Spring has arrived and so has its many allergies, which might make you feel pretty miserable. With everything going on right now, you might not want to have anything making you feel sick or worried about your health. Allergies can really sneak up on you though, which might make you worry that you have something else. So, before your body starts to react to the world’s changes, you might want to take a few precautions to cut back on the issue. There are many things you can do to cut back on allergens, which will help your overall health while making you feel better about the season.
1. Dust
Dust is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to allergies. It can really build up during the winter months if you don’t dust frequently. Then, when you open up the home in the spring months, the dust can be blown back into the air, which can really make your allergies kick up. Apart from that, the air itself can cause new dust to build up from things outside which you might be allergic to. You can take care of dust with ease though. Dusters are fairly cheap, and you don’t have to put in a lot of effort to get everything dusted. You can even use a sock to clean up your blinds and other items that are hard to reach. Of course, you should also make sure to clean up your fan blades too, as this can send dust flying around the home. After you dust, you need to make sure to vacuum all of the floors to help clean up the dust that has settled from all of your dusting.
2. Wash Pets’ Items
Even if you don’t have a known allergy to your pet, you might still have allergies associated with their dander that you might not realize until it is in high concentration. Your pets’ most frequented items are going to be covered in their dander especially during warmer months when they are more likely to spread. So, it is important to wash the areas that they sleep and lounge frequently. If you want to do a light cleaning or you have a lot of pet fur the remove straight away, then your best option is to toss the item in the dryer first. This will help remove the fur and will allow you to wash it without getting fur everywhere or having it show back up on the pets’ items. Before you place things back down, make sure to vacuum the area too, as this will definitely help keep dander down. Of course, it is also important to brush your pet frequently during shedding seasons, so they don’t wind up sick from all of the sheddings.
3. Watch Out for Mold
Mold can really wreak havoc on your immune system, which is why you’ll want to get rid of it as soon as you realize its there. Mold is also one of the leading allergens so if you’re suffering and you don’t know why then this might be one of the culprits. Mold tends to pop up in the winter and spring though when there is lots of moisture around. So, if you’re sneezing and coughing, and you have no idea why, then this might be the reason. The first challenge is locating the mold though. In most cases, you can take care of the mold without a problem. Vinegar is actually one of the best ways to do this, so you don’t have to worry about chemicals or even finding cleaning products to get rid of it. However, in some cases, you might have to have a professional come in to do the job. These cases are usually quite dangerous though, so it is important to recognize the problem before it gets too bad. Mold can grow in your appliances too, like your coffee pot. Simply run vinegar through the appliance and you should be good to go.
4. Eat Local Foods
Believe it or not but eating local foods can actually cut back on your allergies. If you can, you might go to your local farmer’s market to pick up goods that are made in your area. Produce is one of the best options to pick up. If you have your own garden, then you’re doing even better though. However, if you really want to maximize the benefits of your food, you should eat local honey each day. This might be a more expensive treat, but it will help introduce your body to pollens which will allow you to build immunity to them. This is largely because the bees use local pollen to help make their honey. Best of all, while you shop and eat locally, you’ll be helping out your local economy immensely.
5. Maintain Bedding
It is very easy for your bed to be taken over by allergens without you even knowing it. This can be especially hard considering you spend a huge chunk of your day in bed. One of the best things you can do is make sure to wash your bedding on a weekly basis. Your sheets and pillowcases should be washed in the sanitization cycle once a week with the detergent of your choice. Your comforter and other blankets should be good to go for about a month, but if you’re worried about it then you might toss them in the dryer for freshening up. You can also wash your pillows every so often, but they might begin to deteriorate if you do it too often. These items can also be placed in the dryer to help freshen them and kill some germs. You should also Lysol them and your mattress every time you change linens. When you change sheets, you need to take the time to vacuum the bed if it doesn’t have a cover on it. This will cut back on dust mites and other problems that might leave you sneezing.
6. Air Purifier
If you have a bit of money to put into your health this season, then you might invest in an air purifier. This special device will help get rid of allergens in the air, which is great if you’re really having a hard time with allergies this season. Usually, air purifiers will only work in small spaces, so you might consider keeping it near you while you’re working or sleeping. These devices will also need extra filters to help keep processing your breathing air, so you might stock up on extras in order to keep yourself and your family protected.
7. Wash Often
Simply practicing good hygiene can help prevent some allergens from driving you crazy. For instance, if you tend to go outside and work in the yard often, or you spend hours out and about then you’re going to pick up plenty of allergens. They will stick to your skin, hair, and clothing. A simple shower will help get them off of the body and changing clothes will keep them away from the skin. You might have to do laundry more often, but overall, it will help you feel better than ever. You will also need to pay attention to how often you wash your hands, as allergens that enter your mouth can actually cause reactions to be a bit more irritating.
8. Change Air Filter
Every home has an air filter, which we often tend to forget about. However, when allergens strike, you might want to take the time to ensure your filter is brand new and ready to help you out. Changing out an air filter isn’t really a hard task at all, so you won’t even really need to look up a tutorial. Replacement filters are also incredibly cheap too, so getting one won’t set you back. If you’re still social distancing then you will definitely need to look online to order one, but this shouldn’t be a problem either. You might be surprised how much a new air filter will help your allergies. You may also consider changing out the air filter in your vehicle, as this can also keep allergens at bay when you’re running errands or going to work.
9. Try medications
If all else fails, you might find that medication is the only option to keep your allergies under control. Luckily, there are a lot of options to choose from that you can try over the counter. There are numerous affordable options too that can be purchased in bulk, so if you find a type that works for you then you might shop around this way. If you can’t get to a store right now, you can shop for these items online and some stores will even allow you to put them in your grocery order. If you can’t find a medicine that works for you or you know your insurance will cover the cost, then you might go ahead and talk to your doctor about your allergies. Your doctor should be able to steer you in the right direction so you can enjoy spring instead of spending the season with the sniffles.
10. Get Tested
Sometimes, the best way to get rid of your allergies is to get tested for what you’re actually allergic to. This is done with a series of needles that have a small dose of an allergen on them. If the area where the needle pricks become irritated, then you are allergic to that item. Knowing can be a huge part of the battle against allergies. Not only will it allow you to avoid the things you’re allergic too, which will improve your health quite a bit, but it can also help your doctor prescribe the best allergy medication for you. Apart from that, your insurance company might cover most of the cost of the procedure, especially if you suffer from major allergy attacks.
Keeping your allergies in check is important, especially with everything going around currently. These tips will help cut back on the amount that you suffer, which can make your life a lot better. On top of that, it can help boost your immune system, so you don’t have to worry about catching other ailments as much.
