Allergy Advice

BEING HEALTHY BEGINS AT HOME

Millions of people suffer year-round from allergy symptoms caused by indoor allergens found at home. Although it’s impossible to get rid of them entirely, here are a few tips to avoid indoor allergens:

Dust Mites:

- protect pillows, mattresses etc. with special dust-proof covers. clean them frequently.
- avoid rubber or kapok-stuffed bedding.
- limit stuffed animals in bedrooms.

Pets:

- restrict the pet to a few rooms or outside the house. at least keep the bedroom pet-free.
- bathe your pet weekly and ensure to wash hands after petting

Mold:

- clean bathrooms, kitchens, and basements regularly and keep them well aired
- do not use humidifiers

Cockroaches:

- keep your kitchen clean and wash dishes promptly
- avoid leaving food out. store it in sealed containers
- empty bins frequently
- set roach traps and seal cracks to prevent infestation

Irritants:

- avoid tobacco and don’t allow anyone to smoke in your home or car. if you do, try to quit
- stay away from strong odours like perfume, hair spray and paint
- protect your nose and mouth from cold air with a scarf wash hands
- wash hands frequently to prevent colds and infections

DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE CLASS STARTS

Your child’s school should be informed of any allergies. talk to teachers, coaches and the school nurse for dealing with an allergic emergency and make sure your child has adequate medication available through them.

Food safety:

- tell the teacher about foods that cause problems for your child
- it is also important to teach your child about what foods might trigger allergies

Asthma and physical education:

- in case of asthma, ensure your child is taking controller asthma medications regularly
- children can participate in the sport of their choice, but do consult your doctor about it

Claritine™ and other Anti Histamines products are not indicated in patients with asthma, please consult your physician or pharmacist for medical advice in such cases.

Dust irritation:

- if needed, your child may need to sit away from the blackboard to avoid irritation from chalk dust

TRAVEL, BUT DON’T LET ALLERGIES GO FAR

Don’t let your relaxing break become a harrowing ordeal. Many don’t travel outside the country and others avoid certain types of transportations such as planes and boats.

Prepare Your First-Aid Travel Kit To Travel Safe And Healthy:

- Have your rescue medicines with you at all times for emergencies
- Keep them handy in your carry-on when travelling by air
- Retain medicines in their original packaging to avoid security trouble
- Keep your epinephrine pen/injector with you in case of an allergic reaction to airline food
- Secure your doctor’s contact number and prescription

AHEAD OF YOUR ALLERGIES

Early testing, diagnosing which allergens affect you and considering their symptoms is vital to help prevent and treat your allergies.34 follow these tips to prevent and manage a few common allergies:

FOOD ALLERGIES

- carefully check ingredient labels of food products to identify triggers- avoid rubber or kapok-stuffed bedding
- check if your allergens are known by other names
- consult an allergist to take skin-prick, blood test or oral food test
- the allergist may prescribe you medicines after the test

Claritine™ and other Anti Histamines products are not indicated in patients with food allergies, please consult your physician or pharmacist for medical advice in such cases.

Allergic rhinitis

- keep windows closed during high pollen periods use air conditioning in your home and car
- wear glasses or sunglasses when outdoors to protect from pollen
- use ‘mite-proof’ bedding covers and a dehumidifier
- wash your hands after petting any animal
- visit your doctor for prescription medicines or purchase over the counter medication like decongestants and antihistamines

Hives

- avoid known triggers like pet dander, insect stings, bacterial infection etc.
- a specialist might help you identify your triggers and prescribe medications
- if the hives are not very severe, some over-the-counter medications may also help