Fight Allergies at Home By Doing These 12 Things

Allergies are never fun, especially if they’re a reoccurring problem (which, for the most part, they are).  And you already know the drill: take an antihistamine, stay inside as much as possible to avoid allergen exposure, and drink lots of fluids and vitamins.

All good advice… however, what happens when the allergies aren’t only seasonal, and you need to deal with them every single day?

Exactly.

So, we’ll be listing some of the most important things you should know and do in order to improve your overall health, alleviate allergy symptoms and enjoy life as much as possible.

Read the tips allergists would want you to you know.

1. Give your home a thorough overhaul

Believe it or not, your indoor air is often way worse than the air outside when it comes to allergies. Germs are everywhere and to try and get rid of them, it’s very important you give your home a thorough overhaul.

2. Get rid of mold

When you’re cleaning your home, watch out for mold, especially as the weather becomes warmer. Mold spores can trigger asthma or cause hay fever symptoms by getting into your nose, which will, as you already know, make you feel extremely uncomfortable and mess up your breathing.

Check around air conditioning units, beneath sinks, check your kid’s toys, under carpets, behind and under sofas and sofa cushions, check your kitchen and your bathroom thoroughly, as well as other elements around your home you suspect could have mold.

3. Use anti-allergen laundry detergent

Mold spores and pollen can easily stick to your clothes which is why it’s essential you wash them properly in order not to contaminate the rest of your wardrobe or the elements in your home. The most efficient way to get rid of the allergens on your clothes is to:

a) Strongly shake the clothes out outside

b) Add a bit of bleach to your normal detergent when laundering the clothes

or

c) Use a special anti-allergen laundry detergent

d) Dry the clothes in a dryer or inside the house because by hanging them outside to dry, you are exposing them to pollen and other allergens

4.Wash your hair

Wait, what? Yep, you’ve read it right. As you spend time outside pollen can get stuck in your hair and cause discomfort as you go on with your day. This is especially true for those using hair mousses, hair sprays or gels.

To avoid going to bed with your hair full of pollen that will have you sneezing and coughing throughout the night, wash your hair before you go to bed. Not the easiest solutions for girls with long or colored (or both!) hair, but – it is what it is.

5. Resort to acupuncture

Although it is still not confirmed that this Chinese technique can permanently solve allergy problems, the practice has shown that allergy-prone people experience way less problems if they undergo acupuncture regularly. These days, you can book professionals to come to your home and avoid the hassle of going to the acupuncture center.

6. Adjust your thermostat

To keep the dust mites away, make sure the humidity in your home is less than 50 percent, and the warmth less than 70 degrees. The ideal humidity is between 40 and 45 percent, and the best ways to achieve that percentage is to buy a home hygrometer that will monitor your humidity levels.

7. Install an air purifier for allergies in your home

Allergies make it harder to breathe, and when the air in your home is stuffy – things get even worse. On that note, installing an air purifier for allergies in your home is the best thing to do. Regular air purifiers are okay too, but air purifiers for allergies are way more efficient. It’d be wise to install them in all the rooms you spend a lot of time in.

8. Vacuum regularly

Everything around you can be home to dust mites and allergens, especially the interior of your home. With all the carpeting, warm, damp spaces, pillows, fabric-covered furniture, tightly sealed windows, etc. your home is, pretty much, the landmine of germs. So, make sure you vacuum regularly – if not every day, then every other day. That should make things at least a bit easier on your runny nose, sneezing and headache.

9. Wash your bedding

Just like your clothing picks up a lot of unwelcome particles throughout the day, so do your bed sheets. To keep them free of allergens and dust mites as much as possible, wash them in super-hot water, at at least 140 degrees. Also, change your bedding regularly.

10. Eat the right foods

Improper eating habits are one of the main triggers of a number of health problems (allergies included), which is why fixing your diet is the first step to helping yourself in the long run. Not only will eating the right foods help you with your health and allergies but you’ll also look better and feel lighter.

Antioxidants found in vegetables, fruits, nuts, green tea, seeds, and other foods and beverages are perfect for battling inflammation AND keeping your body in its best shape. Still, if you are allergic to specific food, it’s best you consult a doctor before you adopt any diet plan.

NOTE: Peppermint or chamomile teas are great for fighting allergies; while chamomile is a fantastic natural antihistamine, peppermint is light on the palate and can help reduce inflammation.

11. Close your windows

Yes, we all love spring, but when spring turns out to be our biggest enemy, opening up the windows to enjoy the fresh air isn’t really an option. When you feel like getting some freshness, crank the AC instead of opening the windows, especially at night.

The AC will dehumidify and clean the air in your home, and help you sleep at night – allergy-free.

There you go – the 11 tips that will help you deal with allergies without using heavy medication or changing your lifestyle too much.

Let us know if any of them helped!