How's it going in keeping your homes sneeze free -- or at least cleaning in a way that helps any allergy sufferers in your home? In my area, pollen levels are high today, especially for ragweed and grasses. We'll get a break tomorrow, though, when cooler weather moves in for a day.
Let's close out this series by reviewing a few facts about allergies:
1) Allergies are produced when your immune system over reacts to harmless substances.
2) Breastfeeding a baby for at least 4 to 6 months will reduce the chance that the baby will go on to suffer allergies later on. The mother's diet while breastfeeding doesn't seem to factor one way or the other in whether a child will have allergies.
3) Changing formulas or changing a young child's diet does not seem to have much effect on a child's allergies, unless they are directly food allergies. It doesn't hurt to try changes, however, to see if anything might work for you or your child.
4)Very few people have allergic reactions to bouquets of flowers form the florist's or in groceries or other shops, though some do. There's usually not much pollen on such flowers, at least not in one bunch. If working in the garden has you sneezing, try enjoying flowers inside by arranging bought bouquets.
5) Computers, printers, and other home office machines collect dust. Keep these clean, both for the sake of allergy relief and to extend the working life of the equipment.
6) Eating well, sleeping well, and relieving stress might lessen the severity of allergic reactions and also allow you to deal with allergy symptoms.
7) If your allergy symptoms do not quickly clear up with over the counter medications, visit your doctor to have them evaluated. There are conditions, such as thyroid issues and being exposed to irritating fumes, that can mimic allergies, but are not allergic reactions per se. These are treated somewhat differently than allergies. You may also need help in identifying your specific allergies. Additionally, you may have developed chronic sinusitis and you may need help for that.
8) Don't overlook the role that treating allergic symptoms plays in your overall health. If you experience only a week or so of sneezing in the spring or fall, you likely recover quickly. However, chronic allergies can take a big toll on your well-being. Sometimes, people live with a run-down feeling and other allergy-related issues without realizing just how much their allergies are dragging them down. The proper treatment, however, can make huge improvements in a person's well-being.
9) Remember that antibiotics don't cure allergy related problems unless a secondary infection has resulted. Don't be surprised if a trip to the doctor doesn't result in a prescription for antibiotics. It's best that we all not over-use these medicines so that bacteria don't grow use to them and so that the medicines will remain effective in cases where they are really needed.
10) If you are working with garden mulch and are sensitive to molds, use precautions such as a mask, gloves, and washing up afterwards.
Enjoy!
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