If you’re one of the many people across the world that struggle with allergies, you know how frustrating it can be. The red, irritated eyes, the stuffy nose, and just feeling awful overall… It’s the worst! If you want to prevent flare-ups, you have to make sure you avoid your allergens as much as possible. But as the weather changes, keep these five tips in mind to help you cope with your allergies…
1. Limit your time outdoors.
Spending time outdoors is nice, but unfortunately, Mother Nature is one of the main triggers for allergy symptoms. If your allergies are acting up and you notice they get worse after spending time outside, try to stay indoors as much as possible to ease your symptoms.
If you can’t avoid heading outside the house, plan your day by keeping the pollen levels in mind. Pollen is worse in the afternoons. So, if you have errands to run or want to take that walk through the neighborhood, try to do so in the morning.
2. Don’t lounge in your day clothes.
Get into the habit of changing your clothes as soon as you get home from work. The pollen and allergens you may have encountered during the day can linger on your clothes. You won’t want them to stay on you and trigger your allergies, so slip into something more comfortable and throw those dirty clothes in the laundry.
Because allergens can linger on your skin as well, you may want to make showering one of the first things you do when you arrive home at the end of the day. Evening showers are great because they’ll cleanse off any allergens and bacteria. before you hop into bed at night. You don’t want to bring any of that into the bed with you, do you?
3. Identify your allergies.
The key to successfully managing your allergies is knowing what your triggers are. If you’re unsure what sets off your allergies, consider getting an allergy test to find out. A doctor can administer a test to determine what you’re allergic to, how severe your allergies are, and can then prescribe medications and recommend a treatment plan. If you really want to take control of your allergies, get tested so you know exactly what you’re dealing with.
If you don’t want to get a test done with a doctor, remember to always listen to your body. When your allergies flare-up, notice your surroundings and make note so you can avoid your triggers. Do they occur after you’ve spent time outside or when you’ve been cleaning the house?
If your symptoms come with aches or a fever, a doctor should check you out. It may not be allergies bothering you after all. It could be a cold or virus instead that needs to be treated in a different way.
4. Seek salt.
Allergy medications come with many side effects, so if you find that they are making your feel groggy or just aren’t working, consider using a saline solution to ease your symptoms. Try a nasal spray or neti pot to clear out your sinuses.
If it’s a scratchy throat that’s plaguing you, gargling with warm, salt water should help soothe it!
5. Accept that allergies are real.
Allergies can be severe, causing a variety of pesky symptoms and making you feel completely exhausted. Know what you are dealing with so you can treat it properly for effective results. And remember that you should take care of your body, so give it a little extra rest and TLC when you’re feeling run down.
