Will Air Cleaning Devices Help
Air cleaning devices might help. But the best way to improve your air quality is to get rid of the sources of allergens and irritants from your home. Take measures to avoid and reduce your contact with allergens. Also increase the flow of outdoor air into your home and reduce humidity as much as possible.
Reducing humidity decreases dust mites and mold growth. Air conditioners help reduce humidity too. They can also prevent outdoor allergens. Keep your windows and doors closed. Turn your air conditioner on recirculate. These steps can help reduce outdoor allergens like pollen and mold.
Air cleaners with CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® filters can filter almost 98% of allergen particles in the air. Look for CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® devices.
Bad Allergies And How To Get Rid Of Them
An allergic reaction is caused by a heightened immune response to a substance, be it dust, smoke, pollen, pet dander, certain household products, or even food, such as peanuts or shellfish. To others, the same substances may not produce a reaction, but to an allergy sufferer, it may cause them to sneeze, cough, wheeze, or break out in hives.
You know your allergies are bad if they cause you to miss work, prevent you from falling asleep, and render you unable to function effectively. Food allergies and insect sting allergies can turn fatal if not treated promptly.
So here goes the bottom-line question: how do you prevent or get rid of bad allergies then? Lets find out.
Are There Herbal Remedies
If youre looking for a natural remedy, you can go to your local natural health store and ask for stinging nettle, butterbur, spirulina, or quercetin. Herbal remedies might help decrease some of your allergy symptoms, but they arent guaranteed to work.
Make sure you consult your doctor before trying any natural supplements. It is important to know what side effects to look out for and if there are any interactions between the supplement and any current medications you are taking.
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Food Allergies Treatments And Natural Remedies
Despite the risk of severe allergic reactions and even death, there is no current cure for food allergies. The condition can only be managed by allergen avoidance or treatment of food allergy symptoms.
However, fortunately there are natural food allergies treatments and supplements that can help to boost the immune system and enhance the gut microbiota, helping to reduce the development of food allergies and food allergy symptoms.
Consider Nasal Washing With Sinus Rinses
Sinus rinses are a popular allergy treatment that you can do at home, working well with antihistamines and nasal sprays. The neti pot may be one of the most recognizable sinus rinse products.
A neti pot can be picked up at any local drugstore or online, and typically comes with packets to mix with warm, distilled water to create a saltwater solution. Using the pot to pour the solution through your nasal cavities, you can flush out gunk and allergens to reduce swelling and ease symptoms.
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What Causes Allergies During The Winter
You dont have pollen in the winter, says Douglas H. Jones, MD, a board-certified allergist at the Tanner Clinic in Layton, Utah. So outdoor winter allergies arent such a cause for concern. But you still have the indoor .
And if youre spending more time indoors during cold weather, you might notice an increase in allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, wheezing, and itchy, watery eyes. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, common indoor allergens include:
- Animal Dander Its the dander , not the hair of household pets such as cats and dogs, that can cause acute or chronic allergic reactions in people.
- Dust Mites These microscopic bugs might be the most common cause of year-round indoor allergies, notes the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America. Dust mites thrive in bedding, carpeting, and the upholstered furniture inside your home.
- Indoor Mold We all breathe in mold spores, but for those with an allergy, exposure can trigger sneezing, congestion, and itchiness. Mold and mildew favor damp areas, like basements and bathrooms.
- Cockroach Droppings These persistent pests can live anywhere, and while theyre not a sign of an unhygienic or unsanitary household, its important to keep food well-contained and be vigilant about cleaning up crumbs. Fixing leaky faucets and pipes and sealing up cracks and crevices in your home can help keep cockroaches away.
Scientists May Have Found Out How To Get Rid Of Cat Allergies
That sneezing, wheezing, congested, itchy eye, must-escape-this-room-because-I-cant-breathe-around-this-cat feeling can ruin even the best of daysespecially if you are a cat lover.
But now, you might be able to avoid the allergies altogether, instead of avoiding the furry feline.
You read that right. There have been some very promising scientific breakthroughs that can help alleviate the symptoms of cat allergies altogether. Breathing comfortably without red, itchy eyes could become the norm for allergy sufferers.
And we arent talking about allergy shots or desensitization therapy, either.
These new treatments for cat allergies arent for youtheyre actually administered to your cat. The goal is to help make them less likely to incite an inflammatory process in you.
Heres everything you need to know about the potential new cat allergy treatments.
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How To Live With Allergies And Pets
Millions of people enjoy sharing their homes and their lives with pets, even those who are allergic to animals. Unfortunately, some people believe that once they are diagnosed with a pet allergy, they have no choice but to remove their pets from their family.
Thankfully, there are many solutions that can be explored that would allow an allergy sufferer to keep their beloved pets while successfully managing their allergies. You’d be surprised to know how many people with allergies that aren’t life-threatening are able to live happily with their pets.
In many cases, the benefits of having a pet outweigh the drawbacks of pet allergies.
