 |
|
 |
 Allergies
come in many forms. Hay fever, with its symptoms of itchy, watery eyes,
sneezing, runny, stuffy, or itchy nose, temporary loss of smell, headache,
and tiredness, is the most common allergy. Dark circles under the eyes
("allergic shiners") or postnasal drip may also accompany hay
fever. A child with allergies may snore, wake with a sore throat, breathe
through the mouth, and frequently rub the nose. Allergy symptoms are often
like cold symptoms, but usually last longer. The most common causes of
allergies are particles in the air, such as pollen, house dust mites,
mold or mildew, and animal dander. Allergies seem to run in families.
Parents with hay fever often have children with allergies. Hay fever usually
develops in the early teens, but can occur at any age.
You can often discover the cause of an allergy by noting
when symptoms occur. Symptoms that occur at the same time each year (especially
during spring, early summer, or early fall) are often due to grass, weed,
or tree pollen. Allergies that seem to persist all year long may be due
to dust mites in household dust, mold spores, or animal dander. Animal
allergies are often easy to detect; staying away from the animal clears
up the symptoms.
Prevention
| • |
There is no practical
prevention for hay fever. Avoiding the substance that causes allergy
attacks will help. |
| • |
Consider breastfeeding
your infants. There is some evidence that solely feeding breast milk
during the first six months of life may reduce a child's risk of developing
food allergies. ( "Food Allergies") |
Home Treatment
If you can discover the source of your allergies,
avoiding that substance is the best treatment. Keep a record of your symptoms
and the plants, animals, foods, or chemicals that seem to trigger them.
If your symptoms are seasonal and seem to be related
to pollen:
| • |
Keep your house and car
windows closed. Keep bedroom windows closed at night. |
| • |
Limit the time you spend
outside when pollen counts are high. Dogs and other pets may bring
large amounts of pollen into your house. |
If your symptoms are year-round and seem to be
related to dust:
| • |
Keep the bedroom as dust-free
as possible, since most of your time is spent there. |
| • |
Avoid carpeting, upholstered
furniture, and heavy draperies that collect dust. Vacuuming doesn't
pick up dust mites. |
| • |
Cover your mattress and
box spring with dust-proof cases and wipe them clean weekly. Avoid
wool or down blankets and feather pillows. Wash all bedding weekly
in hot water. |
| • |
Consider using an air
conditioner or air purifier with a special HEPA filter. Rent one before
buying to see if it helps. |
If your symptoms are year-round and worsen during
damp weather, they may be related to mold or mildew:
| • |
Keep the house well ventilated
and dry. Keep the humidity below 50 percent. Use a dehumidifier during
humid weather. |
| • |
Use an air conditioner,
which removes mold spores from the air. Change or clean heating and
cooling system filters regularly. |
| • |
Clean bathroom and kitchen
surfaces often with bleach to reduce mold growth. |
If you are allergic to a pet:
| • |
Keep the animal outside, or at least
out of the bedroom. |
| • |
If your symptoms are severe, the best
solution may be to consider not having a pet. |
General information on avoiding irritants:
| • |
Avoid yard work (raking, mowing), which
stirs up both pollen and mold. If you must do it, wear a mask and
take an antihistamine beforehand. |
| • |
Avoid smoking and inhaling other people's
smoke. |
| • |
Eliminate aerosol sprays, perfumes,
room deodorizers, cleaning products, and other substances that may
add to the problem. |
| • |
Antihistamines and decongestants may
relieve some allergy symptoms. Use caution when taking these drugs.
( "Cold and Allergy Remedies") |
| • |
For more information on allergies,
including immunotherapy, call the Allergy Department or Health Education
Department (795-4531). |
 Return
to Self-Care Tips Index |
|
