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Health & Fitness

Community Update

The change of
season brings crisp days, chilly nights and unfortunately, fall allergies. Tree
pollen may get your nose itching and eyes watering in spring but something else
causes those symptoms in fall.  It could
be ragweed pollen (it can last into October), mold (piles of damp leaves and
wet basements), or dust mites.  Read on
to find out what allergies are, what can cause them, and how to ease your
symptoms.



What are allergies?



An allergic
reaction occurs when your body comes into contact with a foreign substance,
called an allergen (pollen, bee venom, etc.). 
Your body identifies this substance as harmful, even when it isn’t.  Then, when you come into contact with that
allergen again, it will react to it, causing allergy symptoms.

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Symptoms



Allergy
symptoms vary from person to person and depend on the particular allergy.  Some common symptoms include: itchy, watery
eyes; sneezing; runny nose; and congestion. 
These symptoms may seem like a cold, but allergy symptoms and cold symptoms
differ in two respects.  Colds generally
include a fever, whereas allergies do not, and colds generally last 7-10 days
while allergy symptoms may be present an entire season.

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5 Tips to reduce allergens



1. Keep
windows and doors closed – Restricting the amount of outside air that comes
into your home may help those with airborne allergen sensitivities.



2. Wash bedding and clothes
– Frequently wash bedding, clothes and other washable items in hot water to
help reduce the amount of dust mites and dander in the home.



3. Vacuum
often – Vacuuming the carpeted areas of your home can help eliminate common
allergens. Don’t forget to vacuum the drapes and stairs as well.   



4. Change
your air filter – Make sure to replace the air filter in your heating and cooling
unit.  Old filters tend to re-circulate
allergens back into the air.  Consider
purchasing a special filter designed specifically to reduce allergens in your home’s
air.



5. Take a
shower – Shower and change into clean clothes after spending much of the day
outside.  This will rinse pollen and dust
from your skin and hair.



Treatment



If your
seasonal allergies are generally mild, nasal sprays and oral antihistamines can
help manage the symptoms.  However, your
body may eventually build up tolerance to an over-the-counter (OTC)
medication.  If OTC treatments won’t
reduce your symptoms, it may be time to talk with a physician.  You may need a prescription or other
treatment.



By following
these tips, making a few lifestyle changes, and seeing a doctor, you can enjoy
the great outdoors, and indoors, with everyone else this fall.

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