With ragweed season beginning to take effect across the United States, many people may start to notice that they are dealing with annoying physical symptoms such as itchy eyes, a sore throat and sneezing, and find themselves wondering what they can do to stop these negative reactions.
"During the summer, people experience the lowest incidence of allergies and asthma so they feel better and stop taking their allergy medications. But they should start taking them again in early September to prevent symptoms before they start," Dr. David Rosenstreich, a New York-based allergy specialist told DNA India. "If allergy sufferers make the mistake of waiting until after their symptoms are in full swing, it's much harder to stop the allergic reaction than to prevent it from even beginning,"
In addition to being proactive about taking medications, there are a number of ways that allergy sufferers can make their homes more comfortable during the fall, when outdoor allergens like ragweed and indoor irritants such as pet dander, mold and dust mites are particularly strong. Here are a few suggestions for the bedroom:
Keep out cats and dogs – It may be difficult to get used to going to sleep without your furry friend at your feet, but making your bedroom an animal-free area will prevent pet dander from exacerbating your symptoms.
Remove area rugs – Rugs have the tendency to collect dust over time, so consider rolling them up and storing them in a closet while your allergies are at their worst.
Use allergenic bedding – Hypoallergenic mattresses, sheets and pillowcases are designed to keep allergens at a minimum.
