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Get a Head Start in Your Fight Against Allergy Symptoms
by François-Xavier Maher, pharmacist/pharmacien
2011-08-08
Reducing your exposure to allergens is an essential first step in alleviating your allergy symptoms during your most challenging times. Precautions vary according to your type of allergy:
Pollen allergies:
- Avoid mowing or handling grass.
- Avoid drafts and keep your windows closed.
- Do not keep fresh or dried flowers inside your home.
- Avoid wearing contact lenses.
- Do not dry your clothes and bedding in the open air.
- Avoid walking and hiking in the forest.
- Avoid eye and nasal contact with chlorine in pool water.
- Avoid alcohol consumption as well as certain foods such as berries, peaches, bananas, cucumber, grapes and watermelon.
Dust Mite Allergies:
- Keep humidity levels in your home below 45%, since humidity levels above 50% encourage the proliferation of dust mites.
- Avoid rugs and carpets in your home.
- Choose leather furniture rather than fabric seating and avoid upholstery.
- Cover mattresses, pillows and box springs with dust mite-proof covers.
- Regularly vacuum mattresses, beds and box springs.
- Clean floors once a week and bedding at least once every two weeks using hot water.
- Avoid using down-filled bedspreads and quilts.
Animal Allergies:
- All warm-blooded animals can trigger reactions in allergic persons. Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat or dog race. In fact, the allergy-causing protein is found not only in the animal’s fur, but also on its skin, in its saliva and in its urine.
- Avoid all contact with animals and keep them out of your bedroom.
- Wash cats once a week and dogs twice a week.
- Remember that allergens left behind by an animal will remain up to several months after the animal has been removed from a home.
The views expressed here are solely those of the author and are based on his/her knowledge and experience. They do not necessarily represent the views of the manufacturer.
If you think you are experiencing allergy symptoms, please consult your healthcare professional for a formal diagnosis.
Categories:
Prevention Tips
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by 2011-08-08
Reducing your exposure to allergens is an essential first step in alleviating your allergy symptoms during your most challenging times. Precautions vary according to your type of allergy:
Pollen allergies:
- Avoid mowing or handling grass.
- Avoid drafts and keep your windows closed.
- Do not keep fresh or dried flowers inside your home.
- Avoid wearing contact lenses.
- Do not dry your clothes and bedding in the open air.
- Avoid walking and hiking in the forest.
- Avoid eye and nasal contact with chlorine in pool water.
- Avoid alcohol consumption as well as certain foods such as berries, peaches, bananas, cucumber, grapes and watermelon.
Dust Mite Allergies:
- Keep humidity levels in your home below 45%, since humidity levels above 50% encourage the proliferation of dust mites.
- Avoid rugs and carpets in your home.
- Choose leather furniture rather than fabric seating and avoid upholstery.
- Cover mattresses, pillows and box springs with dust mite-proof covers.
- Regularly vacuum mattresses, beds and box springs.
- Clean floors once a week and bedding at least once every two weeks using hot water.
- Avoid using down-filled bedspreads and quilts.
Animal Allergies:
- All warm-blooded animals can trigger reactions in allergic persons. Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat or dog race. In fact, the allergy-causing protein is found not only in the animal’s fur, but also on its skin, in its saliva and in its urine.
- Avoid all contact with animals and keep them out of your bedroom.
- Wash cats once a week and dogs twice a week.
- Remember that allergens left behind by an animal will remain up to several months after the animal has been removed from a home.
The views expressed here are solely those of the author and are based on his/her knowledge and experience. They do not necessarily represent the views of the manufacturer.
If you think you are experiencing allergy symptoms, please consult your healthcare professional for a formal diagnosis.