Indoor Allergy Relief: Keeping Allergens Out
While medicines can provide some allergy relief for symptoms, you can address the source of the problem by making a few lifestyle changes. Here are some simple tricks that will help you minimize your encounters with allergens during their peak season.

• Stay indoors when pollen counts are very high. Peaks in pollen count can occur at different times of day, or on windy, dry days. Keep an eye on the local weather, and you can find out when the pollen counts will spike.
• Although it may be tempting to open the windows and doors in cool spring weather, make sure to keep them closed and keep allergens outdoors. Once they enter your home, it takes more extensive measures to get them out.
• Clean the air filters in your AC and any other places that might collect pollen. When you turn on a fan or the air conditioning, moving air can stir up these settled pollen spores and trigger your allergies indoors.
• Wash your hair and change clothes after spending time outside, especially after garden or yard work. You should also wash your linens as often as possible to keep allergens at bay.
• Vacuum at least twice a week. Corners and carpets accumulate pollen and dust that, when stirred up, can trigger allergies indoors.
• Don’t run your attic fan. The fan draws in pollen-filled air and circulates it throughout your home.

By introducing these habits into your lifestyle, you can lessen the severity of your spring allergies.

We’ve discussed how mold is kept somewhat at bay by the winter, and we’ve looked at how mold can grow anywhere, even a shower head.

But it’s important to understand the basics of mold and mold spores, such as where it grows and why. The following list are five things that everyone should know about mold, especially those who suffer from allergies.

The problem is, though you can keep your home a safe haven through the use of central vacuums and HEPA air filters, you still have to venture into the outside world. And when that happens, the allergens can find their ways into your system.

Unfortunately, anti-histamines have been linked to Alzheimer’s disease, so finding other ways to relieve allergic reactions might be a good move.
There are more than a few ways to relieve these reactions, including a time-tested and somewhat surprising method: acupuncture.

Though often scoffed at in America, acupuncture is actually covered by most major health insurances, including Blue Cross. As a proven method of medicine, it is becoming increasingly more popular in the United States.

Acupuncture is popularly defined, according to Wikipedia, as “the procedure of inserting and manipulating filiform needles into various points on the body to relieve pain or for therapeutic purposes.”

And it recently has been proven to relieve allergies. Quickly. In fact, according to Dr. Patrick J. LaRiccia, “There is often a quick response. Often patients get some relief during the first visit while lying on the exam table with their acupuncture needles in place.”

“A variety of medication options can provide some relief from itchy eyes, runny nose, sinus headaches, scratchy throat, coughing, skin rash, swelling of the lips and tongue, abdominal cramps, ear popping and fatigue caused by allergies. However, these are no cure, so many patients turn to complementary and alternative health care,” according to an EmpowerHER article on using acupuncture to treat allergies. “Acupuncture appeals to many Western patients, as well as Asians, because of its excellent safety and tolerability. The cost is reasonable as well. The English language medical literature is beginning to report positive results for acupuncture in treating allergies.”

As you can see, there are many points of entry for acupuncture needles. And it should be noted that this chart is extremely basic. There are this many points in the foot alone.

Acupuncture has been used to treat things such as stress and simple pain for centuries. It comes as little surprise that licensed physicians have proven it to provide allergy relief.

While we aren’t claiming it will help your allergies and we still think you need to have things like a central vacuum and HEPA filters throughout the house, it can’t hurt to give it a try. Especially if it is covered by your health insurance. And, one way or another, it certainly is a relaxing experience.

And now, in the deepest of winter, it is doing its job well (assuming you are somewhere that has snow, though the cold in general has the following effects to some degree). Mold and mold spores, some of the worst allergens to attack the system, are kept at bay by the falling temperatures and blanketing of snow. During winter, these are severely limited by the cold and snow destroying them.

