Allergy Prevention

Lily

B.R
Staff member
The adage, “prevention is better than cure” is more than apt in the case of allergy. This is because it is very difficult to pinpoint the exact cure for allergy. Though therapies and medications are available, they can only provide relief, and reduce the symptoms. So, it makes all the more sense to adopt preventive measures to combat allergy. However, you must always bear in mind that there are innumerable substances that can cause allergy, the most common being pollen and dust, so you should first identify the things that you are allergic to. Only then, you will be able to prevent yourself from getting exposed to those substances. Though it may be very tough to completely shield yourself from airborne allergens, the simple protective measures that you can adopt will go a long way in reducing your chance to contact allergies. Other than airborne allergies, the rest like, food allergies are quite easy to prevent, by simply staying away from such foods. That is why to prevent the symptoms from occurring you should learn how to avoid those allergens. This is particularly true in the case of children as exposure to allergens during infancy or childhood is the most likely cause of the development of allergy. To know more read below for the various tips on preventing allergies.

How To Prevent Allergies

Daily Care

  • The common causes of allergies are dust, molds and mites. These thrive in hot and humid conditions. So, to prevent allergies you should keep the humidity of the house to 30 to 45% and the temperature to 23 to 26 degrees C. Install cooling systems and air purifiers in the house.
  • Encase the mattress and pillows in mite-zippered encasings to prevent the mites from breeding.
  • Dust your house regularly with water as it traps the dust better. Vacuum clean the carpets and rugs and if possible frequently steam clean them.
  • Launder the sofa covers, bed linens etc in hot water to control the mites but don’t dry them outside as pollen can accumulate in them.
  • Get rid of all the damp places in the house so that the molds do not grow in them. You can get rid of damp areas by using a dehumidifier, especially concentrate on the bathroom and keep it well ventilated.
  • During hot weather keep, the doors and windows closed as much as possible. Use air coolers to keep the room cool.
  • Adopt measures to eliminate all the insect and pest population from the house. Their residue can always trigger an allergy. Seal all the cracks and crevices.
  • Another common cause of allergy is pet dander. If possible, keep the pets outside as much as you can. Don’t let them enter your bedroom and never take them on bed. Keep the pets clean, bathing them once a week with dander reducing shampoo.
Food Allergies

  • Soy, egg, fish, cow’s milk, shellfish, peanuts etc are main causing agents of food allergies. Toddlers who are first learning to eat should be exposed to these foods slowly and in little amounts to see if they develop any symptoms of allergy. Breastfeeding mothers should also avoid eating such foods.
  • If your first child is allergic to certain foods then it is better to avoid giving such foods to your other children. You should also avoid giving those foods, which are allergic to you.
  • When eating out make sure you know all the ingredients that have been used in the dish.
Additional Tips

  • Do not expose tobacco smoke to children before or after birth. Expecting mothers who smoke are more likely to have children wheezing during infancy. In addition, various studies have shown that children exposed to tobacco smoke are more likely to develop asthma.
  • Breastfeed your child for the first 6-to12 months. This will strengthen the child’s immune system.
  • If the parents or the siblings are suffering from allergies then they should get the newborn checked with an allergist.
  • Medications like antihistamines and decongestants can provide short-term relief.
  • Another good option is to go for immunotherapy by an allergist. It is the most effective for common allergens like mites, pollen, dander, and insect stings.
 
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