Tips To Manage Allergies

Lifestyle changes are essential to manage allergies in lung patients.

Lifestyle management strategies

• Keep windows & doors closed to keep pollen & dust out for cleaner indoors

• Limit outdoor activities when pollen, dust, or air pollution levels are high

• If you must go outside, consider wearing a face mask

• Choose "wet mopping" over dusting as it traps allergens better & prevents their spread & resettlement in the room

• Clean or replace the air filters in your home appliances & automobiles every month, especially during allergy season

• Change clothes & remove shoes immediately after being outside to prevent dust from spreading indoors

• Bathe before going to bed to remove dust particles from your body; be sure to wash your hair

• Use air purifiers to filter & remove allergens from the air & improve indoor air quality

• Regularly clean house curtains to remove collected dust, pollen, & other allergens that can cling to the fabric, ensuring a cleaner & healthier indoor environment

Management of Respiratory Allergies

• It is essential to effectively manage respiratory allergies to improve quality of life, prevent disease progression, & lessen the chances of allergic rhinitis from developing into asthma.

• Various measures are available to keep allergic rhinitis & asthma under control.

• Nasal sprays, nasal drops or oral antihistaminic medications help relieve symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, or itchy, watery eyes

• Decongestant sprays relieve blocked & stuffy nose, however, overuse should be avoided

• Inhalers too can be used to deliver drugs in much fewer doses & directly into the air passages resulting in faster disease control

• Inhalation therapy offers numerous benefits over tablets with their rapid the onset of action & negligible side effects

• The inhalers are equipped with drugs to effectively reduce airway swelling & inflammation while also relieving bronchial spasm

• Allergen immunotherapy or allergy shots is another treatment option for the long- term that helps reduce symptoms for many people suffering from allergies

• Allergy shots help reduce sensitivity to allergens & often lead to lasting relief of allergy symptoms even after completion of treatment

• Guided self-management helps patients identify the start of exacerbation of their lung & nasal symptoms helping them to act promptly according to the treatment plan in consultation with their doctor for optimal symptom control & overall management

SUMMARY

• Allergies arise from the immune system's misidentification of harmless substances

• Respiratory allergies consist of allergic rhinitis & allergic asthma, with symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes

• Management include nasal sprays & inhalers for rapid symptom control

• Prevention involves trigger avoidance, clean environment, & regular check-ups