Top 9 Natural Allergy Relief Home Remedies
According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, one in five people, or an estimated 50 million Americans, suffer from some type of allergies. The chances are high that you or someone you know deals with ongoing allergies, whether seasonal allergies, food allergies or another type, and could use allergy relief at least from time to time.
Most people who struggle to find allergy relief go to the doctor to be treated and/or are routinely given pharmaceuticals ranging from acetaminophens to antihistamines, both of which may actually further aggravate the symptoms they were given for. If you prefer not to take prescriptions to keep your symptoms under a control, what can help allergies at home?
Home remedies for allergies including symptoms like congested sinuses, headaches, and watery or itchy eyes include using frankincense essential oil, eucalyptus oil and quercetin. Below youll learn about nine amazing, all-natural home remedies for allergies that can help provide fast allergy relief.
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How To Repel Stray Cats With Water
Another thing that most cats dislike is water. If youre looking for one of the best ways for keeping stray cats away from your porch, then squirt them with a little bit of water. Keep a full spray bottle nearby so you can do it yourself, or set up a motion-sensor sprinkler to do the job for you.
This is such an effective method of how to repel stray cats that there are animal-specific sprinklers you can purchase. These devices sense the presence of the critters and spray right at the unwanted visitors.
As a bonus, it can be quite entertaining to sit on the porch and watch the cats approach. You get to see how fast they run away when they hit the area covered by the sprinkler.
Talk With Your Doctor About Seasonal Allergy Testing Or Allergy Shots
Allergy testing can help your care provider diagnose your exact allergies and come up with a treatment plan to help relieve your symptoms.
Allergy tests are pretty simple. The tests are performed on your skin at a clinic that offers allergy testing. This determines what allergens are causing your symptoms.
Depending on how severe your allergies appear to be, your doctor may recommend immunotherapy with allergy shots to help reduce and maybe even eliminate your bodys reaction to environmental allergens.
These shots help teach your body to not be allergic and are given over the course of a couple of years until a target dose is reached. Once the right dosage has been reached, your doctor will work with you on a maintenance schedule.
Allergy shots are the most effective way of treating allergies and work better than most prescription medications. A course of allergy shots can give you long-term symptom relief that could last for 5-10 years. Many people have symptom relief the rest of their life. You can discuss the cost of allergy shots with your insurance provider.
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Use A Hepa Air Purifier
Some people choose to use air purifiers for help with their allergies. These portable devices can be set up indoors to reduce unwanted air particles9. Theyre particularly useful for people with dust or pet allergies, as they can help to remove common indoor allergens from the air.
When you buy an air purifier, check its capacity to ensure its big enough for the room you want to put it in. A HEPA filter can potentially take more than 99.9% of mold, pollen and dust out of the air in your home10.
What Are Some Common Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
When your body is responding to an allergen, it lets you know. According to the
- Stuffy or runny nose and excess mucus
- Itchy eyes, nose, mouth, or throat
- Red, watery, and puffy eyes
- trouble breathing
- Saline nasal irrigationA nasal rinse clears mucus from your nose and can ease allergy symptoms. Not only can it reduce nasal drip, but it can also wash out any bacteria or allergies youve inhaled.
- HEPA filtersA high-efficiency particulate air filter is a mechanical filter that works by forcing air through a fine mesh that traps harmful particles like pollen, pet dander, dust mites and tobacco smoke. Replace HEPA filters monthly for best results.
- Try ProbioticsProbiotics may help reduce allergy symptoms when taken during allergy season. Some strains of beneficial bacteria have been shown to regulate t-cells , which can help produce a stronger immune response to common allergens.
- Take vitamin CVitamin C acts as a natural antihistamine by reducing the amount of histamine your body produces in response to an allergen. It might help reduce mild symptoms like congestion, runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes. The recommended dose is 2,000 milligrams per day.
- Stinging Nettle:
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Medical researchers found that stinging nettle was effective at treating allergy symptoms in patients involved in a study. Used for centuries to treat allergies as well as arthritis and muscle pain, stinging nettle just might be the ticket for you to better enjoy your furry friends.
- Quercetin:
- According to the National Institute of Health, Quercetin was effective for reducing the painful inflammation and immune-systems histamine response caused by sensitivity to irritants. Not only that, Quercetin is also a powerful antioxidant. Although its naturally found in many plant-based foods like onions, broccoli and apples, a supplement may be worth trying to reduce your sensitivity to pets.
- Bromelain:
- An enzyme naturally occurring in Pineapple, Bromelain has been found to help relieve bronchitis and sinusitis in medical research studies. Be aware that Bromelain might also increase your absorption of certain prescription medications, so be sure to talk with your doctor before taking it or any other health/dietary supplements.
- Butterbur
- Butterbur has been shown to reduce migraine headaches and additional medical research studies suggest that it is also effective for treating allergy symptoms as well. Be aware, not all Butterbur supplements are created equal, some Butterbur may contain a compounds called pyrrolizidine alkaloids . PAs are not good for the liver so using a Butterbur supplement that is PA free is best.
