Allergies: Care Instructions

Overview

Allergies occur when your body's defense system (immune system) overreacts to certain substances (allergens). The immune system treats a harmless allergen as if it were a harmful invader. Many things can make this happen. Things like pollens, dust, animal dander, and mold may trigger an allergic reaction.

Allergies can be mild or severe. Mild allergies can be managed with home treatment. But medicine may be needed to prevent problems.

Managing your allergies is an important part of staying healthy. Your doctor may suggest that you have allergy testing to help find out what is causing your allergies.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• If you have been told by your doctor that dust or dust mites are causing your allergy, decrease the dust around your bed:
  • Wash sheets, pillowcases, and other bedding in hot water every week.
  • Use dust-proof covers for pillows, duvets, and mattresses. Avoid plastic covers because they tear easily and do not "breathe." Wash as instructed on the label.
  • Do not use any blankets and pillows that you do not need.
  • Use blankets that you can wash in your washing machine.
  • Consider removing drapes and carpets, which attract and hold dust, from your bedroom.
• If you are allergic to dust and mites, do not use home humidifiers. Your doctor can suggest ways you can control dust and mites.
• Look for signs of cockroaches. Cockroaches cause allergic reactions. Use cockroach baits to get rid of them. Then, clean your home well. Cockroaches like areas where grocery bags, newspapers, empty bottles, or cardboard boxes are stored. Do not keep these inside your home, and keep trash and food containers sealed. Seal off any spots where cockroaches might enter your home.
• If you are allergic to mold, get rid of furniture, rugs, and drapes that smell musty. Check for mold in the bathroom.
• If you are allergic to outdoor pollen or mold spores, use air-conditioning. Change or clean all filters every month. Keep windows closed.
• If you are allergic to pollen, stay inside when pollen counts are high. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter or a double-thickness filter at least two times each week.
• Stay inside when air pollution is bad. Avoid paint fumes, perfumes, and other strong odors.
• Avoid conditions that make your allergies worse. Stay away from smoke. Do not smoke or vape or let anyone else smoke or vape in your home. Do not use fireplaces or wood-burning stoves.
• If you are allergic to pet dander, change the air filter in your furnace every month. Use high-efficiency filters. Keep pets outside or out of your bedroom. Old carpet and cloth furniture can hold a lot of animal dander. You may need to replace them.
• If your doctor recommends over-the-counter medicines to relieve symptoms, take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.
• Use saline (saltwater) nasal washes. This can help keep your nasal passages open and wash out mucus and allergens.
  • You can buy saline nose washes at a grocery store or drugstore. Follow the instructions on the package.
  • You can make your own at home. Add 1 teaspoon of non-iodized salt and 1 teaspoon of baking soda to 2 cups of distilled or boiled and cooled water. Fill a squeeze bottle or a nasal cleansing pot (such as a neti pot) with the nasal wash. Then put the tip into your nostril, and lean over the sink. With your mouth open, gently squirt the liquid. Repeat on the other side.

When should you call for help?

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

• You have new or worse symptoms.
• Your symptoms are interfering with your daily activities, sleep, school, or work.
• You have questions about medicines or allergy testing.
• You do not get better as expected.