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Spring is upon us and with that comes allergies. Dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and more can cause allergies to go crazy. You can quickly go from normal to a coughing, teary-eyed, sneezing person. Thankfully, there are some options for allergy sufferers to get some relief this spring.
1. Medications
There are many different medications out there that can help allergy sufferers. For mild allergies, things like Benadryl and Claritin may help. However, it is important to note that some allergy medications like Benadryl can make you drowsy or have other side effects. If over-the-counter medications do not work to help treat your allergies, you may want to speak with your doctor. They may be able to prescribe a nasal spray or another allergy medication that works better for your allergies. They can even refer you to an allergist that can help pinpoint where your allergy is.
Remember when taking medications for allergies, prescription or not, you keep an eye out for side effects. If medication does not work, or you do not want to risk the side effects, you can try some natural dust mite allergy treatments to get rid of allergens.
2. Change Air Filters
If you are looking for an allergy treatment, you should make sure that you have a quality air filter in your HVAC system that is changed frequently. Typically, it is a good idea to change your filter every one to three months. However, if you are dealing with allergens, you may want to change your filter every other week or weekly. This can be made easier by purchasing a washable HVAC filter. All you need to do with these filters is take them out once a week and clean them well. You must clean each air filter in your house. Some HVAC systems will have more than one filtering system. You can also consider adding a HEPA filtration system to your existing heating and cooling system for maximum air quality benefits.
3. Change and Clean Bedding
It is a good idea to allergy-proof your pillows and mattresses. You can do this by purchasing allergy covers. There are tons of these types of materials on the market today. They are made to fit every style of bedding. They seal pillows and mattresses to keep allergens like dust mites at bay. You will want to occasionally wash the allergen covers to ensure that they are doing their job well.
4. Weekly Cleaning
Your home should be cleaned frequently if you suffer from allergies. Bed linens should be washed every week. To effectively kill dust mites, the temperature of your water should be 130 degrees. Adding an extra rinse cycle to your laundry can help to ensure that you have no lingering allergens in them. When drying bed linens, make sure that the dryer is on its hottest setting. If you suffer from allergies, it is not recommended that you line dry as pollen can rest on the sheets.
If you have a carpet, you will want to vacuum that carpet frequently. Allergens can hide down on the carpet, which will make your allergy symptoms worse. If you have pets, pet dander can quickly cover the floors. Vacuum at least twice a week to get rid of dust mites and more. It is also a good idea to have your carpets professionally cleaned at least once a year.
If you have wood or laminate floors, you will still want to clean them thoroughly each week to cut down on the allergens in your home. Dog hair, cat hair, dust mites, and other debris can collect on the floor. When someone walks through them, they are once again put in the air where you can breathe them in. Consider sweeping daily, and mopping at least once a week.
Dusting should also be done every week. Dust can settle on furniture, and quickly trigger allergies. Make sure that you are dusting with a good microfiber cloth to trap all the dust in your home.
Keeping your home clean, having a good quality filter, using allergen protectors, and taking medication can help to alleviate all of your allergies this spring. Remember, the cleaner you keep the air in your house, the better the reduction of allergies.