- AllQlear by Integrative Therapeutics:
Sometimes these symptoms can feel like a cold or another respiratory infection like COVID-19. If youre not quite sure what youre dealing with, pay close attention to other symptoms that might be surfacing. A cold or flu-like infection may also cause additional warning signs such as fever, chills, and body aches, Ratika Gupta, MD, an allergist and immunologist with New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, tells SELF. Allergies should not cause any of those things, Dr. Gupta says.
Whats more, seasonal allergy symptoms tend to last longer, according to the National Library of Medicine . If youre unsure about whats going on and youve had symptoms for longer than a week, scheduling an appointment with your doctor can help you figure out whats driving your discomfort.
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Risks And Side Effects
While most of the supplements and tips described above can provide natural allergy relief safely, there are some precautions to keep in mind.
When allergies are mild or moderate, they are usually not very threatening and go away with time. However, severe allergic reactions can be dangerous and require medical attention.
Anaphylaxis is the term for a severe allergic reaction, which can happen due to contact with food allergens, drugs/medications or insect stings. Symptoms usually affect the lungs, blood vessels or heart and can include:
If you or your child experience these symptoms, head to your doctor or the emergency room right away to prevent complications.
What can you do for severe allergies? Your doctor may need to prescribe allergy shots or prescription asthma medications, such as bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids.
Discuss these options with your health care provider, and consider trying the natural allergy relief remedies described above in addition to using medications.
What Exactly Is Cat Dander
Dander refers to the microscopic pieces of dead skin that animals with fur or feathers shed into their surrounding environment. Since its defining characteristics are being tiny and lightweight, dander has no problem remaining suspended in the air for long periods of time. Its rough edges allow it to easily latch onto the surfaces in your home, especially those that are softer like bedding and upholstery.
Since dander can glide through the air and hook onto clothing without much difficulty, it can even spread to places where no cat has been before.
One of the reasons that cat dander is a major allergen is because of a protein called Fel d 1, which is commonly found within the skin, urine, and saliva of cats. Research shows that male cats produce less of this protein than female cats, so if youre a first-time cat owner, it may be in your best interest to adopt a Mrs. Sparkles instead of a Mr. Sparkles.
Siberians, Balinese, and Russian Blues are low shedding cats that would all be good options for those with severe allergies because they produce less of the Fel d 1 protein.
My cat has dandruff
To treat dandruff, you can follow the same first two steps to reduce dander in your home, so keep on reading!
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Cat Allergies In Infants
There is ongoing debate among scientists whether infants who are exposed to animals at a very young age are destined to develop allergies, or if the opposite is true. Recent studies have come to conflicting conclusions. A 2015 study found that exposing infants to cats and dogs at home is associated with a higher risk of developing allergies during the first four years of the childs life.
On the other hand, a 2011 study found that babies who live with cats, especially during the first year of life, develop antibodies to the pet and were less likely to acquire an allergy later.
A 2017 study found that cats and dogs may provide a benefit by exposing babies to certain healthy bacteria early in life. The study concluded that babies exposed to a cat or dog in the home during pregnancy may have fewer problems with allergies in the future than babies who werent exposed.
Your doctor will be able to answer questions you may have about your baby and your cat. For children who are allergic, removing fabric toys and stuffed animals and replacing them with plastic or washable ones may help relieve symptoms.
Avoidance is best to prevent the allergies in the first place. But if you discover youre allergic to your cat, there are other options than getting rid of your pet. Consider these strategies for reducing your symptoms.
Treatment Options For Winter Allergy Symptoms
To treat allergy symptoms, Dr. Jones cautions against older over-the-counter medicines, which, he says, can do more harm than good.
Some of these drugs have too many side effects, he notes, and people dont really understand how to match their symptoms to the product. They just know they feel bad and want to feel better.
For example, some OTC allergy drugs contain decongestants, like pseudoephedrine, which can raise a users heart rate. The active ingredient in the antihistamine Benadryl diphenhydramine causes some tissues to dry out and promotes urinary retention, Dr. Jones says. So people with prostate problems, who may have trouble urinating, find that that condition worsens when they take diphenhydramine.
Dr. Jones says that better options are allergy medications that contain loratadine and cetirizine , two drugs that moved from prescription to OTC status in recent years. Prescription steroid nasal sprays tend to be more effective than antihistamine tablets when used regularly, adds Dr. Rank, though individual responses vary and the two types of drugs are often used in combination.
Talk to your doctor and your pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter medication, to discuss whether its appropriate for your symptoms and potential side effects.
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Ten Ways To Control Allergies Without Medication
The best way to control allergies without medication is to avoid them altogether, but thats not always possible, or realistic. Some allergens like pollen are tiny, which means they can travel long distances and cover a lot of ground, surfaces, skin and hair. So, unless you have severe allergy symptoms that require medication, there are a lot of ways you can alleviate your symptoms and get back to doing the things you love, including:
How To Get Rid Of Cat Allergies Naturally:
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