Did you know there are many things you can do for your allergies in addition to, or instead of, taking antihistamines?
- Keep your bedroom completely dust and pollen free
- Keep your bedroom very very simple. No clutter. A bed and dresser only, this makes it easier to keep the dust and pollen down
- Wash down all surfaces with a wet rag or paper towel
- Avoid using spray cleaners
- Shower every night before you go to bed, this washes the pollen off your body
- Take up your wall to wall carpeting and put down wood or linoleum floors – clean them frequently with simple water and vinegar
- Keep an air purifier going at all times in your bedroom
- Wash your linen, all of it, at least weekly during high pollen season
- Do daily nasal washes – this rinses the pollen out of your nose, make sure you use a clean receptacle and boiled water that has been cooled with a recommended nasal rinse solution
- Wash your clothes frequently to remove any pollen that might be in the fibers
- Wear a mask or scarf that covers your nose and mouth when you go outside during high pollen/dust or pollution days
- If you live near the mountains, go high, the pollen and pollution is usually less at higher altitudes
- Lastly, if you consistently have breathing problems, try doing an elimination diet to see if you are affected by certain foods or food additives, try eating all organic. Doing food elimination diets is a somewhat scientific process which I am not going to detail here but WebMd and other reputable websites talk about them in more detail:
- http://www.webmd.com/allergies/allergies-elimination-diet