People who have allergies sometimes think there is no way to avoid airborne allergens. After all, while you can avoid peanut or another food allergen, there’s no way to stop breathing the air!
Well, there are certain strategies that you can use to minimize your exposure to such impurities of the air, also called environmental allergens. Here are seven tips for coping with airborne allergens.
Shut the windows
In the months when pollen counts are high, you should shut your windows during the day. Pollen levels are always higher during the daytime hours, so it is advisable to close your windows then and open them at night. If cooling is necessary during the day, turn on an air conditioner.
Change your clothes
If the pollen count is high and you’ve spent a long time outside on a particular day, change your clothes when you get home. The allergens that you encountered outside can cling to your clothes – and continue to affect you – for several hours after you come inside.
Cover your mattress
If you are allergic to dust mites, you should use an anti-allergen plastic cover for your mattress. Since people spend several hours every night in bed, it’s important to reduce this exposure by preventing the dust mites from nesting in your mattress. Pillow covers are also available.
Wash your bedding often
Experts also advise that people with an allergy to dust mites should wash their sheets and blankets in hot water frequently – at least weekly.
Use hard floor coverings
Since carpeting can trap pollens, dust, and mold, people with severe environmental allergies should live in houses with hard floor coverings – hardwood, linoleum, or another option.
Vacuum often
Whatever kind of floor coverings you have, it’s important to vacuum or mop them frequently. Even if the floor looks clean, it may be covered by allergens. Also, vacuum all upholstered furniture.
Don’t hang clothes outside
Clothes left to dry outside absorb pollens, so it’s best to use the dryer instead.
While you can’t stop breathing the air, you can use these strategies to remove some allergens from the air. Of course, you can’t remove all allergens, so your doctor may also advise you to take antihistamines to reduce your allergy symptoms.
