Treating Allergies and Asthma Tips
Read these 33 Treating Allergies and Asthma Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Nurse tips and hundreds of other topics.
Information on Seasonal Allergies
When treating allergies, don't use your attic fan during allergy season. The fan sucks pollen into the house, which can be harmful to those that have a pollen allergy.
Severe Allergic Reactions
Anaphylactic shock, the most severe allergic reaction, is most commonly associated with bee or fire ant stings. If welts (hives) erupt following an insect sting, this is a warning flag to seek prompt medical attention and treat your allergies quickly.
Treating Allergies to Dust Mites
Dust mites like synthetic pillows as much as down or foam ones, but synthetic pillows have the major advantage of being washable in hot water which kills the dust mites, which is a good way of treating allergies in your home.
Allergies to Dust Mites
Wash your mattress pads weekly in hot water to kill dust mites for treating allergies.
Allergies to Shampoos
Dandruff sufferers may have allergies to shampoos they are using. Even dandruff remedy shampoos often contain dyes.
Dehumidifiers and Allergies
For allergy information, use this idea: keep the humidity in your home below 45% when treating allergies. To measure the humidity level, buy an inexpensive hygrometer available at many discount stores.
Treating Allergies with Nasal Sprays
Don't be tempted to treating allergies with an over-the-counter decongestant nasal spray for more than three days. After a few days of use, you may get a "rebound" effect, and your nose may become even more congested than before. These drugs are more useful for short-term use to relieve nasal congestion associated with a cold than as a treatment for allergies.
Cold Compresses for Allergy Relief
Are your allergy eyes giving you problems? For allergy relief, try a cold compress for 15-20 minutes. Wet a washcloth with cold water and place over your eyes.
Common Pollen Allergies
The most common pollens causing allergies include tree pollens (April - May), grasses (June - July) and ragweed (August - October).
Treating Asthma
For an asthma treatment, asthma sufferers should use the non-aspirin pain reliever acetaminophen (Tylenol) because the use of aspirin and NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), such as Advil/Motrin (Ibuprofen) tends to worsen asthma.
More Information About Allergies
When treating allergies to nuts, realize that artificial nuts can be peanuts that have been deflavored and reflavored with a nut, such as pecan or walnut. Mandelonas are peanuts soaked in almond flavoring.
Arachis oil is peanut oil.
It is advised that people that are allergic to peanuts avoid chocolate candies unless they are absolutely certain there is no risk of cross-contact during manufacturing procedures.
African, Chinese, Indonesian, Mexican, Thai, and Vietnamese dishes often contain peanuts, or are contaminated with peanuts during preparation of these types of meals. Additionally, foods sold in bakeries and ice cream shops are often in contact with peanuts. It is recommended that people that are allergic to peanuts avoid these types of foods and restaurants.
Also many brands of sunflower seeds are produced on equipment shared with peanuts.
Treating Environmental Allergies
To treat allergies to the environment, wear a face mask when doing chores that are most likely to expose you to common allergens like vacuuming and gardening. You can buy face masks at any hardware store.
Pet Dander Allergies
Pet dander allergies is a common allergen, especially allergies to cats and dogs. To ease the suffering that Fido or Fluffy may cause you, ban them from your bedroom at all times.
Air Conditioning and Environmental Allergies
To help alleviate problems with your pollen allergy, molds and dust mites, air condition your house and car. If possible, add an air cleaner to your central air conditioner to help alleviate your environmental allergies.
Treating Environmental Allergies
When treating environmental allergies, allergy experts recommend you dump the carpeting and use throw rugs instead. Since most people enjoy a carpeted home, try the new allergy care carpet treatments now available.
Drug Treatment for Allergies
The over-the-counter antihistamine diphenhydramine (Benadryl) works well for allergy treatments and has few drug interactions. Be sure to read the label for proper dosage and possible side effects.
Driving and Natural Antihistamines
Using natural antihistamines when treating allergies often cause drowsiness and should not be taken if driving or operating machinery.
