dust or anything else you may be allergic to. A good place to start?
“Encasing pillows and mattresses in dust mite-proof covers can help immensely,” Dr. Abdeldaim says.
Love pets, but are allergic to them? There’s a solution for that as well.
“For pet allergic patients, keeping the pet out of the bedroom/off the bed is also helpful,” Dr. Abdeldaim adds.
It is also wise to invest in a HEPA air filter, which can also help regulate perennial allergens in the bedroom.
RELATED: 7 Ways You’re Making Your Allergies Worse
Make an allergy action plan
According to Dr. Abdeldaim, allergy action plans are an essential part of being prepared for allergy season because getting the proper care means knowing the signs of an allergy attack and how to properly use your medication.
“You have to know how to use all of your medication and when to escalate your care,” Dr. Abdeldaim shares. “You need to know the signs that should unequivocally send you to the ER.”
Want to make an allergy action plan, but not sure where to start? Start by differentiating your symptoms. For example, an itchy nose or mouth may be a mild symptom for you. On the other hand, shortness of breath may be a sign of something more severe. It will be helpful for the people around you to know what mild and severe symptoms look like so they know how to proceed.
From there, you should give clear instructions on what they should do if you are experiencing an attack. Should they call 911? What medications should they give you? Should they lay you a certain way (i.e. flat on the ground)? Do you have an emergency contact they should call?
Getting the hang of how to successfully manage your allergies can be challenging, but it can be done. With the proper care, you can manage your allergies and still do the things you love.
“Don’t accept allergies, even seasonal allergies, as trivial. There are many solutions out there and it’s important to get qualified advice on what will work for you,” Dr. Abdeldaim concludes.
To get a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, take Picnic’s personalized allergy quiz.