How to Get Rid of Allergies for Good

Looking to permanently get rid of allergies that are constantly interfering with your life? Then read on to discover how to get rid of allergies for good here.

If you’re reading this because you’re one of the 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies, take heart.

We’ve got all the info on how to get rid of allergies for good or at least keep them under control for now.

What Causes Allergies?

Allergies vary in intensity from mild seasonal annoyances to life-threatening asthma attacks.  They affect people from all walks of life and fall into a wide range of categories.

Some allergies are rare, like aquagenic urticaria, which is an adverse reaction to water. Others, such as pollen allergy occur only at certain times of the year, and some are a constant worry, like a peanut allergy.

So, what’s the common denominator across this broad spectrum of afflictions? Allergens are the culprit.

What Are Allergens?

Some people’s immune systems go into hyperdrive when they come across certain substances like peanuts or pollen. The result is a severe immune response in the form of antibodies.

Antibodies release chemicals called histamines into your bloodstream to combat this invader. Since there’s no real enemy to absorb the brute force of the attack, these chemicals can cause a host of unwanted results instead.

These vary from bouts of sneezing or itching to life-threatening anaphylaxis, depending on how badly your immune system reacts.

The term ‘allergen’ refers to anything that invokes this overdramatic reaction in your body.

Allergens are lurking everywhere. Many people remain unaware of what’s causing their discomfort for years before an allergy test provides a clue.

It’s possible that your body eventually accepts the allergen as part of life and you get over your allergy. This is particularly common with children who start out allergic to some foods and gradually grow out of it.

If you’re suffering from discomforts like shortness of breath, itching, rashes, or sneezing, the first step towards relief is discovering which allergen is responsible.

Common Types of Allergens and Allergies

As with all health-related issues, your first port of call is your doctor. They’ll be able to diagnose your allergy by performing a series of tests.

The most usual type of test for allergies is the skin-prick test. This involves injecting tiny amounts of common allergens into your skin to see how it reacts.

Usually, a nurse will conduct this easy and painless test in about 40 minutes. First, they’ll clean the area and mark it with up to 50 colored dots.

Then they’ll apply a tiny drop of histamine and glycerine to two of these dots. Unless your skin responds normally to these two substances, the skin-prick test won’t work for you.

Provided all goes well, the nurse applies tiny smears of allergens to the skin and presses them in with a lancet. If you’re allergic to any of these substances, a small raised dot will appear on the site within 15 minutes.

Skin prick tests are most effective at isolating airborne allergic responses. If you don’t get any results from your skin prick test, blood tests are the next step.

Pollen Allergy

Pollen count goes up as plants set their tiny pollen grains free into the springtime air.

If you have a pollen allergy, your immune system objects to these tiny objects entering your airways. It responds by releasing extra mucus to capture them, or sneezing to expel them.

The best way to avoid this reaction is to stay indoors during times when the pollen count is at its highest. Often, local weather reports include pollen count as part of their broadcast, so check before going out.

If you can’t resist the great outdoors when the sun is out, nasal sprays or antihistamine tablets will help you cope.

Pet Allergy

Pet allergies are one of the most common and unfortunate allergies to befall mankind. When you have a pet allergy, your body reacts to harmless proteins in the urine, saliva, or dead skin cells of animals.

If you can’t imagine a life without your pets, or you work with animals, you can control your allergic reaction with prescribed medications.

Insect Allergies

Any insect bite that causes itching is a possible source of allergens. It’s normal for your skin to swell up and become inflamed when you’re bitten or stung.

That’s the normal and justifiable defense against the poisons injected into your skin. However, sometimes your immune system goes a step too far by restricting your breathing or going into shock.

If you’re allergic to insect bites, your doctor will prescribe emergency medication that you can take in the event of a bite.

Some household insects, like dust mites and cockroaches, can set off allergic reactions with their waste.

Food Allergies

When you are allergic to a specific food, your body produces Immunoglobulin antibodies when you ingest that food. These can cause symptoms like:

• Skin irritation
• Swelling of the tongue, lips, or throat
• Shortness of breath and wheezing
• Stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting

If you experience any adverse reactions after eating certain foods, visit your doctor so that you can confirm whether you’re allergic to it. The only way to avoid serious consequences from food allergies is to avoid them altogether.

Some of the most extreme food allergies are those associated with peanuts and seafood.

Mold Allergy

Mold allergy is similar to a pollen allergy in that it’s an immune response to the reproductive spores of molds and fungi.

Unlike pollen allergy, disturbing mold at any time of year can release these allergens into your environment. It’s easy to avoid mold by dehumidifying your rooms and practicing stringent hygiene practices.

Treating and Avoiding Allergies

You can’t fight against your own body, so many people go through their lives treating allergy symptoms as they arise. This is an effective way to get relief but it’s first prize to avoid the problem in the first place.

When you’re aware of which allergen is causing your discomfort, there are a few things you can do to limit outbreaks.

Allergy Shots

Regular antihistamine shots are one of the most common ways to get rid of allergies by masking the symptoms. These shots contain minuscule doses of the offending allergen.

