Allergies often have symptoms that negatively affect your everyday living. Your sleep and energy can be impacted, causing you to lack of concentration and experience mood swings. A lot of times, you suffer from excessive sneezing, coughing and a runny nose. If you learn how to cope with these symptoms, you can have better control on how they affect your life.
Most people discover that they have an allergy when they have some types of allergic reaction which has not been experienced in the past, so it is important to recognize the symptoms. Mild allergic symptoms include:
Remember to monitor your symptoms for a couple hours after they begin. Most of the time allergic reactions do not require medical attention and can be managed with OTC medication and home treatments. However, the symptoms can escalate into a serious condition and you should be able to recognize serious symptoms in case they do occur.
Serious symptoms include swelling of tongue or lips, wheezing, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, persistent coughing, upset stomach, vomiting, unconsciousness and chest pains.
When your reaction is mild, you can often take an over-the-counter antihistamine and find relief for your symptoms. There are several types to choose from, common antihistamines include Claritin, Benadryl, Allegra and Zyrtec. Before you start taking any of these medications, speak to your doctor about possible side effects, sensitivities and if they might interact with any other medications you are taking.
When you suffer from itching and hives, you can find relief from over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream at drug stores. It is important to make sure you are not taking any other medications with hydrocortisone, as the medication is absorbed through the skin and you can experience an overdose. Or you can get stronger, prescription strength creams from your doctor if OTC hydrocortisone does not relieve your symptoms. If you do not have immediate access to anti-itch cream, try administering a cold towel on your hives until then.
It is important to see an allergist who can show you how to deal with allergies and what treatments might work for you. You will most likely go through tests to pinpoint what is causing your reaction. You may leave with a prescription for allergy medication or you may get an allergy shot in the doctor’s office.
When you suffer from mold or pollen allergies, you can help manage them by tracking current counts. By doing so you can determine if you need to skip outdoor activities or adjust your allergy medication dosage based on the instructions of your allergist.
There are additional things you can do to help your allergies:
Click here for more information on pollen and mold allergies, as well as medications, diagnosis, medications and immunotherapy for symptoms.
Even if you have allergic reactions to your pet, you can find a way to live together by learning how to deal with allergies as long as your symptoms are not severe. Things you can try include:
While there are several types of food allergies, the most common include allergic reactions to peanuts and nuts, milk and dairy, eggs, and shellfish like crab, shrimp, lobster and crayfish.
Because allergic reactions to certain foods can be very severe, manufacturers are required by law to include all ingredients on packaging, including the possibility of cross contamination. An example would be something like, “This product was processed on equipment that also processes peanuts.” If you are unsure, avoid the food. Other ways on how to deal with allergies to foods include:
For more information on food allergies, click here.