Winter Allergy Tips for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Winter is considered to be a time for happy skiing, sleighing, and building the happy snow man in the front yard of the house. This perfect picture might be ruined by sudden and unpleasant things like swelling of hands, lips and mouth and a rash occurring after a snow fight or simple coughing and sneezing with watery nose and itching eyes. All these symptoms might indicate the allergies caused by cold temperature or might express themselves if an allergic person tries to physically work out on a perfect winter morning.
Allergies are common these days and the doctors usually pay much attention to prevent such unexpected reactions as Anaphylactic shock. Nevertheless this simple list of things to remember might be helpful and serve as some kind of a reminder to check before going out.
You should remember that allergic reactions might be provoked by consuming histamine-releasing foods prior to going outdoors. So, if you are planning a hike to the fields of snow, consider not having salami, ham, cheese or citrus fruits for breakfast. It would be also wise if your sandwich would not contain peanut butter.
Do not put a chocolate bar into your lunch bag. Power bars containing nuts should be left at home. A thermos with hot tea should be included in the lunch bag.
A glass of hot wine on a cold day or some other alcoholic beverage might cause some unexpected surprise as well. Especially if you are planning to catch up with the exercises. So it would be nice to consider it twice before indulging into it.
Remember that some common drugs like ibuprofen or aspirin might trigger undesirable reactions if you have taken them in the evening prior to exercising, especially if you are having menstruations.
It would be wise to avoid such medicines as Feldene,Voltaren, Alka Seltzer, Indocin if you are planning an outdoors trip. Consult with your doctor about which painkillers should be safe for you in this case.
Being allergic does not mean you are deprived of everything. It is not true. You may enjoy simple pleasures of life like others people do. But you really need to take care of some extra precaution measures. A warm sweater, a scarf, 2 pairs of mittens, a hat, and insulated boots should be worn outside to minimize the contact with the cold temperature.
Protect your skin from the cold by applying emollients. They might be of some help to prevent moisture escaping from the skin. The cream should be applied on the face and the hands. Do not forget to use some lip balm also. There are over the counter brands like Excipial Ointment by Spirig or Diprobase by Schering-Plough. Some creams containing Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil or Sunflower Oil or a well known Petroleum Jelly might be useful as well.
Remember that exercising inside is safer for allergic persons. Do not get involved into the snow fights as it might turn out to be a serious workout session for your body. A light walk may provide enough of exercise and pleasure as well.
Try not to overexpose yourself to the cold. Do not stay out if it is heavily raining or snowing, especially if the weather is windy. It will make you feel cold and a skin reaction might be triggered. This might be especially dangerous if the hands are not covered or your mittens get wet. Have your umbrella with you all the time. Wind proof Parka with hood is the best protector from cold in this kind of weather.
Finally, do not forget to take your antihistamines before you are going out. And do not forget your Emergency Kit . Talk with your doctor to be sure that you know how to take these drugs and that you know what to do in the case of emergency. Be sure that your friends and family members are informed about your condition and that they know the steps to take in the case of emergency.

Sources:
1. www.mayoclinic.com/health/common-cold/AN01229
2. www.vanwagoner.net/skin%20emolients.html
3.www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100004782.html