Allergies Part III: I JUST want to feel better
A lot of people manage their allergies on their own: there are good herbal and over-the-counter treatments that are often safe and effective. Avoidance is helpful if you can do it, but it is often impossible to avoid your allergens. When the trees are all in bloom and the pollen is falling so fast that it coats your car in the morning? You can’t just live in a plastic bag until it’s over. If you discover that you are allergic to cats but you already live with one (or more), it would have to be pretty severe for you to choose to get rid of your beloved pet instead of trying to find another solution.
There are some things you can do to lower your allergy burden that are pretty easy and don’t cost too much money. Decreasing your overall allergen load can help. If you have a pet you are allergic to and you know the trees are always a problem for you, you are going to have to find other allergens to eliminate. Do you sometimes get stuffy if you eat too much dairy? Then consider not eating or drinking any dairy products during the pollen season. If you haven't got a HEPA air filter, get one and run it in your bedroom all night long or even 24/7 (and maybe don’t let the pet sleep with you, or keep the pet off your bed, or at least off your pillow. Everything helps!) Think about having your furnace ducts cleaned professionally and getting allergen-barrier mattress and pillow covers. Clean your carpets regularly, get the dust out from under your bed, vacuum or even steam clean your mattress to get rid of some allergens. All of these things can decrease the overall allergen load, helping you to fell a bit less miserable.
One thing to keep in mind is that you don’t need to get rid of every allergen in order to feel better. Getting rid of the ones you can eliminate is often good enough to make it so the pets can stay and you can still go outside even when the trees are dropping pollen like it’s their job (oh, wait, it kind of is their job). Sometimes even a simple trick like using a damp cloth to wipe off the pets when they come in from outside can make a big difference, and never underestimate good old hand washing for helping minimize itchy, runny eyes and nose. If you have bad pollen allergies, keeping shoes out of your house can make a huge difference. Sometimes you can do a few small things that really add up to a better allergy season for you.
If you try on your own and are still struggling, it is worth a visit to the doctor to talk about your allergies. There might be things you haven't tried. Maybe the doctor can help you find some allergens you hadn’t identified. Finally, you might benefit from a referral to an allergist. The most important thing to know is that you don't have to just suffer through allergies.