purchase and can be used throughout the year. You may have difficulty justifying the amount, but a dirty home is bad for your health. Your health is a higher value than money. Unless you're suffering from outdoor allergies (which hopefully subside once you're indoors) open all of the windows when you vacuum so any dust that rises can easily exit your home. You don't want it lingering around until it settles back down. Plus, studies have found that outdoor air is cleaner than indoor air. So, the cleansing effects are beneficial, even without allergy symptoms.

4. Keep furnishings dust-free. It may seem excessive, but I like to dust my furniture with a Swiffer everyday. Rather than waiting around until the dust collects, I like to take preventive measures. If you find that the dust has accumulated to an intolerable amount, dampen it first with a wet cloth or furniture polish before running something over it. I don't recommend using lambswool or an ostrich feather. You'd simply be moving the dust around. But a Swiffer duster or microfiber cloth works beautifully.

5. Rearrange for success. Some people don't have the time to move things around, so they can safely and properly remove dust from their furnishings. If that discourages you or prevents you from doing a satisfactory job, consider rearranging things so removal of necessary items become easier. You can store certain things away during the allergy season. I have a collection of vintage perfume bottles and vases in purple that I carefully store away once my allergies become severe. I know it's difficult to part with them, but it's only temporary, and our health is top priority, not material objects. Plus if you're like me, you'll run the risk of damaging them while cleaning when you feel a sneeze coming on.

6. Buy an air purifier. The air quality has declined significantly over time that I think purchasing an air purifier is an excellent idea if you live in a poor air quality area. During allergy season, I find the most relief closest to my air purifier. If purchasing an air purifier is out of your financial capabilities, consider buying air-purifying houseplants such as peace lilies, Chinese evergreen, or Dieffenbachia. **

7. For allergy prone individuals, leather furnishings is favorable. Upholstery retains allergens. I found that out the hard way. I didn't have allergies most of my life. But when I moved to an area with a higher pollen count, I started developing symptoms. My first year, I lived in an apartment with absolutely no furniture. So I had no idea how severe my allergies can get. If you have upholstery, vacuum it regularly. I suggest purchasing a handheld vacuum cleaner. Some people think it's a waste of money because of the attachments available with their primary vacuum cleaner. But what happens if that vacuum cleaner is experiencing difficulty? That is common. Plus I find a handheld vacuum cleaner to be much easier to use. And when something is easier to use, people are more likely to take use it. Besides, how many people actually use their attachments? For really severe, life-threatening allergies, I highly recommend replacing your sofa with leather. That's a costly replacement. But isn't a healthy transition worth it? (The answer is YES!)

8. Determine if you're experiencing indoor or outdoor allergies. Hopefully, it's just one or the other. If so, try to reduce or avoid that exposure. If it's the pollen, consider staying indoors. Maybe leisure a coffee shop with a good book, enjoy a movie marathon at home, make an elaborate menu, engage in an indoor hobby you've always wanted to do but never found the time for (sewing, knitting, writing, scrapbooking, crafting, cooking, etc.) If it's an indoor allergy, open all of your windows to invite fresh air. If you're fortunate enough to live nearby a beautiful picnic, maybe you can make a practice out of visiting daily. Bring a blanket, stock up on prepackaged meals, and a good book. Invite some friends and make an entire day out of it. I like trying to do that once a week. It sure beats surfing the net. Bring a flask. Have some laughs.

9. If you need corrected vision, switch to eyeglasses. They're not as attractive as contacts, but they're also less problematic. Besides, how attractive do you think you are really if you're rubbing the hell out of your eyes because of contacts? More importantly, aside from vanity, vision is one of our senses and generally our primary ones. We only have one set of eyes. It's important to take care of them.

10. Easier said than done but resist scratching your eyes! If you're at home or nearby a sink, rinse your eyes out in lukewarm water every time you feel the urge coming on. It may seem like you'll never leave the bathroom. Sometimes, I spend most of my day in there, but it sure beats raw red skin. Applying a warm or cold compress, according to your preference, can also have soothing effects. Don't reuse the same towel! If you don't want to wash all those towels, use paper towels and dispose them after each use. Some people have find relief by applying tea bags such as chamomile over their eyes.

11. Get adequate sleep. When you're suffering from allergies, it's because your immune system is under attack. It's unable to ward off allergens. One of the worst things you can do is to stay up all night, further weakening your immune system.