Unfortunately, snow melts. And when it does, plants (and, with them, mold spores) begin to thaw under the warm sun. Thus the sudden proliferation of mold and mold spores that seem to crawl deep into everyone’s systems and start the old wheezin’ and sneezin’ that becomes so prevalent in our best months.

So why announce all this bad news? Well, ignorance might be bliss, but there are a few steps that can be taken to prevent the horrors of Springtime allergies and help you enjoy every lasting minute.

One important thing to do, said Dr. S. Scott Nicholas of Twin Cities-based Eisenstadt Allergy & Asthma, is “start taking antihistamines at the allergy season’s onset, as long as two weeks before pollen really starts flying. That increases the medication’s effectiveness throughout,” according to the Star Tribune.

Of course, there are a few other steps and allergy control products that can keep you from popping antihistamines which have been linked to Alzheimer’s in the eldery.

According to “Allergy Relief 101,” a few great steps in the search for allergy relief are as follows:

• Increase the thermostat in your basement
• Remove any carpet from your bathroom and install a bathroom fan. Clean your bathroom regularly to keep the mildew levels down.
• Reduce the humidity in your house and ensure your air conditioner has a HEPA filter.
• Increase the drainage in your garden.
• When mold counts are high keep indoors. To avoid unnecessary exposure to spores wear a face mask when gardening or mowing the lawns in summer.

It is important, one way or another, to be aware that when the snow melts, the mold starts. And with the sun powering the mold, be cautious so you can enjoy the shimmery feel of Springtime and not waste it indoors, sneezing away.

According to the Erie Times-News, diphenhydramine can be a dangerous drug, especially for the elderly.

Diphenhydramine, marketed under the name Benadryl, is an anti-histamine that is found in most over-the-counter allergy medications. The drug, found in more than 80 anti-allergy and/or sleep aid products, has been found to cause delirium in the elderly and is rumored to be linked to early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, though more research is needed to find the validity of the latter hypothesis.

According to the Erie Times-News, “Older adults are strongly advised to check with their primary-care physicians before taking products containing the ingredient, as delirium and reduced cognitive skills have been reported.”

The drug is not necessarily considered unsafe. Like all drugs, it simply carries a risk with it, and a registered physician can easily offer advice on how to use it. But it is always better to avoid using a drug if possible.

Allergy relief can easily be offered through natural allergy control products, which can help you avoid the issue of diphenhydramine altogether.

Anti-histamines are used primary to reduce inflammation caused by allergens such as mold spores and dust mites. The best step, obviously, is to avoid the inflammation in the first place. Especially now that, as we reported, allergenic inflammation has been linked to acute sinusitis.

One great way to reduce allergens reaching you is dust mite encasements. This is even more important come wintertime, as dust mites tend to migrate indoors even more in the winter.

And a central vacuum system is another great way to keep the house free from everything that might make your life just a little bit harder.

The most important thing to remember when seeking allergy relief is to use these natural allergy control products in a very systematic and consistent way. If you have a nice vacuum or dehumidifier but never actually use them–or use them once a month then store them back in the closet–then you’re not going to experience much in the way of allergy relief, and you’ll be flooding your system with diphenhydramine soon enough.

So make sure you keep all of your products in fine condition, and be on the offensive against allergens! We know it can be a pain, but this is a battle you can easily win. So make sure you fight it with all you got, and you’ll be fine.

And remember, the elderly should check with a physician before consuming diphenhydramine.

During the year, especially during the winter months, allergens such as mold spore and dust mites can mount up in the house. It can create allergy problems. In the past these problems were often seen as either allergies or sinusitis, and only one would be treated at a time. But recently a study shows that allergens actually worsen sinusitis. Not over time either, but the effects can be seen immediately.

This is a picture of the sinus cavities:

Sinus Cavities are Often Inflamed by Allergies and Sinusitis

With Sinusitis, these cavities become irritated and inflamed.

With allergies, these cavities become irritated and inflamed.