By introducing minute doses of the allergen into your bloodstream at a time, your body eventually becomes accustomed to it. In this way, it ‘learns’ to adjust it’s immune response accordingly.

It takes time for this effect to kick in, so your doctor will set up a regular schedule of allergy shots to help beat your allergies for good.

Allergy shots work best against airborne triggers like dust, mold, pet and cockroach dander, pollen, and grass.

Air Filters and Purifiers

Keeping allergens out of the air you breathe is an obvious first step to avoid allergy outbreaks.

You can install an air filter in your ventilation, heating, and air-conditioning system. If you have forced air ventilation in your home, switching your filter to a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter can help.

These filters act to extract large allergens like dust mites, pet dander, some molds, and pollen from the air you breathe at home.

It’s a good idea to get your air ducts cleaned by a professional at least every two to five years too. This will remove any of the allergens that are still lurking around.

Anti-Histamine Medications

Anti-histamines work by blocking the histamines produced by antibodies. In this way, they quickly relieve allergy symptoms.

This type of medication is well-established and available in various forms suitable for treating people of all ages. You get anti-histamine creams, tablets, eye drops, and nasal sprays.

Many of these are available over the counter, while you’ll need a doctor’s prescription to get your hands on some of them.

Other Allergen-Reducing Tactics

There are a few more things you can do as an extra precaution against allergens in your environment.

Reduce Pet Dander

If you already have a pet, bathe them regularly to reduce the amount of saliva on their fur. You can also get them clipped so they have less hair in the first place.

If you’re considering getting a pet, make sure you get a hypoallergenic breed like a poodle or a Rex cat.

Beat Dust Mites

Dust mites thrive on chaos. Get rid of clutter, and remove any wall to wall carpets where they can breed unrestrained.

Covering your sofa’s and cushions with washable covers are the easiest way to prevent dust mites from setting up home on your soft furnishings.

Vacuum Regularly

Vacuuming your living areas removes dander, mites, dust, and pollen from your immediate environment. It also limits the chances that these allergens will become airborne.

Dehumidify Your Home

You can buy a dehumidifying device to keep the air dry and prevent a build-up of mold. Airing out your bathroom after you’ve showered stops moisture from clinging to the walls and becoming a breeding ground for mold.

Limit the Greenery in Your Home

Dust mites and mold spores love houseplants as much as you do. Place houseplants away from your living areas or get rid of them. Dried flowers are a no-no too.

Pest Control

Cockroaches are other pests can cause allergies too. Get a pest exterminator to give your house a once over and use traps or repellent measures to keep them at bay.

Dispose of left-over food promptly to avoid attracting these unwanted visitors.

All of these methods seem like a lot of work, and they are. If you’d like to avoid the extra labor, it’s worth looking into getting rid of your allergies permanently from another perspective.

How to Get Rid of Allergies for Good With Lifestyle Changes

By far the best way to get rid of allergies forevermore is to make some changes. A healthy diet and lifestyle are your gateway to good health all round including getting rid of allergies.

Gut Health for Beating Allergies at the Source

Since allergies are directly related to your immune response, it makes sense that you can beat allergies for good by keeping your immune system in good shape.

Probiotic supplements like ProbioZen can help you achieve this. Probiotics work to balance the good bacteria in your gut and optimize your immune response to common allergens.

Up to 70% of your immune cells reside in the gut, and over time, they’ve learned to work with gut bacteria to defend your body against unwanted intruders.

When you have enough good bacteria as an extra defense, your immune system doesn’t need to work as hard to keep you safe. Thus, it’s less inclined to overreact to unwanted allergens.

Eating to Beat Allergies

Food allergies aside, it follows that whatever you put into your digestive tract can affect your immune response.

Some foods assist your immune system, some can help reduce allergy symptoms, and others can cause havoc with your health in general.

Foods to Avoid if You Want to Live Allergy Free

Dairy is a no-no if you want to get your allergies under control. Milk products cause your body to increase mucus production.

Gluten is another guilty party when it comes to increased mucus, so cutting out bread will help reduce allergy symptoms.

Preservatives inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi which means they’re great for keeping processed food fresh. Unfortunately, preservatives don’t discriminate when it comes to good and bad bacteria, so they wreak havoc in your digestive tract.

Stick to organic, homemade, and preservative-free foods if you want to experience fewer sniffles and sneezes when summer rolls around.

Allergy-Soothing Foods

Onions, cabbage, and apples contain quercetin which helps stabilize histamine-producing mast cells. Eating regularly helps reduce unnecessary inflammation.

Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine but citrus isn’t the best way to get it as it can disrupt your histamine pathways. Rather increase your intake of kale, bell peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage.

Omega-3 fatty acids help stabilize the body’s tissues and combat inflammation. You’ll find it in fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel. Olive oil is also a good source of omega-3 fats.

Health and Wellness For a Happy Life

Whether you’re wondering about how to get rid of allergies for good or looking for an energy boost, you’ll find something useful on our website.

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