How to Avoid an Allergy Attack During Severe Pollen Seasons
If you’ve ever had a severe allergy attack, you know it’s a lot more than a sneeze and sniffle. According to WebMD, 50 million Americans suffer from allergies every year.
Unfortunately, our allergies get even worse during pollen season.
With a few tips, you can prepare and prevent an allergy attack. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about your allergies!
Types of Allergies
An allergy attack occurs after you touch, inhale, or ingest a substance you’re allergic to. If your allergies are seasonal, just heading to work can leave you sniffling.
Here are some of the most common allergies:
- Pollen
- Pet dander
- Dust
- Mold
- Insects (fire ants, hornets, bees, wasps)
- Antibiotics
- Food (soy, shellfish, peanuts, milk, fish, eggs, wheat, tree nuts)
- Latex
If your parents are allergic to anything on this list, you’re more likely to experience the allergy, too.
There are numerous triggers that can cause a severe allergy attack, so have your EpiPen ready.
Allergy Symptoms
If you have seasonal allergies, you’ll experience most of your symptoms outside. However, outdoor pollutants can impact your indoor air quality, too.
Keep an eye out for these symptoms:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Itching
- Watery eyes
- Wheezing
- Nausea
- Flushed skin
- Hives
- Rash
- Swelling of the throat, lips, or face
- Breaking issues
If you experience an anaphylactic shock as a result of your symptoms, call 911 immediately.
How to Prevent an Allergy Attack
Preventing an allergy attack usually depends on the type of allergy you have. Try these tips to prevent your airborne allergies.
1. Avoid Your Triggers
To start, it’s important to know what you’re allergic to. Check in with an allergy specialist for a test.
The CDC reported that 19.9 million people were diagnosed with hay fever. If you’re allergic to pollen or ragweed, check the pollen count before heading outside. Pollen is usually at its worst in the late morning or early afternoon.
Keep your windows shut and stay indoors when you can. Limit your outdoor exposure by hiring someone else to do the yard work, too.
2. Keep It Clean
Pollen can slip inside your home through an open door and adhere to your clothes or furniture. Mold, meanwhile, can build up in your bathroom or laundry room.
Clean every surface using a bleach-based product. Don’t forget the shower curtains and bathroom tiles. Get rid of dust mites on rugs and furniture, too.
3. Ventilate
Use a dehumidifier at home. This will allow you to ventilate humid areas such as the laundry room or basement.
4. Keep Control
Keep up with your allergy medication.
You don’t have to wait until allergy season. Start taking your medication beforehand to prevent an allergy attack.
5. Make a Change
Pollen and dust mites can cling to your carpets and rugs. Consider switching to hardwood floors instead.
You can also purchase hypoallergenic pillows and use plastic covers over your mattress to keep dust mites at bay.
Put a Stop to the Sneezing: 5 Tips for Avoiding an Allergy Attack
Is your skin itching or eyes watering? With these five tips for avoiding an allergy attack, you can stop seasonal allergies in its tracks.
Check out our latest Health articles for more tips and tricks!