For years, there was debate over which was causing the symptoms, and often the diagnosis would be either incomplete or confused. But now, it has been proven that allergens have a direct effect on sinusitis, so much so that it actually triggers the symptoms of sinusitis.

It is important to keep allergens out of the house and the air, especially if you have sinusitis and especially during the winter, when those allergens build up.

As simple as it might sound, keeping your home free of allergens can be as easy as keeping it clean (which means cleaning even when it already seems clean). Using a good HEPA vacuum cleaner to keep the apartment clean, as well as following these simple tips to make vacuuming easier.

–Take your shoes off before entering your home (so you won’t track in allergens)
–Remove coats before entering your home (so you won’t track in allergens)
–Keep the house well-dusted and clean
–Have a HEPA air purifier
–Keep outdoor pets outdoors

But, in the end, vigilance is required! Keep vacuuming and using other allergy control products to keep the house free of allergens, and your sinusitis will find itself minimizing a great deal.

We already discussed allergy control products and tips for the holidays. Here is a video that further expounds upon that.

Nonetheless, there are some important things to realize about allergies.

Symptoms

Most people probably realize when they have allergies, but it’s good to make sure you know all the symptoms.
–clear runny or stuffy nose

–itchy, watery and/or red eyes

–sneezing

–scratchy throat

–cough

–wheezing

–chest tightness

Another Allergen Hideout
Since allergens tend to have physical form, the clear reaction to beat them would be taking a shower and getting them off your skin. Well, this article by The East Hampton Star uncovers the fact that the shower head can actually be a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. So, every time you shower, instead of cleansing yourself, you could very well be getting a nice little covering of mold. It’s important to keep the shower head clean in the same way you would more obvious objects such as sinks, bathroom floors and toilets. Since it gets coated in water fairly constantly and is usually not dried, it make sense that it would get pretty moldy. Keep it clean, and you won’t have a problem.

The Dangers of Mold
At first glance, mold may not seem like the most dangerous thing. No one wants to have a runny nose, but it’s certainly something we can deal with, right? Well, as it turns out, mold produces certain toxins that could be very dangerous for humans. According to The East Hampton Star, “Mold mycotoxins have been associated with chronic cough, headaches, skin problems, joint aches and pains, subtle neurological symptoms, memory loss, mood swings, and even cancer.”

But this problem isn’t just seen in studies. A student at the University of Cincinnati is blaming her school’s poor upkeep of dormitories for her recent diagnosis of asthma, according to this article in the school’s student newspaper, The News Record. A build-up of mold in the shower stalls allegedly caused her to get fairly bad asthma symptoms, a claim backed by her doctor.

So make sure you keep your home clear of allergens. There is more at stake than a runny nose, and these mold spores are hanging out in places you might not realize. Constant vigilance is the best option!

AllerAir Allergy Relief Products

Further more, these particular aversions can severely interfere with your quality of life, and can sometimes lead to more severe medical issues if left unchecked. Polluted air is increasingly being linked to asthma, sinus disturbance, and multiple chemical sensitivity. Because of this growing problem, Douglas Allergy Relief source researches and stocks only the finest quality allergy relief products on the market.

Among these brands is AllerAir Industries, a manufacturing company based in the U.S. and Canada. AllerAir specializes in advanced protection air purifiers. These purifiers feature carbon beds made up of actual granular sized carbon pieces, and feature the deepest carbon beds on the market. The chemical, carbon, functions by absorbing gases, odors, and chemicals, which is done more effectively with granular pieces rather than the more commonly produced crushed carbon filters.

AllerAir filters also feature pre-filters, increasing the level of filtration, as well as metal casing and powder-coated paint to prevent additional gas distribution. AllerAir is a company that believes having this available technology, is a responsibility to provide the cleanest air possible. With such a strong mission, and product, Douglas invests in the outstanding allergy control products of the AllerAir company. If you struggle with airborne allergies, research an investment in AllerAir products!

