It’s that time of year again when everything is sprouting. Just step outside your door and tree pollen will be in your face – it’s all over your lawn, your patio, your car, you name it! And just when you wanted to start spending time outside, your plans are halted by the onslaught of pollen and the pesky allergies that accompany it. Your watery eyes and running nose can have you locked up in your house for the next month or two. Try these tips – for both you and your home – to help keep the suffering to a minimum.
Note: Before getting started, it’s important to know what your allergies are. A trip to the allergist will help solve that mystery. Once you know what ails you, you’ll have a number of options regarding how to treat your allergies – allergy shots, medications, and home remedies. Here are a handful of home remedies that cover a wide swath of allergens.
Get Rid of the Allergens on Your Body
Getting rid of allergens on your body regularly is key to keeping allergy symptoms at bay. Consider using a Neti pot to rinse irritants out of your nasal cavity – learn how to use one here. At the end of the day, change your clothes and wash off to keep allergens from invading your bed and irritating you in your sleep.
Eating specific types of foods can help manage allergy symptoms as well. Anecdotal evidence suggests the consumption of local honey may reduce the symptoms of allergy sufferers. Foods rich in Vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, are natural antihistamines. Omega-3 fatty acids (such as those found in fish and nuts) have anti-inflammatory properties.
In addition to food, there are a wealth of different types of tea remedies that may help alleviate allergy symptoms. Some of the more well-known varieties are green tea, apple cider vinegar tea, tea or tincture made of nettle leaves, peppermint tea, echinacea tea, and tea made of the goldenseal herb. These different types of tea have varying properties – look for the one that best suits your symptoms.
Allergy-Proof your Home in a couple of easy steps!
Removing allergens from your home may seem like an overwhelming task, especially when you’re not feeling your best. Most of the work is up-front, followed by regular maintenance throughout the year. Here are some important steps to keeping your home allergen-free.
- Given that you spend a good portion of time sleeping in your home, start with your bedroom. Put dust mite covers on your mattress, box spring, and pillowcases. Wash your sheets regularly in hot water, and make sure to use synthetic bedding material.
- Remove carpets and drapes, if possible. Allergens thrive in carpet pilling and on curtains. If you can’t remove them, make sure to vacuum carpet weekly using a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner, which can catch incredibly minute particles. Use drapes and curtains that are machine washable and wash them frequently.
- If you haven’t already, upgrade your vacuum cleaner to one using a HEPA filter. HEPA filters can trap particles as small as .3 microns, helping you to catch the tiniest of allergens.
- Make sure exhaust fans (such as bathroom and kitchen fans) vent to the outside, not back into your house. This will help to drive the moisture from your bathroom and kitchen and any allergens out of your house, rather than cycling them back in.
- Remove mold from your shower and tub, and regularly clean and dry to keep mold growth from accumulating. Re-caulk tubs and sinks every few years to prevent mold growth on the walls behind them. Replace bathroom accessories that have accumulated mold – shower curtains, bath mats, etc.
- Change the air filters regularly on your HVAC system. If you continue to suffer, consider taking or look (or hiring a professional) to see if there’s mold growing inside the tubes of your HVAC system.
- Keep humidity low throughout your house to reduce mold growth. Air conditioning systems these days are strong enough to pull a great deal of outside moisture out of the home. If you don’t have one, or don’t know the humidity level in your home, use a hygrometer to determine the level and consider investing in a dehumidifier if necessary.
Once you’ve done all the work to rid your home of allergens, let ABC help keep it that way. We offer regular HVAC inspections to make sure your system is operating at peak efficiency, and we provide filter delivery service to help remind you to change those filters and keep those allergens out. Contact us today for a quote.