Sneezing, coughing, watery eyes and an itchy throat are all symptoms of the common cold. In fact, allergies and the common cold are practically the same thing in terms of how it affects you. The seasons changing can trigger all sorts of allergy issues. Use the concepts in this article to combat the causes of your allergies.

Never try a new antihistamine away from home; the first time should always be experienced in the safety of your own home. Some of these can make you sleepy and impair your reflexes. Even if there are no warnings on the labeling, refrain from driving when you take the first doses.

It is tempting to open windows to save on cooling costs when the sun is shining. Unfortunately, doing so may actually invite an allergy attack. To get the most noticeable results, get a HEPA filter for your air conditioning unit, thereby reducing the allergens that make it indoors. This might not feel quite as fresh but it will help you breathe easier.

A person’s reaction to an allergen may change from one phase of life to another. For example, food allergies are more common in infants as they are exposed to different things for the first time. Later in life, a child may become accustomed to a previously irritating food yet develop an allergy to some other substance, such as pollen. You need to keep in mind that children are quite capable of developing genuine allergies to airborne spores or pollen, even if they have never had an allergic reaction to anything other than foods.

While testing for allergies with skin tests are helpful to alert you to what allergies you have, it is very difficult to know how bad your allergic reaction is going to be towards those substances. For instance, a test can tell you that you have an allergy to a specific type of spore. Even if a test indicates an allergy, you may be asymptomatic when you encounter the allergen in real life if your sensitivity is low.

Think about taking the carpet out of your house. Carpet is infamous for dead dust mites, pollen and dust. If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, consider switching to wood, laminate or tile floors, if finances allow. Just this change will really make a big difference in the allergy-inducing substances you inhale everyday. If you are unable to make this change, you should at least a vacuum every day.

You have to keep trying allergy relief methods until you find the right one for you. You should try medications ranging from oral to herbal remedies. For instance, saline sprays, eye drops, leukotriene blockers and nasal steroids are all options.

If you have allergies and a pet, it may be difficult to determine whether or not your pet is causing you allergy problems. In order to find out, have a doctor test you for an allergy to pet dander. You won’t have to re-home your pet, but you might need to make certain changes.

It’s very common for people to recommend humidifiers to allergy sufferers, as it can help moisten airways as people sleep. This may be a bad idea, since the moisture from the humidifier can settle in the carpet, encouraging mustiness and possibly mold. One alternative to a humidifier is a saline spray. These sprays help moisten the nasal passages.

When you avoid things that make you allergic your body thanks you by staying normal. However, suffering from allergies to pet dander or pollen can be a little harder to deal with. Use the advice you learned in this article and put an end to your allergy symptoms today.