| While most of the world looks forward to the | | | | eliminates symptoms. Immunotherapy is not for |
| arrival of spring, over 36 million others who suffer | | | | everyone, and produces different results for |
| with springtime allergies dread it because of the | | | | different people. |
| airborne allergens that are released into the air, in | | | | 3. Avoid Them-This piece of the approach is far |
| some locations, as early as January. Using the | | | | easier said than done. However, once you know |
| following simple but effective 3-prong approach | | | | which outdoor allergens are causing the problem, |
| will help even spring allergy sufferers join the rest | | | | your allergist will be able to tell you when they are |
| of the world in looking forward to spring. | | | | most prevalent during the day, and the time of |
| 1. Identify the Allergens-Allergies are most often | | | | year they affect your area most. For example, |
| triggered by a combination of irritants. One of the | | | | spring pollen is heaviest in the morning, and on dry |
| best ways to identify exactly which triggers are | | | | windy days. And if pollen is a major irritant for |
| at the root of allergies is to consult an allergist. | | | | you, the air is clearest after a heavy rain. Your |
| They can conduct a series of skin tests which | | | | local weather forecast will also include a daily pollen |
| introduce small amounts of suspected allergens. | | | | count. Take this into consideration daily and plan |
| Those that show as positive are the ones that | | | | outdoor activities on days when the count is low. |
| should be avoided. These are most likely to | | | | Whatever the airborne trigger is for you, it is |
| include pollen from trees and a combination of | | | | virtually impossible to keep it out of your home. |
| common indoor pollutants such as dust, dust | | | | Whether it is mold and mildew spores, or pollen |
| mites, and mold and mildew spores. | | | | that sends your body into overdrive, it can enter |
| 2. Control the Symptoms-Controlling the | | | | your home in your hair, on pets and packages, |
| symptoms and feeling better can be approached | | | | and be blown in with air currents as you open and |
| in several ways. The first way is to minimize the | | | | close doors that lead outside. And with most |
| sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, runny nose, | | | | homes being so well insulated, these irritants have |
| congestion, and other symptoms that plague | | | | no way out. Combine these outdoor allergens with |
| allergy sufferers once they have occurred. Over | | | | indoor allergens that are present all the time and, |
| the counter or prescribed antihistamines and | | | | unless you do something to get rid of them, the |
| decongestants are two of the most widely used | | | | air in your home can trigger even more |
| drugs for this purpose. The second approach is by | | | | symptoms than the outdoors. |
| using medicine that helps reduce the body's | | | | What can be done? Using the right high efficiency |
| reaction or sensitivity to the allergen which | | | | particle arresting air purifier will remove not only |
| reduces the symptoms before they happen. | | | | pollen, mold and mildew spores and other outdoor |
| These drugs include Cromolyn sodium and | | | | triggers, but will remove the common household |
| Leukotriene modifiers. | | | | pollutants that work in perfect concert with each |
| You can also ask your allergist about | | | | other to cause you misery. Filtering your air |
| immunotherapy. This is a gradual process that | | | | continually will help you effectively manage your |
| occurs over the course of many months and | | | | allergies by removing the airborne triggers |
| involves exposing your body to injections of | | | | constantly which will allow you to put the spring |
| increasing amounts of the allergens to which your | | | | back in your step not just when spring arrives, |
| body is most sensitive. Gradually the body is | | | | but all year long. |
| desensitized which greatly reduces if not totally | | | | |