Spring is here, which means allergy sufferers in Lake Zurich, Illinois, must start to protect their immune systems from various allergens that travel through the air around this time of the year. While many people will experience the usual symptoms, like a minor cough, a runny nose or itchy eyes, some will have to endure rashes, low blood pressure and breathing trouble. In some cases, spring allergies can even cause death! To help you survive allergy season this spring, follow these five tips.
Check the Allergy Reports Daily and Adjust Your Schedule Accordingly
If you suffer from extreme allergies, then it’s in your best interest to check the local pollen report daily and to plan your day accordingly. If levels are high, stay indoors as much as possible. If you do have to go outdoors, wear a mask. After returning home, take your clothes and shoes off immediately to avoid dragging allergens inside.
Take Advantage of the Available Over-the-Counter Medications
As with most medications, you might have to go through some trial and error before you find the one that works best. If you have a runny nose, itchy eyes or are constantly sneezing, try any one of these antihistamines. Remember that these medications can make you drowsy, so use caution when taking them.
- Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
- Desloratadine (Clarinex)
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- Fexofenadine (Allegra)
- Loratadine (Alavert, Claritin)
If you’re feeling stuffy and need a get-fix solution, one of these decongestants can help.
- Pseudoephedrine (Afrin, Sudafed)
- Triprolidine/pseudoephedrine (Actifed)
For a long-term solution, consult your physician about possibly receiving an allergy shot.
Try Using Salt Water as an Alternative to Allergy Drugs
If you’d like to avoid medication altogether because it makes you feel groggy and foggy, consider a saline nasal rinse as an alternative. You can do this with either a neti pot or a spray. This will help clear allergens from your nasal membranes and minimize your symptoms.
Invest in Professional Indoor Air Quality Testing
Since you spend a lot of your time at home, it’s important that your indoor environment doesn’t harm your health more than the outdoor one already does. Air purification is the key to a happy and healthy home. A professional indoor air quality specialist can test your home to see how pure the air is and put a plan in place to ensure your home is free from allergens that can be detrimental to your respiratory health.
For more information about how air purification can help you breathe easier and survive the upcoming allergy season, consider these tips to keep your IAQ fresh or contact us at (847) 719-8442.
