limit exposure to the allergens that are making your symptoms worse. Keep reading for advice on minimizing exposure to allergens that might exacerbate your COPD.
Know Before You Go
Before venturing out, check the local pollen forecast. Pollen and mold count updates for your location may be found on several weather sites, including AccuWeather.
Pollen counts from certain plants, such as trees, weeds, and grasses, are also included in the Weather Channel’s Allergy Tracker.
To lessen the severity of your allergy symptoms, consider scheduling outside activities on days when pollen and mold levels are lower.
Stay Inside
When the air quality outside is bad, remaining indoors is safer. If the Air Quality Index is above 100, patients with COPD may have severe respiratory distress.
AirNow is a useful tool for Americans to gauge local air pollution levels and is a must-have if you reside in the United States. Put on a mask to protect yourself from the harmful effects of exposure to the outdoor environment.
RELATED: Managing COPD: Tips for Improving Quality of Life
Treat Your Symptoms
If you suffer from allergy symptoms like watery eyes or a runny nose, see your physician about allergy medication. You might try taking an antihistamine that you can get without a prescription.
Breathing problems caused by allergies may be alleviated by using antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or cetirizine (Zyrtec). In addition to oral steroids, nasal steroids, decongestants, and inhalers may be necessary to reduce airway inflammation.
Allergy-Proof Your Environment
Do everything you can to prevent allergens from entering your home. There are a few things you can do at home, and they are as follows:
- Put in a quality filtering system for your AC.
- If pollen or pollution levels are high, it’s best to stay inside.
- Installing a cabin air filter may prevent allergies from entering your automobile.
- Dust and vacuum often to remove mold spores and pollen that may have found their way inside.
Talk To Your Doctor
Discuss your seasonal allergy problems and their impact on your COPD with your doctor. A few of the possibilities they could provide are:
- Trying out some over-the-counter allergy medicine
- Increased inhaler use during allergy season
- Finding out what allergens are bothering you by having an allergy test done
- Immunotherapy (allergy injections) may be used to lessen the impact of allergies