10 Allergy Triggers You May Not Be Aware Of

Jun 14, 2018

Want to know how to get through allergy season? You can start by steering clear of these items and triggers. While you may know to stay away from ragweed, mold, and dust, there are other items you're likely using every day that could be causing your stuffy nose and itchy eyes. 

Here are 10 of the aggravators to stay away from this season: 

While stress is not a direct cause of allergies, it could worsen your symptoms. According to an Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, if you're stressed, your allergies are likely to flare up more often. During stressful periods, your body releases more cortisol, which makes your body more inflamed, as if you were coming in contact with an allergy. This could make your irritated, which makes the symptoms even more severe. 

If you have allergies, it may be best to avoid beer and wine. Red wine in particular can cause rashes and a stuffy nose and fermented drinks release histamine, which is the same chemical that is released in your body when you come in contact with pet dander or pollen. Histamine is also present in smoked meats and cheeses like Gouda and Swiss. 

Smoking can cause serious health problems like lung disease and cancer, but smoking can also make your seasonal allergies worse. The chemicals present in cigarettes compromise the immune system, so you'll be even more sensitive to mold spores and pollen. This means you should also stay away from second hand smoke, especially if you already suffer from allergies. 

Perfumed products and scented candles, as well as laundry detergent and dryer sheets with fragrance can cause sneezing, itchy skin, water eyes and congestion. Research reveals that a third of people in the U.S. are sensitive to scented products, so it may be best for you to use unscented cleaning products, particularly during allergy season. 

If you spend a lot of time in the pool, you know that chlorine can redden your eyes and irritate your skin. If you have allergies, you'll be especially sensitive to chlorine, and this chemical can trigger your allergies. Make sure the area where you're swimming is getting plenty of air to reduce your symptoms. 

The local grocery or drugstore has several allergy medications, including nasal sprays, antihistamines and decongestants. These can help to relieve your symptoms, but they have to be used correctly. Start taking the medication before allergy season, and consult your doctor to ensure you're taking the right medications for your specific allergies. 

You may close your windows to keep pollen from getting in your home, but the plants you have indoors could be causing your allergies as well. House plants release pollen as well, and have a tendency to collect dust and mold, which can also make your allergies flare up. Common house plants that can cause allergy symptoms include ivy, palm trees, yucca and Ficus. Reduce the number of plants in your home and keep the plants in areas that are ventilated well. Inspect the leave for mold and wipe away any debris that collects on the leaves. 

According to scientists, nitrogen oxide and other chemicals in the ozone that are connected to climate change can make allergies worse. Christopher Kampf PhD from Germany's Max Planck Institute states that research proves that chemical chances of proteins that cause allergies could give people around the world more allergy symptoms. It's virtually impossible to avoid all outdoor pollution, but you can use air filters in your home to clean the air when you're indoors. 

If you notice that your skin is itchy or red after wearing certain clothing, this could mean that you're sensitive to the dyes and chemicals in fabrics, or to the metal buckle or zipper on your outfit. This could lead to contact dermatitis, but you can prevent this by staying away from clothing items you're allergic to. 

When the weather is warm and sunny, you'll likely want to spend more time outdoors. However, this weather makes it easier for your allergies to flare up. Plants give off more pollen when the weather is hot, and while rain can wash away some of the pollen, a storm can stir up the pollen. On summer days when there's a high pollen count, stay inside as much as possible. Keep the windows closed and use the air conditioner so you won't be exposed to outdoor pollen. 

Know someone who suffers from allergies - let them know about these little-known triggers now!

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!