For the past 17 years I’ve suffered with allergies, until I started getting a weekly allergy shot that my specialist put together for me after several tests. For 17 years every day I’d wake up to at least 2-3hrs of  violent sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose and sinus pressure like you wont believe. My allergies had nothing to do with seasons, but when it did get hot and humid things did get worse.

With the heat wave we’ve experienced the last few days, it seems my allergy shot was not enough to help me cope. So it’s been a terrible few days for me.
For those of us that suffer from allergies, here are some protection pointers I found in an article written by Amy Roffman.

PROTECTlON POINTERS

In most cases, reducing your exposure to the allergen or irritant will clear up your stuffy head or dizziness fairly quickly. That means getting rid of dust, house­hold products, or whatever irritant is causing your problem.

Use a heat recovery ventilator to remove polluted air and provide fresh filtered air. Many problems occur because there is not enough outside air to dilute the effects of chemicals and allergens. Use exhaust fans on a regular basis to remove polluted indoor air.

Use your air conditioner — Reduce exposure to airborne pollen from trees, grasses and weeds by staying in air-conditioned spaces. Keep windows closed during pollen season, especially on windy days.

Maintain optimal humidity — Keep humidity low (30 to 50 percent) to reduce indoor levels of dust mites, molds and insects. Use exhaust fans in your bathrooms and kitchen and a dehumidifier in your basement. Vent dryers outside. If you use a humidifier, change the water daily.

Reduce pet dander — Avoid pets with fur or feathers. If your asthma is triggered by your cat, it’s best to find a new home for your pet. If you choose to keep your cat, wash it once a week with soap and warm water to reduce airborne dander. Keep your cat outside as much as possible and don’t let it in your bedroom.

Decontaminate your decor — To minimize dust that may aggravate nighttime symptoms, encase mattresses, pillows and box springs in dustproof covers, which can be removed and cleaned frequently. Replace bedding made of down, kapok or foam rubber with synthetic materials such as dacron. Wash sheets, pillow cases and mattress pads weekly in hot water. Replace synthetic pillows every two or three years. Consider replacing upholstered furniture with leather or vinyl, carpeting with hardwood, vinyl or tile, and heavy drapes with blinds, shades or washable curtains.

Ensure clean air — Have a utility company check your air conditioner and furnace once a year. Change furnace filters according to manufacturer’s instructions. Consider installing a HEPA filter in your heating system. Maintain proper ventilation if you burn wood in your home.

Don’t wear contacts during pollen season — Substitute your eyeglasses for contact lenses on high pollen-count days. Pollen grains can be trapped under lenses.

Clean regularly — Clean your home at least once a week. Because cleaning stirs up dust, however, wear a mask or have someone else clean if possible.

Attach a filter to your vacuum — Conventional machines tend to stir up fine particles of substances including dust mites. Equip your vacuum with two-ply microfiltration bags or an electrostatic filter that fits over the exhaust outlet. Also, consider a central cleaner with the collecting bag outside your home, or a cleaner fitted with a high-efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) filter.