People with allergies should avoid keeping pets. If you really cannot do that, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology suggests: not letting pets into the bedroom, frequently vacuuming rooms where pets are active, and washing your pet weekly.
Stop your mouth from causing trouble
Try to eat less processed or refined foods, minimize sugar intake, and avoid high-fat, high-calorie foods.
Check if the food you eat is rich in the following nutrients that can reduce the risk of allergies: omega-3 fatty acids (in fish like salmon and sardines), protein (including from chicken, fish, and legumes, but soybeans are a common allergen), and antioxidants (fruits and vegetables, for example, green vegetables contain vitamin C, and dark-colored vegetables contain beta-carotene). Adults can take 400 international units of vitamin E per day.
In addition, people with allergies should not drink ice water. Traditional Chinese Medicine even advocates not eating too many "cooling" foods to avoid stimulating and triggering allergies.
Drink enough water
When your body is dehydrated, the cells in the mucous membranes of your respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts will shrink, creating gaps between cells. This allows foreign substances like pollen to penetrate the cells and cause allergic reactions.
Train to adapt to cold and hot environments
Moderate exercise can activate your immune cells and boost your immune system. Swimming is recommended by many doctors. This is because many allergic reactions are not necessarily caused by dust mites but are related to weather changes and large temperature differences between morning and evening. Swimming can help you adapt to cold water, temperature, and humidity; it can also improve your lung capacity and prevent allergic diseases caused by poor lung function.
Pregnant women have great responsibilities
Expectant mothers with a family history of allergies should avoid eating nuts like peanuts and pine nuts, as these are common allergens. A baby's immature immune system might overreact to these allergens.
After the baby is born, breastfeeding is recommended. Breast milk is rich in antibodies, which can enhance a baby's immune capabilities.
Research has found that for infants under one year old whose parents have allergic diseases, the chance of developing allergies around the age of five is one-third for those who were breastfed or fed a hypoallergenic formula, compared to those who were not.
Keep your mucous membranes moist
If you have respiratory allergies, your mucous membranes are probably easily irritated and sensitive.
A natural nasal spray can be made by pouring a cup of filtered, lukewarm water into a spray bottle, mixing in half a teaspoon of salt and a small amount of baking soda. To use it, press your right nostril closed and spray into your left nostril, then switch sides.
Utilize steam
If your allergies cause nasal congestion, you can inhale water vapor for 15 to 20 minutes twice a day. The steam can help thin thick nasal mucus and soothe dry, irritated nasal membranes. You can do this by sitting in a bathroom with the hot water faucet running or by using a steam inhaler.
Relax in your work and life
Stress affects your body's hormone secretion, weakens your immune system, and can trigger various allergic reactions, so you must learn to live a more relaxed life. No matter how busy or tired you are, don't forget to use some methods to relieve stress. Getting enough sleep and having positive, moderate social interactions are some of these methods.