Allergy Bedding Image via HGTV

Allergy bedding is a good option for those:

• with allergies to dust mites, animal dander or down
• whose allergy symptoms are at their peak in the morning
• who experience asthma attacks in the middle of the night
• who value a clean sleeping environment

What are the benefits of hypoallergenic bedding?

Hypoallergenic bedding is specifically designed to prevent dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mold spores and other allergens from infesting your bed by acting a physical barrier between where dust mites live and their food source.

Allergy Causing Pollen via Hepafilters.com

Allergies symptoms are caused by mites’ waste particles and decomposed body parts. Creating a barrier between the person with allergies and the dust mites is the best way to eliminate dust mites is to cut off their food source. Allergy bedding provides that the barrier that controls the dust mites that number between one and ten million in the average bed.

A study regarding allergy control products by Johns Hopkins University found that mite population and allergen levels decreased by 90 percent or more within a month of using mattress and pillow covers and treating bedding. Covering mattresses, box springs, pillows and comforters is an inexpensive option to create a comfortable and allergy-free bedroom. Allersoft Cotton Dust Mite & Allergy Encasements protect mattresses and bedding with tightly woven fabric that feels like cotton bedding, but blocks mites and dander.

50 to 80 percent of asthmatics experience reaction to dust mites. To eliminate dust mite presence in pillows, switching from down to synthetic fiber pillows is often recommended. A luxurious alternative for an allergen-free bedroom is the Ogallala Harvester Hypodown collection, which is a blend of naturally hypoallergenic Syriaca clusters and clean Hungarian goose down. This line of allergy control pillows will provide allergy-free sleep without the sacrifice of comfort.

Can I protect my family from dust mites and have comfortable bedding?

Natural fibers such as cotton and down are often associated with comfortable sleep, but when eliminating dust is a top priority, it is often recommended to switch entirely to synthetic fibers, especially for the 50 to 80 percent of asthmatics who experience a reaction to dust mites. Fortunately for those with allergies to dust mites and dander, there are luxurious alternatives to switching entirely to synthetic fiber pillows.

The first, and most effective place to remove allergens is from the pillows. The Ogallala Harvester Hypodown pillow collection, features a blend of naturally hypoallergenic Syriaca clusters and clean Hungarian goose down. This line of allergy control pillows will provide allergy-free sleep without the sacrifice of comfort.

Dust Mite Image via Wikipedia

According to the Mayo Clinic, the added comfort of a traditional mattress pad can lend itself as a home to bedroom pests, especially the dust mite, which eats skin cells shed by people, and thrives in warm, humid environments. The dry, porous wool used in Ogallala Harvester Classic Wool Mattress Enhancers is naturally resistant to the colonization of dust mites. Maintaining the comfort of this hypoallergenic bedding mattress enhancer is a cotton fabric prevents to prevent wool from irritating skin.

Nightly wear and tear can deteriorate pillows prematurely. Ogallala Pillow Protectors, although not a certified dust mite encasement, will help protect pillows and preserve comfort for years to come.

But these allergens can build up in some rather unexpected places and for some rather unexpected reasons, and the necessary allergy relief products and plan of attack is important. Be careful of storms, which can cause mold spore counts to centuple (before the storm passes) and seriously stirs up pollen particles in the grass (remaining in the air long after the storm is gone).

After a storm, your clothes and shoes can get covered in mold spores and pollen particles, leaving some serious allergy relief to be tackled. Don’t worry. We are here to help!

If the storm blows particles into the house, using a steam vapor cleaner can leave the house void of contaminants and chemicals. Also, using Allersearch’s ADS Anti-Allergen Dust Spray can “neutralize allergens from plant and grass pollens” for up to ninety days.

Another post-storm allergy control tool, if you have any rugs or carpet, is Allersearch’s All-Rug Carpet Shampoo, which is best used for allergy relief in conjunction with a vapor cleaner.

Keep on your toes, stay vigilant, and with the right allergy control products, you can have an easy relief from allergens, storm or no storm!