Treatment of allergies
Does your head feel like it's stuffed with old socks? Do you feel like you can't stop your eyes itching and your nose running like a leaky faucet? Don't worry, you're not alone. You are probably among the 20 million Americans who suffer from hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis. What could have caused this allergic reaction? More importantly, how can allergies be prevented or controlled? The bad news is that for many people, allergy season lasts all year long. But wait! The good news is that a combination of preventative medications,...

Treatment of allergies
Does your head feel like it's stuffed with old socks? Do you feel like you can't stop your eyes itching and your nose running like a leaky faucet? Don't worry, you're not alone. You are probably among the 20 million Americans who suffer from hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis. What could have caused this allergic reaction? More importantly, how can allergies be prevented or controlled?
The bad news is that for many people, allergy season lasts all year long. But wait! The good news is that a combination of preventative medications, avoiding allergens, and allergy shots or vaccines can minimize the discomfort of allergy symptoms.
Minimize exposure
The first step is to minimize your exposure to the allergens that trigger your allergies. These can be pollen, mold, animal hair. Complete avoidance, although the best treatment, is an extreme solution and can be quite difficult to achieve as it may only provide temporary relief. A person may be sensitive to one allergen, but over time they may become sensitive to more such irritants. So the next best thing would be to avoid places where you know allergens are present. For example, if you are allergic to dogs, stay away from homes with dogs. Reduce exposure to mold allergens [http://www.central-air-purifiers.info/second-wind-air-purifiers.html] by ensuring your yard is mowed and raked, your bathrooms and basements are as dry as possible (you could use a dehumidifier), and controlling humidity in the home through central air conditioning. Of course, keeping your home clean will prevent dust mites, pollen, pet hair, and insects from disrupting your allergy-prone system. You could try using an air purifier to clear the air of these contagions. Make your home a non-smoking zone. Avoid using hairsprays and room fresheners as even strong scents can trigger an attack.
Taking medication
Your doctor may advise you to take an antihistamine. An antihistamine, as the name suggests, can counteract the effects of histamine, the chemical released by the body that causes allergy symptoms. These medications have proven successful in relieving the common symptoms of an allergic reaction. You may be given an over-the-counter or prescription decongestant, such as a nasal spray or nasal drops. These relieve congestion, swelling, excessive nasal and sinus secretions. Alternatively, your doctor may recommend prescription anti-inflammatory steroid medications if you have severe symptoms.
Allergy shots are also available to help your body better manage allergens. Small amounts of allergens are injected into the body to sensitize it to the allergens [http://www.central-air-purifiers.info/blueair-air-purifiers.html] and help the body deal with them. more effective. This treatment method is also known as immunotherapy or allergy desensitization. However, this treatment can take over a year to show results.
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