Controlling Fall Allergies---5 Steps Towards Allergy Relief

If you walked outside this morning and noticed a change in the light, but you also have a slightly sore throat and you're congested; your body could be signaling the arrival of weed pollen that is so prevalent in the fall. Rather than retreating back into your home until the season is over, here are 5 ways you stay in control of your life despite fall allergies.

Stay On Top Of The Situation---Check your local pollen count each morning via internet, local news, or your local paper. Make it a habit to know what the pollen count is predicted to be and plan outdoor activities accordingly.

After countless studies, still the best, most non-invasive and proactive way to manage allergies is to avoid the trigger. And with seasonal airborne triggers such as pollen, it can be tricky, but it can be done with careful planning.

Let Others Help---When those first grains of pollen go airborne, get out of their way and avoid them as much as you can. Turn over mowing, weeding, and other outside activities to others, particularly on dry, windy days when ragweed and other pollen counts are sure to be higher.

Say Yes To Medicine That Will Help---Depending on how severe your allergies are, you may be able to find relief with over-the-counter medication. Your neighborhood pharmacist is an excellent resource for suggesting medications that might help. However, most of these medicines treat the symptoms rather than the body's over reaction to the irritant.

Get Professional Help----Ultimately, if your allergies are severe enough and are not well controlled with the use of non-prescription meds you will need to seek the professional help of an allergist.

There are well over 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies, and chances are you know more of them than you think. Talk with friends and family to get the name of a doctor that they recommend. Word of mouth referrals are often the best and most reliable way to find a good doctor.

Filter Your Indoor Air---Most people who suffer with allergies are sensitive to a number of allergens. Common indoor allergens include household dust, dust mites, mold and mildew spores, and pet dander.

Adding a seasonal allergen to the ever-present indoor irritants often creates just enough more aggravation for your body so that it starts to react with symptoms.

By continually filtering the air with a HEPA or high efficiency particle arresting filter, you can keep allergen levels low even with the additional weed pollen that will make its way indoors through doors and windows, and on clothes, hair, packages and pets.

It's important to use a cleaner that can work 24 hours every day. That will insure that pollutant levels never reach a level that would cause flare-ups. Not only is this an important factor physically, but emotionally it will let you relax because you feel safe in your own home.