New to Allergies?

You may have dealt with allergies your whole life.  But if you are new to the allergy realm, you may not really know what is happening to you.  Why is your nose constantly running and why are your eyes constantly red and tearing?  It would be very beneficial to you to visit an allergy specialist.

Finding out exactly what you are allergic to can really be your best defense against allergies.  The best way to keep yourself symptom-free is to avoid the things that cause the symptoms.  Once you find out your allergies, it is much easier to stay away from them.  If you are allergic to cats, avoid cats.  If you are allergic to peanuts, don’t eat them.  

But in the world today, just avoiding things may not be possible.  It is easy to avoid cats when you are home, but what if you are staying with a family member who has a cat?  That’s where the good advice of your allergy specialist can come in.  He may be able to offer you some tips on how to reduce your symptoms during your stay.

Some of the things he may suggest are saline rinses, medication and washing up more frequently than you normally would.  Saline rinses are basically just a mixture of water, salt and baking soda that are poured into the nasal passages to help clear out extra mucous and open the airways a little bit.  They can really help clean out the allergens that may have been breathed in.  

Usually over the counter medication can help keep you breathing a little easier, but definitely talk to your doctor before taking anything.  Some allergy medicines can make you drowsy or a little “disconnected” feeling.  It’s important to make sure you know how you will react before taking anything.

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