Do You Have Allergies? - 7 Important Things To Know About Getting Relief

If you suffer with allergies, it's important to know how to manage them since there is no cure. Here are 7 pieces of information that will help you minimize the effect allergies have in your life.

Acupuncture Is An Option---This is fairly new on the radar for allergies in the Western world, but this tradition has been practiced in Asia and other Eastern civilizations for thousands of years.

Incredibly small needles are used to puncture the skin at various control centers of the body to stimulate lung, liver and other organs to improve health and desensitize the body's reaction to triggers that often induce symptoms and flare-ups.

This is not a quick fix (not very much in life is), and has not been proven to work for everyone. But it's certainly worth looking into because some insurance companies are now willing to cover the cost.

Consult your physician first. Do a little research online about anyone you are considering for the procedure. And make sure that the acupuncturist is certified by your state board of health.

Allergy Shots Can Work---This is a process where you are injected with tiny amounts of allergens. If your skin reacts it's a pretty good indication that more of that allergen would cause discomfort and symptoms.

Once your triggers are identified, those allergens are injected in increasing doses over a long period of time in hopes of decreasing your body's reaction to them. This takes years sometimes, but the results can be satisfying, particularly if your allergies are severe.

Avoiding The Trigger Still Works---This is still the most effective yet non-invasive way to deal with this condition. Stay informed about the air quality in your area. Stay indoors during peak seasons, and during the times of day that the spore count is heaviest---usually early morning and late evenings.

Medicine Is Available---Fortunately, there are numerous medications available, both over-the-counter and prescribed, that can alleviate acute symptoms. These occur once histamines have been released into the body and often present as sneezing, coughing, and watering eyes. All of these are an attempt by the body to flush what it perceives as a harmful substance from the body.

There is also medication that works to minimize the body's reaction to allergens by reducing the production of histamines. A board-certified allergist should become one of your best friends.

Masks Are Affordable---Sometimes it's the wrong time to be outdoors, but you either have to go or want to go. When those days happen, wear a mask that can help filter the particulates.

These are fairly inexpensive and are available in a wide variety of colors and a price range that varies greatly depending on features. You can also find them in many drug stores.

Lifestyle---Anything you can do to strengthen the immune system will help. Eating foods that are high in antioxidants and magnesium have proven to be beneficial to many. At least 8 ounces of yogurt daily has been shown to help reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms for some.

Exercising daily and/or being active as well as getting the proper amount of sleep can drastically improve not only physical well-being but your emotional health as well.

Filtration Is Essential---Controlling the number of airborne irritants in your air can only be done with continuous filtration. It is most effectively done with a high efficiency particle arresting (HEPA) filter that can remove particles as small as.3 microns in size.

This means it is able to continually eliminate pollen, and mildew spores as well as indoor triggers such as dust, dust mites, and pet dander.