Reducing Fall Allergies
Even though fall temperatures are mild, keep windows closed and use air conditioning to reduce allergy problems. Air conditioning filters out pollen allergies and keeps humidity low, which keeps indoor mold allergies down.
Bedding and Dust Mites Allergies
For more information about allergies, if dust mites give you trouble, seal your mattress, box springs and pillows in allergy-resistant plastic covers available at most discount stores.
Natural Antihistamines
Some helpful asthma information is that if you feel an asthma attack coming on and don't have your inhaler handy, try the following treatments for asthma: a couple cups of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or chocolate bars. The caffeine will help open your airways.
Using Inhalers Correctly
If you use an inhaler when treating asthma, remember that it's not a breath freshener. You must deeply inhale the medication into your lungs and hold it for 3 to 5 seconds before exhaling slowly.
Hay Fever vs. Sinusitis
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) allergy symptoms are characterized by a runny nose, sneezing and congestion, and itchy eyes, nose, throat and inner ears. Non-allergic rhinitis (sinusitis) is characterized by the following symptoms to allergies: a swollen, inflamed nasal lining and a stuffy nose. It may be triggered by irritants such as smoke, changes in barometric pressure or temperature, or overuse of over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays.
Information on Asthma
Asthma attack symptoms is characterized by coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and wheezing. Some symptoms of asthma can be triggered by several factors, including allergens or irritants, viral or sinus infections, exercise, reflux disease (stomach acid flowing back up the esophagus), medications or foods, and emotional anxiety.
Seasonal Allergies to Trees
Trees that can cause seasonal allergy symptoms include maple, ash, oak, elm, birch and cedar. When they pollinate depends on the area in which you live.
Allergies to Mold
For more information about allergies, clean humid areas, such as the bathroom and basement, with a fungicide (mold-killer) to alleviate allergies to molds. A cheap and effective one is bleach. Use a solution of 3/4 cup bleach to one gallon of water and let stand five minutes and then rinse.
Allergy Relief
One way to help with allergy relief is to avoid dyes, especially the ones in toilet paper. Use white to wipe.
Ragweed Pollen Allergy
Allergies to ragweed pollen, the most common weed pollen, usually start in the middle of August and continue until the frost begins. Interestingly, some regions are less affected than others because the west coast does not have any ragweed.
Allergies in the Environment
When trying to lessen your environmental allergies, try installing a window air conditioner, and properly care for your bedding and keep the door closed at all times.
More Information About Allergies
Aluminum chloride, aluminum sulfate and zirconium chlorohydrate in antiperspirants often cause dermatitis, especially after shaving. Try to choose antiperspirants that contain the anti-irritants allantoinate, zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminum hydroxide, or triethanolamine.
Common Allergens and Allergy Symptoms
A listing of common allergens: pollen, mold spores, dust mites, animal dander, feathers, foods, medications, and insect stings.
Common symptoms of allergies: watery, itchy eyes, sneezing, and a constant runny nose.
Preventing a More Severe Peanut Allergy Reaction
In one of seven studies published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, researchers say liquid charcoal, which is often used when people ingest poison to block absorption, can also absorb peanuts.
"After you've eaten the peanut and you have an allergic reaction, you still have peanut in your stomach," explained Dr. Donald Leung, editor of the journal. "And so rather than allow further peanut to be absorbed and have an even more severe reaction ... drinking the charcoal will prevent the further triggering of increased symptoms."
Leung advised that parents of young children with the allergy keep liquid charcoal -- available in pharmacies -- in the home, in case of accidental ingestion.
Allergy Sufferers in Vehicles
If you're an allergy sufferer, do not ride in a vehicle with the windows down or vents wide open. It will worsen your pollen allergies 200 percent. The same goes for your home. Invest in an air conditioner.
Allergies to Laundry Products
If you have severe allergies to laundry products, try using baking soda to wash your clothing and especially bedding.
