If you’re constantly fighting allergies, you are probably in the market for a remedy that works quickly and efficiently. According to the AAFA, over 50 million people suffer from allergies, many of whom have trouble finding long-lasting relief.
Whether you suffer seasonally or year-round, there is no need to put up with the irritation that comes with an allergy when there are so many treatment options within reach. If you’re past the point of allergic despair and are ready to take control of your allergies, it’s time to figure out which remedy is right for you.
Know Your Allergies
Has a medical professional diagnosed your allergies, or are you self-diagnosed? If you’ve only guessed the cause of your allergies without professional medical confirmation, you must make an appointment with a doctor to perform an allergy test. They will be able to give you details on exactly what is causing your body to react, and to what degree. The only way to confirm your allergies is to have an allergy test done.
Depending on the severity of your allergic reactions as well as your personal preference, you can choose between a blood or scratch allergy test. If you’re queasy when it comes to blood, a scratch test is recommended – where they scratch the surface of your skin and expose it to an allergen, as opposed to taking a blood sample.
While some people are worried about having a major allergic reaction while undergoing a scratch test, they provide real-time results for your doctor, making the diagnosis process very straight-forward.
Monitor Your Diet
Ingesting certain foods may actually make allergy symptoms worse. The crazy thing is, you don’t even have to be allergic to that food in order to react to it.
For example, if your food has been exposed to an environment which contains your allergen, it could spark a reaction. Think: hamburgers being prepared outside during pollen season. If you’re allergic to pollen, you could very well end up reacting to the hamburger. Other ways you could react from a food that you aren’t allergic to include the handling, storage, and cultivation of food.
If you know you’re not allergic to a certain food, yet you react after consuming it, it’s best to consult your doctor. It might be time for a change of environment.
Switch Up Your Lifestyle
Sometimes changing a few details in your everyday routine can reduce your allergies significantly. For example, if you experience symptoms during your daily jog, switch up your running route and the time of day you exercise. Compare the results from your old route to your new one, and if you discover you’re fine jogging in a different environment, it’s very likely that your old environment contained allergens.
On the other hand, switching up your lifestyle doesn’t guarantee that you’ll necessarily eliminate allergic reactions from your life. You may still rely on prescription meds or over-the-counter remedies, like eye drops or antihistamines.
Eliminate Other Conditions
There are plenty of symptoms that are commonly mistaken for allergy symptoms, but which are actually improperly judged signs of other medical ailments.
Common symptoms that people mistake for allergies include:
– Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Watery eyes
- Stuffy nose
- Itchy skin
- Rashes that dry out your skin
Shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing are all common allergy symptoms – but can also be linked to either asthma and chronic bronchitis. These symptoms can also arise due to digestive problems, like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
While it sounds backwards, water eyes can actually be a sign that your eye area needs more moisture. If you’re experiencing itchy skin, or have noticed dry patches of skin that are almost flaky, you should consult a dermatologist – it’s likely a skin condition, not an allergy.
Have a stuffy nose? You might be quick to chalk that up to allergy-induced sniffles, but it’s possible that it’s actually caused by a deviated septum, or some kind of infection.
If you’re unsure about a symptom, it’s always best to consult your doctor. They will be able to give you a definitive answer, so your mind can rest easy and stop worrying.
Relief Is In Your Hands
While there are plenty of allergy remedies on the market, every allergic case is different. Don’t be discouraged if a standard remedy doesn’t work for you. Book another appointment with your doctor to discuss your options if certain allergy relief medications are not working for you.
You deserve to live the healthiest life you possibly can, and that starts with staying informed. Research online before your appointment to educate yourself on your condition, and feel free to dig up information on trial allergy medication to present to your doctor. Taking matters into your own hands to gain control over your allergies is entirely possible, and the sense of liberty that comes with being allergy symptom-free is priceless.
