A Dozen Ways To Beat Allergies

By Naomi Ihedioha, MD

About 35 million Americans have seasonal allergies or hay fever. If one parent has allergies the risk of a child developing allergies is 48%. If both parents have allergies, the risk jumps to 70%.

Areas affected by allergies are eyes, nose, mouth, lungs and gastrointestinal system. Five of the most common allergies are pollen, mold, and animal dander, cockroaches and dust mites.

Strategies for Outdoor Allergies

Watch the weather. When it is rainy and calm, pollen tends to not move about. Windy, dry weather kicks up pollen, increasing allergy symptoms in susceptible people. So if the pollen count is high or if it's windy, stay indoors.

Close the windows in your home and cars to keep molds and pollens from drifting in while you sleep or travel.

Minimize your outdoor activity in the early morning (5-10AM), when the pollen count is usually the highest.

Vacation in a relatively pollen-free area, such as the beach, at the height of allergy season

Take allergy medicine regularly, as prescribed. Don't wait until you are very sick to get treated. Don't hang sheets or clothing outdoors to dry. Pollens and molds may collect on them.

Banish houseplants. If you must keep plants indoors, don't over water them. Wet soil encourages mold growth.

Strategies for Indoor Allergies

Indoor allergies tend to occur year round. In addition to treating yourself for the symptoms they cause, it's also important to change your home environment. The fact is things like dust mites and cockroaches are around us all the time. Cleanliness is especially important.

Control dust mites. They thrive in high humidity, so keep humidity below 50% by using a dehumidifier or air conditioner. Remove carpeting and use hardwood, tile or linoleum floors. Cover mattresses and pillows with airtight, special-fabric covers, and wash all bedding weekly in hot water. Use pillows filled with synthetic fibers.

Decrease animal dander by minimizing your exposure to animals. It's especially important not to let the animal go where you spend the most time, such as the bedroom.

Eliminate cockroaches. Limit their access to your home by sealing all windows, doorjambs, cracks and crevices. Have an exterminator treat the house regularly. It is extremely important to keep your house clean; keep your foods in airtight containers, clean surfaces and wash dishes immediately after meals.

Decrease mold and mildew. This is relatively simple. Just clean surfaces where molds and mildews are visible with a water-bleach solution containing 5% bleach.