Holy Station

Posts Tagged ‘Allergens’

Airborne pollutants and particles are the most the most common causes of allergic reactions and include everything from naturally occurring substances like pollen to synthetic chemicals such as polyvinylchloride. These reactions can be nothing more then a few sniffles or runny nose, hay fever, or a more serious reaction such as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity that can seriously debilitate its sufferer.

So what can an allergy sufferer do to reduce their reactions to these allergens? Quite a lot actually.

The first thing to do is indentify what is causing the reaction then making a plan to deal with the issue. For instance many people have reactions and symptoms from substances that are released from many different types of materials. Carpet is a major culprit in many homes so removing the carpet eliminates the source of the problem. The point is to reduce the allergic person’s exposure to those things that cause their reactions.

Another contributor to in home allergy problems is a dirty HVAC system. This is particularly true in older homes where dirt, dust, and pollen have built up in the duct system over the years. Every time the HVAC system turns on it re-circulates these substances into the air causing problems for allergy sufferers. Changing or upgrading the filters in the system and getting the ducts cleaned are the best way to deal with this issue.

An air purifier is also a good way to deal with airborne allergens and will work best when used in conjunction with removing allergy causing items from the home. The type of air cleaner needed will depend on the pollutant that needs to be filtered.

For airborne particulates such as pollen a HEPA filter or electrostatic filter are the best choices. HEPA air cleaners are very efficient removing over 99% of the particles that pass through it. Electronic filters are slightly less efficient but are easy to clean; just put it in the dishwasher once a month or rinse it off and its good to go.

For airborne chemicals that are released from synthetic materials and household cleaners a media such as activated carbon should be used. As these chemicals a drawn across the carbons surface they adhere to it leaving the re-circulated air fresh and clean. There are other compounds that are able to target more specific chemical pollutants so it is a good idea to thoroughly research which will work best.

Bacteria, viruses, spores, and other microorganisms are also contributors to allergy symptoms. These are dealt with via a UV (Ultraviolet) light filter that neutralizes or kills the organism rendering it harmless.

Combining these different air filtering technologies will render the best results in the fight against airborne allergens. These are particularly efficient when added to a homes HVAC system creating a whole-home air purification system. Doing this and removing those item that are contributing to the problem can go a long way towards relieving the symptoms of allergy sufferers.

When allergies strike, most allergy sufferers head to the drugstore where they purchase an antihistamine. They take it, and soon their symptoms begin to subside. They’re all set until the next outburst.

Over-the-counter antihistamines are effective but unfortunately, taking them often causes unpleasant side effects such as drowsiness and a feeling of lethargy. If you’re tired of feeling tired when allergies strike, maybe it’s time you reach for natural allergy remedies instead.

Natural allergy remedies come in all forms and are made from many different types of ingredients including herbs, plants, ground up honey bees, and other vitamins and nutrients. Most natural allergy remedies have been designed to either stop histamine outbursts from occurring in the first place, or they act to combat the individual symptoms that occur with the release of histamines. They accomplish these tasks naturally, which is why unpleasant side effects are non-existent.

Besides treating allergy symptoms with all-natural ingredients, the term “natural allergy remedies” has come to mean something more. In addition to being a natural and effective way to treat allergy symptoms after they develop, the term can be used to describe taking control of your surroundings so that you limit exposure to the allergens that cause you trouble. For example, if pet dander is a problem, don’t keep pets. Or if you must, you’ve got to be vigilant about keeping pet dander under control. Likewise with dust mites. You need to protect your furnishings with casings that keep this type of problem under wraps. Also keep in mind that your diet may be causing your allergies to be worse. Changing to a healthy diet can make a huge difference.

Watching what you eat is important if you’ve got food allergies, so taking steps to control your diet can also be considered a natural allergy remedy. In addition to closely monitoring what you eat, there also are foods you can consume that are known to contain naturally-occurring histamine combatants. For example, Quercitin, a flavinoid found in onions and apples, is capable of blocking the release of histamines which cause the familiar allergy symptoms like runny nose, congestion, and itchy, watery eyes. Besides being effective against allergies, there are countless other health benefits of eating these and other types of fruits and vegetables, like lowering your risk of developing heart disease and keeping your blood sugar levels stable.

If you’re like a lot of people and find that monitoring what you eat is too much work, then consider taking a daily multi-vitamin. Many of the vitamins and minerals benefit the immune system which in turn helps keeps the symptoms of allergies under control.

With so many natural allergy remedies being offered, understanding the ingredients as well as the actual benefits of each can be mind-boggling. Even though these types of products are available without a prescription, if you’re confused, it might be advisable to speak with an allergist or someone who specializes in natural remedies. These specialists can help explain how each of the individual ingredients work and why they’re thought to be effective. This type of information may help you decide whether natural allergy remedies are right for you.