If symptoms like runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing crop up repeatedly at the same time of year, allergies may be the culprit. Although these symptoms may be similar to those of the common cold, they are manageable. Read this article for tips on dealing with your allergic symptoms effectively.

If you battle pollen and spores while indoors, avoid leaving your windows open for longer than an hour or two. At the very least, close them between the hours of 5 and 10 in the morning; this is the time of day in which plants and flowers release their highest concentrations of pollen.

Going outside and just playing is fun, right? Not so, if you suffer from allergies and it happens to be peak allergy season at the moment. You can still have fun, but choose less intense activities. If you are breathing faster, then more allergens are being introduced into your system. So, enjoy the outdoors, but opt for activities, such as, yoga or stretching.

Keep your doors and windows closed if you suffer from allergies. While a lovely breeze through your home can be refreshing, it can also cause misery if pollen aggravates your allergies. Use fans or a central air system to circulate the air instead, which should minimize your allergy symptoms.

After years of dealing with the itchiness of allergic skin and eczema, constant scratching becomes a tough habit to break–even after allergy therapy. This can cause further damage to the skin, so you should cover the area with a thick protectant like Vaseline or vitamin E oil under an elastic bandage. This allows your skin to heal and can help you to break the cycle.

Try not to get discouraged if the first couple of allergy treatments you try do not provide satisfactory results. There are plenty of allergy treatments besides oral medications. Other alternatives include nasal sprays, nasal steroids, or eye drops.

Most people who are allergic to animal dander assume that dogs, and cats are the only pets that can cause problems in the home. With the exception of fish, reptiles, and amphibians, dander is universal among popular household critters. Ferrets, hamsters, mice, and birds are as likely to trigger an allergic reaction. Keep this in mind as you shop for your next pet.

Make a saltwater nasal spray at home if you suffer from allergies. This can greatly help any nasal congestion you have. To do this, simply mix a half a teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of water into a squirt bottle. Then, just use the spray in your nose like you would have with any other nasal spray.

Remove houseplants from your home. Houseplants can be a breeding ground for mold that triggers allergies. If you must have houseplants in your home, remove any leaves that have mold on them. You should also be sure that you avoid letting water sit in the tray after watering your plants.

Don’t be shocked if you take a test for allergies and receive multiple positives. It is not uncommon for individuals to touch, eat or inhale allergens every single day without experiencing an allergic episode. Sometimes, a person can live with undetected allergies for years.

Almost everyone knows another person who claims to be allergic to practically every substance in the universe and experiences a laundry list of symptoms in response. Actually, the effects of an allergic reaction are limited to any combination of only three symptoms. These include swelling (edema) of the mucosal membranes and skin, increased mucus secretion and smooth muscle spasms. Knowing the true signs of an allergic reaction can help you to determine whether or not medical assistance is needed.

While you may be tempted to bundle up with a wool blanket during the cold winter months, think twice if you suffer from allergies year-round. Compared with other materials, wool collects and locks in immense amounts of dust, as do down comforters. Instead, opt for bedding that is made only of synthetic materials.

When painting, cleaning, gardening or otherwise working near allergy triggers, put on a mask. A mask may not completely eliminate your symptoms, but it can drastically reduce the number of particles you inhale, keeping your symptoms to a minimum. Look for masks that specifically filter dust, pollen or other known allergens.

If you have carpeting anywhere in your home, be sure to take the time to vacuum it a few times a week. Also do not be stingy when you purchase a vacuum. Spend a little more to get a good quality vacuum and make sure that it has a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter which will help trap allergens.

Instead of avoiding fun activities outside or going to public places like restaurants because of your embarrassing symptoms, take control of your allergies. Learning about your options is the first step and managing them is the next. Always remember what you’ve learned so that you can enjoy your life without fear of allergy symptoms.

Top Tips For Winning The Battle Against Allergies was originally published on Spring