You are getting all teary-eyed, your eyes are turning red, and you just can’t seem to catch your breath – oh no, you know what this means. It’s allergy season! While the symptoms sound pretty romantic, there isn’t anything lovely about seasonal allergies.
While there is no escaping it (just like love, sigh…), you definitely can learn how to manage your allergy better.
Use this guide to get to know more about allergies, how to reduce allergens, and tips on cleaning preparation for allergy season.
Cleveland Clinic defines it as ‘your body’s reaction to a substance it views as a harmful “invader.” When you come in contact with these harmful invaders (also called triggers), you get an allergic reaction.
This reaction causes your body to produce the IgE protein, an antibody that will find and remove the harmful invaders. In the process of fighting these invaders, a chemical called histamine is released into the blood, and this is what causes your allergy symptoms.
Your symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening and vary from person to person. Some people have to deal with this condition every day while some have symptoms only during allergy season (which we’ll be discussing more later).
Another factor is how you are exposed to triggers – is it through food, medicine, an insect sting, the air, or your skin?
Some allergy symptoms include itching in different parts of the body, getting rashes, developing hives, sneezing, having difficulty breathing, swelling, and the most severe one which is anaphylaxis.
If you don’t know what caused your allergy, then it is best to see a doctor, preferably one who can help determine what you are allergic to and prescribe the best treatment.
If you experience mild symptoms of a known allergy, you can take over-the-counter medications like antihistamines. However, if you or someone you know is having a severe allergic reaction, seek emergency medical assistance right away.
While there is no cure for allergies, you can avoid allergic reactions by preventing exposure to triggers, otherwise known as allergens.
These are the harmful invaders mentioned before. You can come in contact with allergens almost anywhere, even in your own home.
Some of the most common allergens in homes are:
Interestingly, these foreign substances don’t cause a reaction in most people. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t many people who suffer from allergies.
A 2017 Statistics Canada report on Chronic Conditions shows that 27.3% of Canadians aged 12 and older were diagnosed with having allergies after undergoing allergy tests. That is about 8.4 million people.
If you happen to be one of them, you want to avoid or minimize your exposure to allergens in your home by doing the following:
There are times in the year when your body tends to overreact to allergens in the environment, and these periods are called allergy season.
In temperate countries like Canada and the United States, where you get four seasons, there are certain months when plants pollinate. This is usually during spring, summer, or fall.
Some people have worse symptoms during a certain season because they could be allergic to the pollen of the plants pollinating during that particular time.
In Canada, for example, tree pollen is the main culprit in April and May, while it is grass pollen in June and July, and then it is ragweed from around August to October.
The most common symptoms of seasonal allergies are coughing, sneezing, watery and itchy eyes, and a stuffy or runny nose.
Whether your symptoms happen only during allergy season or at any time of the year, one of the best ways to minimize or avoid an allergic reaction is to allergy-proof your home.
6. Avoid upholstered furniture and opt for wood, leather, or metal (easier to clean).
7. Clean/Wash your curtains or shades and avoid horizontal blinds because they collect more dust.
8. Opt for double-paned windows, and don’t open your windows during allergy season. Clean the frames, sills, and panes.
9. Minimize clutter and remove items that collect dust (stuffed animals, books, ornaments, etcetera).
10.Pet lovers can either build a comfortable outdoor shelter for their furry buddies or designate no-pet zones in the house.
11. Develop a weekly cleaning routine. Clean surfaces with a damp cloth, mop floors with a damp mop, and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to clean your carpet. To deep clean your carpets, we have a carpet cleaning specialist and state-of-the-art equipment to get the job done, so give us a call.
Experts recommend the best way to avoid triggering an allergic reaction and worsening any symptoms is to let someone without allergies do the cleaning. Hire professional cleaners who are experienced in dealing with allergens and who use natural non-toxic cleaning solutions.
Get the best cleaning service in your area with Life Maid Easy. Check out our website for more details, including available franchise opportunities, or talk to us at 1 833 247 MAID (6243).
