Spring Allergy Control

Most people suffer from some type of allergy year round as there are different types of tree, grass and weed pollens that are in the air depending on the time of year. As the spring season springs to life all around us you can arm yourself with some helpful information and tools on combating the spring allergy triggers. Educate yourself at the on-line sites that offer information and tools that can help you avoid the misery of allergy symptoms.

Practical Tips

If you are unsure of what your particular triggers are you can visit your family doctor to have a skin test performed that will determine your allergy triggers. Your doctor can prescribe an allergy medication or recommend one that can be obtained over-the-counter at your pharmacy.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/National Institutes of Health http://www2.niaid.nih.gov/Newsroom/FocusOn/Allergy99/Q_A.html website offers practical things you can do to avoid the worst of your reactions to pollens. I have listed a few of these with others that have been suggested by weather reporters:

* Stay indoors when pollen levels are highest. Usually 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
* Keep your windows closed in home and car and use the air conditioner so you are not breathing in the pollens and they are not collecting on upholstery in the home and car, or on you.
* Avoid mowing your grass or doing other yard work if possible when pollen counts are high. The key is to take it easy.
* Check the pollen counts in your area to find out what the days triggers are. If you listen to the radio or TV news in the morning or evening this is usually a topic that is covered by the weather person. You can also go to The National Allergy Bureau http://www.aaaai.org/nab/index.cfm to confirm the pollen activity in your area. The Bureau is the section of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology's (AAAAI) Aeroallergen Network. They report current pollen and mold spore levels to the public. The counter is not available in all areas. The NAB explains that certified pollen counters are specially trained and certified allied health workers who spend approximately two hours a day, three times a week counting pollen. They must work under the direction of an allergist. The NAB is continuing to add counters. If you would like to contact them and let them know of an allergist in your area who would be interested in becoming a pollen counter, you can ask the doctor to contact the National Allergy Bureau at (414) 272-6071 or nab@aaaai.org.
* If you walk outside during the peak pollen level hours of 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. be sure to shower and change clothes when you return. Your hair and clothes and exposed skin will all have some pollen on them.
* Keep hydrated during the day. Drink plenty of water.

Helpful Tools, Dehumidifiers and Air Cleaners

There are a variety of tools on the market that you can avail yourself of to eliminate conditions that promote allergy misery. A dehumidifier can be obtained for basements or crawlspaces. This equipment can remove water that causes mold, mildew and damp must in the home. You can visit the following website to decide which dehumidifier equipment is right for you.

AllergyBuyersClub.com http://www.allergybuyersclub.com has the Santa Fe model of dehumidifier available for both basement and crawlspace installation. These units are not inexpensive, but are built to work for years and eliminate the need to buy several machines and empty multiple water tanks as they fill.

An Ionizer/Air Purifier will produce negative ion generation in your closed home and office environments. This recreates the healthy balance you would experience in the outdoors where the environment is charged with negative ions naturally. Human health can be improved by elevating our mood, increasing mental alertness and vitality and reduction of anxiety and depression as a result of negative ions in your environment. Most closed environments like the home, office and school lack negative ions in their environments.

AllergyBuyersClub also provides a 12-point check-list to help in navigating the maze of ionizers available to the consumer. Under each step is detailed information on the things you should be aware of when purchasing an air cleaner such as the type of technology and filtration media used, size of filter, filtration efficiency, air changes per hour, cost of filter replacements and so on. Visit their site to view a variety of air cleaners for sale.

The AllergyStore.com http://www.allergystore.com provides information on allergies and what causes the reactions with links to Conditions/Helpful Products, What are allergies?, Pollen allergies? The site provides a well defined directory to purchase bedding HEPA Air Cleaners, Denaturing Products, Nebulizers, Peak Flow Meters, Steam Inhalers, all arranged by the particular condition that you are suffering from.

The Watershed http://watershed.net is another source for Negative Ion Generator/High Density Negative Ionizers. Visit their site to view models and pricing

An investment in a dehumidifier and an Ionizer/Air Purifier will ensure that your closed home or office environment supports an allergen free environment in conjunction with following all the practical steps to avoid exposure to allergy triggers outlined in this article.