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Allergies!
Pollen count:
90827439872980347098250986239857298479 per cubic millimeter.
The count above is
not true but it seems like that sometimes huh? I recent days I have
been asked many questions about allergies by friends and family. I
thought it would be a good idea to just post some information here as
opposed to telling everyone all that I know all the time. I know I
know, telling someone all that I know should only take 2 minutes and
building this web page has taken more than an hour.
So I hope you get
some good advice here about how to deal with your new- or old-time enemy.
Almost
forgot...there will be a nice banner at the top of this page soon. Sorry
for the lack of eye-candy.
Where to go.
Pollen .com
Pollen.com is
probably the best source for information about allergies. The best
part of the web site is the 4 day forecast for allergy severity. At
the main page enter your zip code in the field at the top the click the
'go' button. You will then be taken to a page showing you the
projected pollen count. Below the graph tells you what the prominent
types of pollen are. You can then search the site to get more info
regarding these types of pollen and where they come from.
I subscribe to the
daily newsletter and pollen report. Every morning when I get to work
I have an email from them telling me the pollen count and when types of
pollen are prominent. They do not send emails when there is no
serious pollen count, such as in winter season, so you only get notices
when it effects you.
I tried to get the
graph here on this page but they apparently only do that type of service
with doctor's offices. After 18 years of suffering I think I almost
qualify as an expert. Oh well.
What I do.
Even with
medication I can't get completely over the effects of allergies. I
still have the itchy/watery eyes, runny nose, etc. There are some
small things you can do to help you feel better.
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Take your
medication! The first thing you should do in the morning is
get drugged-up. If you have prescription drugs to take, don't
hesitate to do it. I start taking my medications on my birthday
(February 17) which is a couple of weeks before the allergy season
begins. This gets my system used to the stuff. Here is
what I take:
There are
several prescription out there. I have spent several years
finding the one that works best. I have also had several test
and blood work done to find out what exactly I am allergic to.
See a allergy specialist if you can to help see what is best for you
to do.
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Stay in the
air conditioning. Most homes have a filtration system in the
A/C unit to help filter out dust. This works great to filter
pollen out too. Remember to change the filter at the beginning
of the hayfever season, Usually around late February.
-
Keep
facial tissues close at all times. You never know when you
could have a small attack. I am a fan of TP if I have to use it.
-
Change
the sheets and pillow cases often. Even with the A/C running
to filter out pollen, it still get in to some degree. The pollen
settles on things as it is heavier than air. Unfortunately, your
pillow is one of these things. I can be somewhat of a germaphobe
and the thought of laying my face in a pile of pollen creeps me
out. I like to change the pillow cases at least once a week.
-
Wipe your
face with cool water periodically during the day. Again the
germaphobe in me comes out. Pollen collect on the oil on your
face during the day. This creeps me out to think that there are
millions of pollen clinging to my face. I simply rinse my face
in cool water and blot dry. It makes me feel a little better.
-
Take and
extra shower or two. Especially after serious yard work like
mowing. take as much of your clothes off (as you feel
comfortable and the law allows) before you get inside your home.
Get those clothes to the laundry as soon as possible to keep free, dry
pollen from floating around your house. Shower and put on clean
clothes. This may sound very simple and perhaps condescending
but it really does help to start afresh. I sleep much better if I
shower before bedtime.
-
Rain is
your friend. If you suffer from regular Hayfever, then pay
attention to the weather forecast. The rainy days should be the good
days for you since the rain washes the pollen away. Dry windy
days are the worst. The wind just blows trillions and trillions
of pollen particles around and without the wetness of rain there is
nothing to keep it down on the ground. Basically, it gets
everywhere.
-
Other
problems with allergies: Asthma! An allergic reaction can
trigger an asthma (as-ma) attack. This is a whole different
monster all by itself. Most people who suffer from allergies
also have asthma to some degree. Pollen.com has some tips and
help for asthma too. I also have to take prescription inhalers
to keep my lungs in good shape. One thing to note about asthma
is that it is a permanent problem. If you have an asthma attack
because of allergies, you most likely has asthma before. You can
control it though with your doctor's help.
-
Don't do anything drastic!
Allergies are not permanent. It's a funny thing actually.
They can come and go and last for different periods of time. In
my family (2 brothers and a sister) I am the only one who has problems
most of my life. My other siblings have notice some allergy
reactions this year though. They may not have problems next
year. I could go another year and then not be affected
anymore. Allergies just work that way. So don't think it's like
cancer. In fact when I am having a bad day I remind myself it
could be cancer. So just be glad it's only allergies.
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