Summer is here and while outdoor activities will be at an all-time high, you still need to look out for allergies and visit an allergy center if the symptoms are severe. Here’s how you can treat and prevent summer allergies so that it doesn’t ruin the fun.
What Causes Summer Allergies?
Before getting into the prevention of allergies, it’s important to know the causes of allergies first. Here are some things which can lead to aggravated allergies and reactions.
Pollen
Pollen is a very common allergen or trigger, which can lead to allergies. Pollen is common in spring and summer time because flowers are blooming and it can transfer via air or water and onto your skin or clothes. From there, it can go into your nose and mouth and cause extreme reactions, like puffy nose, fever, formation of red patches and swelling all over the face.
Smog
Smog isn’t as common during the summertime, but that doesn’t mean that smoke can’t lead to allergic reactions. If you live in an area where there are a lot of industries, then industrial smog can give you the time of your life, in the worst way possible.
Smog has a lot of dust and chemical particles, which can irritate your throat and can cause difficulty in breathing. This can be a bigger problem, especially if you have asthma or any other allergy related to breathing or the respiratory system.
Pet Dander Or Fur
A lot of people have pets, but not many people have a tolerance for pet dander and fur. Cats and dogs are the most common animals whose fur can lead to allergies.
If you inhale small particles of fur or dander or if it comes in contact with the skin, then it can lead to skin issues like redness, swelling on the face, constriction of the throat, breathing difficulty, and more.
Dust
Dust is also a very common allergen. Dust is the norm during summer and spring months because the wind speed is more during this time. Dust can lead to many problems like excessive sneezing, wheezing, constriction of the chest, and runny nose.
Dust allergies can also occur because of the dehydrated inner walls of the nose. Dust can settle into the nose and irritate it to no end. This is why it is suggested that you keep a nasal spray handy, especially if you get dust allergies more often. You will save yourself from a lot of trouble.
How To Prevent Summer Allergies?
Here are some things and preventative measures you can take to reduce allergies in the summer.
Get An Air Purifier
An air purifier is a lifesaver for people who constantly get severe seasonal allergic reactions. An air purifier is a device that purifies and filters the air coming through your windows. Think of it as a water filter but for the air. It gets rid of microscopic allergens like pollen and dust and keeps the air fresh so that you can breathe comfortably.
An air purifier is also great for people who suffer from breathing difficulties, respiratory issues, and asthma. Best of all, it beats paying a visit to an allergy specialist Manassas.
Invest In A Humidifier
Not only is it important to keep the air around you clean, but it should be damp as well. Moisture in the air can do wonders for your allergies. If you live in dry areas, then a humidifier will save the day for you. It is like a steam-producing device, in which you put water and it ejects droplets of water into the air, making it moist and soothing your dry nose and itchy throat.
You can also add essential oils of eucalyptus and tea tree oil to amplify the benefits of the humidified air and breathe in the goodness these oils have to offer.
Maintain A Good Hygiene
Good hygiene will keep you healthy and allergies won’t be an issue. It’s very important to be clean and tidy at all times, especially when you come back home from work or school. You don’t want to lounge around in the clothes you wore outside, so it’s best to change them right away. Not only is it more sanitary, but it will also eliminate any chances of pollen or dust from going into the body and causing problems
Pollen, hay, and dust can easily stick to the clothes and if you don’t take them off right away, these allergens can find their way into your bloodstream through your nose, mouth, and even the eyes.
Avoid The Triggers
This is one of the biggest preventative tips that you can follow to get rid of allergies. It is very important that you pinpoint what kinds of triggers cause severe allergies and reactions in your body. Once you have that figured out, you want to try your best to avoid the triggers at all costs. If you are allergic to certain foods items, pollen, or pets, then it’s best to keep your distance from these things, for the sake of your health.
Wear A Mask
A mask is a great way to cover your nose and mouth, which are considered to be the perfect entry points for allergens and triggers. You want to cover your face with a mask, wherever you go because it is going to act as a shield and protect you from all kinds of allergens as well as bacteria.
When you come back, make sure that you discard the mask and use a new one, because you don’t want to put a dirty mask on your face again, since it can still have allergens lingering on its surface.
Keep Your Medication Handy
If you have a long history of allergies and take medication for it, then you want to follow this tip for sure. Whenever you are leaving the house, make sure that you have your medicine with you at all times. It doesn’t take much time to pop the medicine into your bag. It can save you a lot in the long run, especially if you have an unfortunate run-in with allergies and want to alleviate the symptoms right away.
Having your normal allergy medicine, as well as some antihistamines is going to prevent the allergies from worsening and you will have everything under control.
Consult With Your Doctor
Last, but not least, there are only so much these tips and home remedies can do, so it’s a good idea to consult with your doctor. This can be about going a different route for treating the allergies, like trying immunotherapy or allergy shots or it can be reaching out to the doctor if you’re not feeling well after exposure to an allergy.
Keeping in touch with your doctor is a good thing, because there might be things you need to change in order to get better results, like other medications, lifestyle changes, etc.
Conclusion
Allergies can be hard to deal with and it can really put a toll on your overall health and routine, but these tips are going to help you a lot in treating as well as preventing the symptoms from getting worse. Find allergy doctor Germantown for the diagnosis and treatment of your allergies.