An allergic reaction happens when your immune system overreacts to something it comes in contact with and deems harmful, even though it’s not. Most commonly, airborne allergies can be caused by dust, pollen, pet dander and mold. Some of the reactions can be severe – especially if you have asthma or are already easily susceptible to ear or lung infections.

Some people have allergies severe enough it requires prescription medication or shots to manage the symptoms. Most of us try to muddle through with at home remedies or over the counter medication to get us through the worst of it.

Air Purifiers

For those who suffer from allergies, one of the most effective ways to improve indoor air quality is by investing in an air purifier. These devices are designed to capture airborne allergens, such as dust, pollen, pet dander, and mold spores, which are common irritants for allergy sufferers. Air purifiers work by pulling in the air from your surroundings, filtering out these harmful particles, and releasing cleaner air back into the room, creating a healthier breathing environment.

When choosing an air purifier, it’s crucial to select one with a HEPA filter. HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are designed to trap 99.97% of airborne particles that are as small as 0.3 microns, which include many of the allergens that trigger reactions. This makes them highly effective in reducing the presence of irritants in your home. You can also look for air purifiers with additional features such as activated carbon filters, which can help remove odors, and UV-C lights, which are capable of killing bacteria and viruses.

The placement of your air purifier is also important. It’s best to place it in the room where you spend the most time, such as the bedroom or living room. For optimal performance, keep the doors and windows closed to prevent outside allergens from entering the room. If you’re concerned about allergens in multiple areas of your home, consider investing in multiple smaller units or a larger system that can cover multiple rooms.

Air purifiers not only help reduce allergens but can also improve overall indoor air quality by removing other pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by household cleaning products and furniture. This contributes to a cleaner, healthier environment, especially for those who are sensitive to chemicals, as well as for those with respiratory conditions like asthma.

While air purifiers are a valuable tool for managing allergies, they should be used in conjunction with other allergy-relief methods like regular cleaning, controlling indoor humidity, and using allergy-friendly bedding. Regular maintenance, including cleaning or replacing the filters as recommended by the manufacturer, is essential to keep the air purifier functioning effectively.

Reduce Your triggers

Allergies can be caused by lots of things. It’s important to know what causes yours. Most often it can be pollen or things that are in bloom and growing outside. So, it’s necessary to do what you can to reduce your exposure to things that can trigger your allergies.

• Stay inside on dry and windy days. Rain helps clear the pollen out of the air, so the best time to go outside for fresh air is after a good rain.
• Leave the lawn care to someone else. If you can afford to pay someone to mow your yard, pull your weeds and take care of other lawn care upkeep, do so. It will help keep your symptoms at bay.
• Change your clothes. If you’ve been outside, change your clothes when you come inside. Allergens stick to clothing, so taking them off and washing them can cut down on your reaction. Rinse your face off and wash your hands too, to rid your skin of anything that might have stuck to you. And don’t wear your shoes inside. Leave them at the door or in the garage. You’d be surprised what you can track in on your shoes.
• Keep an eye on the pollen count. You can check your local weather on the TV, radio or internet for area information. If the pollen count is expected to be high for that particular day, get ahead of your symptoms by taking your allergy medication before they start.

Shut the windows

Fresh air is always a good thing, but if it’s a day when the pollen count is high, you’ll definitely want to keep the windows closed and stay indoors. Pollen counts are generally highest in the morning, so you’ll want to avoid going out or opening the windows at that time of day.

Drink up

If your nose is runny or stuffed up, make sure you are getting plenty of fluids. Taking in a good amount of water, juice or any other nonalcoholic drink can give you relief by thinning the mucus in your nasal passages. The steam from warm fluids like soup, broth or tea can add an extra benefit.

Avoid cigarette smoke

Secondhand smoke is dangerous in general. But if you’re an allergy sufferer it can make your symptoms worse. It’s best to avoid restaurants, bars or hotel rooms that allow smoking. And if you can, stay away from people who light up.

Physical and Natural Remedies for Allergy Relief

Rinse it out

It may seem uncomfortable or even gross, but rinsing out your nasal passages with saline solution can help relieve your stuffy nose. It can flush out allergens and mucus. Kits to do just that can be bought over the counter at pharmacies and other big box retailers. The most effective ones usually come with a squeeze bottle or a small container called a neti pot. Neti pots have a spout that helps rinse out your nasal passage. Just follow the directions on the packaging for optimal results.

The Bottom Line

Allergies are no fun, and depending on the part of the country you live in they can be a year-long problem, instead of just a seasonal nuisance. There’s no one treatment or single action you can take to get rid of them, but there are things you can do to reduce your symptoms and feel better quicker. Much of it can be trial and error, but once you find something that works, it’s best to stick with it so you can enjoy the great outdoors, and life in general, once again.