Allergies are the body’s overreaction to a foreign stimulus that would otherwise be considered harmless. An allergic reaction is the way the body responds to that stimulus. Common allergic reactions can include itching, hives, runny or stuffy nose, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing and difficulty breathing.
Allergies are the sixth-leading cause of long-term illness in the United States. More than 50 million people have allergic reactions each year. One of the easiest ways to prevent an allergic reaction is to do your best to avoid allergens. It’s not always possible to avoid allergens 100% of the time, but the more educated you are on triggers and risk factors, the easier it is to avoid the discomfort that comes with an allergic reaction.
Types of Environmental Allergies
It’s useful to understand common environmental allergy triggers and irritants. If you experience allergic symptoms following exposure to these common allergens, consider scheduling an allergy test to discuss treatment options.
Common allergy triggers include:
- Pollen
- Pets
- Mold
- Dust mites
- Other irritants such as cigarette smoke, strong odors and exhaust
Exposure to these allergens and irritants can take place both indoors and outside. Doing your best to avoid them can result in a reduction in the frequency of your allergy symptoms popping up. Avoidance of allergies can also reduce the intensity of existing symptoms.
How To Avoid Allergens
Consider the following tools and tactics to avoid allergens specific to you:
- Pollen: Often a seasonal allergy and can be produced by trees or grasses, depending on the season.
- Keep windows closed and don’t hang laundry to dry outside during pollen season
- Wash clothes and shower after spending time outside
- Know which pollens you are allergic to and check daily pollen counts through WSBTV—Atlanta
- Dust Mites: Live in fabric and furniture, such as bedding and mattresses. There are always dust mites in your home.
- Place dust-proof covers on mattresses and pillows
- Limit stuffed animals kept in rooms
- Wet-mop floors as opposed to sweeping
- Pets: Animal dander causes allergic reactions to pets.
- If you have a pet you are allergic to, keep them primarily outdoors and/or restrict their access to rooms you spend the most time in
- Bathe the pet once weekly
- Mold: An outdoor element that can be brought inside and thrives in damp areas.
- Clean bathrooms and kitchens regularly
- Keep humidity in your home low, avoid humidifiers
- Irritants: Can include cigarette smoke, perfumes, exhaust and other things
- Avoid tobacco smoke and don’t allow others to smoke in your home or vehicle
- Avoid air fresheners, scented cleaning products and perfumes and sprays
You can also utilize https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/weather/ to view risk levels for allergies, asthma and the flu. Enter your zip code for a specific forecast. The graph shows you the forecast on a scale from 0 to 10 with 10 being the highest. For high forecasts, consider the preventative tools above or avoid going outside.
Avoiding allergens is not a foolproof way to avoid reactions. It takes a partnership with an ENT to create a thorough treatment plan, from allergy identification to potential daily medications.
To learn more about your allergies, schedule an allergy test or discuss allergy treatment options, contact ENT of Georgia North to schedule a consultation.