12. Wash your sheets ESPECIALLY your pillow cases regularly. I wash my pillow cases every week when I do the laundry. (I wish I can say that I'm equally diligent with my fitted sheets. But who really has the time to wash them every week?) During allergy season, though, sometimes I like changing my pillow cases daily. I recommend getting a week's worth of white pillow cases so that you can wash them in the hot cycle. They're inexpensive, durable, and can be used yearly if you're prone to allergies.

13. Keep your hands clean. After you sneeze, rub your eyes, or blow your nose, your hands get dirty. It's unrealistic to clean your hands after each allergic attack, but try to develop good hygienic habits. (You really should already have them, though).

14. Disinfect surfaces. I use my cell phone, laptop, door handles, etc. Clean those contaminant areas.

15. Beware of over-the-counter allergy eye drops. It's so malicious and self-defeating. When we get itchy eyes, many of us reach for an over-the-counter remedy. The instructions usually state put one drop into each eye daily. But there is something called a rebound effect. When you use it everyday, which the warning doesn't clearly indicate, the symptoms you're trying to eliminate doesn't just return but can have return even more severe. The warning disclaimer vaguely suggests that sometimes redness may occur. It doesn't say that it's a result of the rebound effect. In fact, I've met many physicians who didn't know what a rebound effect was. When I asked a bunch of my friends little brothers and sisters what they think it might be, giving them the same context and background I provided physicians (I have severe eye allergies. I tried over the counter allergy eye drops without success. I kept getting rebound effects), many of them accurately guessed what it was, while physicians were completely baffled. Rebound effect is when you use a product to treat something by using it regularly and temporarily it may relieve your symptoms until the problem you're trying to treat returns with amplified results. I actually ended up getting conjunctivitis from my rebound effect! And no I wasn't scratching my eyes. Three consecutive days of following the instructions and boom, eye infection. But most people experience eye allergies daily so would use the medication daily. How twisted is it that their treatment can actually exacerbate the problem? If your allergies are severe, I suggest seeing a physician. and getting a prescription instead.

16. Pull your hair back. It's been years since I've needed hair gel because I live in a warm environment, but every year when I get the allergies, I have to buy some. Pollen can get trapped on our hair but also stray hair near our eyes can trigger allergic reactions. If you don't have much baby hair, using a headband might do the trick, as well. If you aren't familiar with a good brand, ask around. Do a google search and read the reviews. Ask your friends if you can test their product out. If all else fails, try using an inexpensive brand and hope for the best. Make sure that it doesn't flake because that would be self-defeating. You may have to experiment more than once. If a cheap version doesn't work well, consider upgrading. I just don't like to resort to it if a more affordable choice is available. Don't buy gel based on the packaging, design, cover, or color. Examine the ingredient list. If your first purchase didn't work out, stay away from other brands that carry the same ingredients. (Concentration of the ingredients are in order. So the first ingredient is most concentrated than the last).

17. Shower at night. Pollen clings to wet hair. By showering at night, you reduce allergic symptoms and can wash away any hair products you used earlier in the day. I also find the warm water calming and soothing, which makes me receptive to a good night's sleep. I usually like to let my hair air dry. That's why my hair is so shiny! But during allergy season, I pull out my hair dryer. If you don't own a hair dryer and have no plans purchasing one, I highly recommend getting the Turbie twist. Anyone can wrap it around their head, and it dries your hair beautifully. My hair is so thick that I actually go through two towels in a day, but they last so long that the multiple purchases are worth it.

18. Buy Puffs tissue paper. Not everyone likes how lotiony the texture is, but if you have severe allergies, the softness is much gentler for your skin. While you're at it, buy Kleenex to go packs and carry them with you. A lingering runny nose is a lot more bothersome than if you just cleared your nasal passages. Your body is trying to eliminate toxins from your body. Don't contain it.

19. Don't air dry your clothes during the springtime. Allergens cling to wet surfaces. I know it saves more money and it's the environmentally-conscious alternative, but spring is when you make the exception. How healthy of a choice is it for you if it's contributing to your allergies?

20. Replenish yourself. It's always important to hydrate yourself properly, and allergy season is no exception. If you keep losing fluids from your body, you have to replace them. You lose quite a bit of fluids with runny noses.