It may come as a surprise to some people to find out that the common cold symptoms that they have every year as the seasons change, are actually allergies! While allergies are common, they can often be difficult to manage. Read the tips in this article and find out how to live with ease.

When you constantly battle allergies, it pays to devote a little extra time to cleaning the areas in which you live, work and play. For example, you should regularly wipe down any surface that you touch frequently like keyboards, countertops, door knobs and appliances. This reduces the amount of allergens that you come into contact with daily.

Understand the fundamental differences between irritants and allergens. Exposure to an allergen provokes a physical reaction in your body in response to an unnatural protein. Irritants include things like paper dust, chemical fumes, perfume and cigarette smoke. These substances are irksome, but they do not carry an actual health risk, most of the time.

For those who love the idea of toiling in their own vegetable garden, allergies caused by mold and pollen can seem especially oppressive. Fortunately, this does not mean would-be gardeners have to give up their hobby altogether. Instead, they must outwit outdoor allergens. The ideal time to garden is immediately after a storm when rainwater flushes away clouds of pollen, spores and other allergens. Alternately, one could use a garden hose to spray the area in which they plan to work.

One of the easiest things that you can do if you suffer from seasonal allergies is to try taking an over-the-counter antihistamine. Sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose are all symptoms of seasonal allergies.They can be relieved by many readily available medicines. Be cautious though, b] many of these antihistamines will make you drowsy, so you might not be able to drive.

If you are going outdoors when allergy season is in full force, wear sunglasses. Sunglasses prevent pollen, and other allergy triggers from getting in your eyes. About one hour before heading outdoors, put eye drops in your eyes. This will prevent your eyes from getting red when you are outdoors.

If you are using allergy medicine, you need to take it responsibly. Most medications require days of constant use for them to work. Don’t think that popping a tablet in your mouth as soon as you begin sneezing is going to help, because, depending on the medication you’re taking, that may not happen. Make sure to speak with your physician about the proper dosage for you.

If you are allergic to pollen, and you need to control how much of it is in your home, you should change your bedding weekly. When you wash it, you should wash it in hot water to help remove the pollen. You should also take a shower before bed so that you can wash away the pollen that accumulates in your hair during the day.

If you’ve been outside for an hour or more, you’ve likely collected some airborne allergens. Try to take a shower as soon as you can. If you cannot take one right away then make sure to take one before heading to bed. This will get rid of any allergens that have built up on your skin. Unless you take a shower, these substances may remain on your skin and in your hair.

Buy a dehumidifier for your basement. If you have a damp basement, this can be a breeding ground for mold. You can avoid mold build up, which triggers allergies, by putting a dehumidifier in your basement. You may want to buy a humidity gauge, to figure out the type of dehumidifier you need.

Avoid clutter, especially in the bedroom. If you suffer from allergies, you should strive to keep your bedroom as free from clutter as possible. Since you likely spend anywhere from six to ten hours per day in bed, it is crucial that this area is as allergen-free as possible. The less clutter you have, the fewer places there are for dust, and other irritants to settle.

If you can spare the added expense, hire another person or a professional lawn care service to take care of all of your landscaping needs. The acts of mowing, raking and weeding can stir up an immense amount of mold, pollen and dust, making you more vulnerable to an allergy attack.

If you suffer from allergies, especially allergic rhinitis, consuming too many alcoholic beverages could lead to more pronounced, and frequent symptoms. Even in small amounts, alcohol can lead to congestion in the nasal passages. As a result, anyone with a stuffed-up, runny nose due to allergies may experience more intense edema in the nose.

Allergies have the irritation that comes with having a cold without the relief that it will end in 1-2 weeks. Instead of letting your symptoms control you, take control of the situation and speak with a doctor. Remember the tips outlined in this article, so you can stop sneezing all the time!

Fight Back This Allergy Season With These Helpful Tips was originally published on Spring