Allergy Relief: Strategies for Allergy Sufferers

What a wonderful time of year. Flowers are blooming, the weather is warming up and. so are your allergies! Whether your problem is pollen, dust mites, cat dander or mold, you don't have to passively accept your fate. Allergy season is upon us, but there are several things you can do to actively resist the sneezes, runny noses, watery eyes and all the other symptoms that the season brings:

1. Dust mites. Dust mites are too small to be seen but are the most common cause of year-round allergy and asthma. Dust mites live in mattresses, pillows, carpets, furniture, bedcovers and clothes - anywhere they can feed on dead flakes of human skin. To control and prevent dust mite allergies, wash your sheets and blankets once a week in hot water. Dust mite mattress covers and dust mite pillow cases are essential tools for dust mite allergen control. You also need HEPA vacuum cleaners (the highest rated filtration system) to trap the dust mite allergens inside the bag. HEPA vacuum cleaners are sealed tight and won't allow your dust mites to filter through your vacuum back into the air.

2. Mold. Because mold and mildew release mold spores in the air that can float throughout the house, severe allergic reactions such as watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion and fatigue can occur. Mold, fungus mold, and slime molds are most often found in areas that have high humidity levels - like bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and damp basements. It's important to try and prevent mold and mildew growth, but if it's too late, try to remove the mold by vapor steam cleaning. Dehumidifiers and air purifiers with HEPA filters are crucial devices in the constant battle against mold.

3. Pollen. Pollen, a very fine powder released by trees, weeds and grasses, can cause severe allergic reactions. The weed that causes 75 percent of all hay fever is ragweed, which has numerous species. One ragweed plant is estimated to produce up to 1 billion pollen grains. To fully eliminate pollen, use HEPA air purifiers. HEPA vacuum cleaners and a permanent, washable furnace filter to help clean the air throughout your home.

4. Cat allergies. All the tools we've described above (HEPA vacuums and air
purifiers) will help with cat allergies. But the real problem is that cats produce a protein in their saliva that can trigger allergic reactions. Some breeds, like the Siamese, produce less than others. The ultimate solution - for truly committed cat lovers - is to purchase a specially bred feline from Allerca (allerca.com) that is 99% hypoallergenic. Act fast, because there's a 15 month wait for the $4,000 sniffle-proof kitties.

5. Allergy treatment. Sometimes, all the cleaning, filtering and dehumidifying fail to prevent allergy symptoms. In that case, there's a variety of direct treatments available - some by prescription, some over-the-counter. For general allergy relief, antihistamines usually work best. If they make you drowsy, look for products like Claritin-D or its less expensive (but identical) generic substitutes. For stuffy noses, Afrin (oxymetazoline hydrochloride) and its generics are very effective for short-term relief. If that doesn't help, try nasal sprays with corticosteroids, like Flonase and Rhinocort.

In this time of seasonal sniffles and sneezes, health insurance can be a big priority. If you're shopping for new coverage, let NetQuote help! By filling out one simple online application, you will be instantly connected with insurance agents who can help you get the policy you need.

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