If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you are definitely not alone. When it comes to dreadful times, the phrase “allergy season” is up there with “tax season”, “finals week”, and “the yearly visit with the in laws”. Allergies affect millions of Americans every year. Although there is no way to eliminate allergies altogether, there are some things you can do to avoid some of the most common allergens.
The main allergens include pollen from trees, grass and weeds, mold, animal dander, and dust. Allergies that occur in the spring often arise from tree pollen. Allergies in the summer are often from grass and weed pollen, and allergies in the fall are often from ragweed. Mold allergies are usually worse during humid and rainy weather because mold is more common where water collects. Proteins found in the skin, saliva, and urine of furry pets such as cats and dogs are allergens. Many allergens, such as dust mites, are in dust. They live on dead skin cells and other things found in house dust.
There are some things you can do to help avoid these common allergens. To avoid pollens, it’s good to shower at bedtime in order to wash off pollen in your skin or hair. Staying indoors as much as possible on dry or windy days may also reduce your allergies. You can minimize the amount of mold in your house by frequently washing shower curtains, windows, and other places where mold may grow. Opening doors and windows and using fans can increase air movement and prevent mold. Unfortunately the only way to avoid pet dander is to give away your pets, or stay away from other people’s as much as possible. No matter how cute Rover and Trixy are, they won’t help your allergies. As for dust mites, frequently cleaning carpets and curtains, and dusting appliances and other surfaces will reduce your allergies.
Also, remember that allergies can make you more susceptible to a catching a cold. Be sure to get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, avoid touching your eyes and nose, and wash your hands often.
If you are one of the many people suffering from these seasonal allergies, there are things you can do to lessen the severity of your symptoms. Follow these simple tips as best you can and the term “allergy season” won’t give you that sick feeling in your stomach anymore!
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Posts Tagged ‘Shower Curtains’
There are a variety of shower doors available to choose from today. A majority of people prefer to do away with the typical shower curtains they are so used to in favor of a door. Curtains have a tendency to dripping water onto the floor and will quickly develop mold if they are not maintained properly. Some people now choose to have a sliding shower door which may have aluminum frames and comes with transparent or semi-transparent glass doors.
If the shower space is too narrow for a standard sized glass door then you can get a sliding or bi-fold door Bi-fold doors that open inward are a very practical alternative as they stop water from trickling onto the floor. Most shower door frames are made of aluminum and need good care and cleaning to keep them in peak working condition.
Sometimes, you may find cleaning the shower door a real challenge. Unless proper care is taken, the shower door may develop either calcium or rust and lime deposit build-up. There are some things that you can do to keep your door sparkling clean and mold free. One tried and tested cleaning agent is common baking soda which people still use today.
Make a paste with baking soda and water and use it to clean the door; then wash the door with vinegar to get rid of the light abrasive mixture. For stubborn stains, try spraying the door with oven cleaner and leaving it on over night. This will make removing stubborn stains a lot easier. Follow this up with a coating of Rain-ex this will keep shower door bright and sparkling.
Take special care of the track on your shower door because this is a favorite place for mold to develop. Keep some old toothbrushes on hand to get into those difficult areas of the track. You can also use a vacuum cleaner to remove the hair and loose dirt that can often get trapped within the track.
Drench the track generously with a liquid cleaner then scrub it with a toothbrush; rinse by pouring water directly into the tracks. There are holes on the inside of tracks which permit the water to drain into the shower or tub, making cleaning a much easier task.
If you are finding that you’ve got leaks then you may need to replace the shower door sweep. The sweep is there to prevent water from escaping and running all over the bathroom floor. You can easily remove the old sweep by pulling it outward from the door. Once you have removed the old sweep, take it with you to the hardware store to ensure that you get the right size replacement.
If you face difficulty putting the new sweep in the track, then use some petroleum jelly to help it slide in more easily. If water is still leaking on the floor after you have replaced the sweep, then the shower itself may need re-caulking. Ensure that you take the time to maintain and you will have a beautiful shower door that will for ages.
Summary:
Cleaning a shower door can be a tough task. If proper maintenance is not done, your door can get calcium deposits or rust and lime build ups. There are many ways to keep the door sparkling clean and mold free.
The benefits and disadvantages of shower curtains or doors go beyond their outward appearance. While they contribute greatly to the overall look of your bathroom, they will also have an effect on the function. Some of the factors to take into consideration are your personal maintenance preferences, budget, and long term plans.
Shower curtains are affordable and easy to replace. They are available at almost all department stores and many other places. They come in a vast array of colors, textures, and styles. If you are looking to change the theme of your bathroom, the right shower curtain can definitely contribute to the look that you want. You can even custom make your own shower curtain to match the style of your bathroom fixtures.
If you want your bathroom to look neater when houseguests visit, the shower curtain can be closed to hide the bath tub or left open to show off the brilliantly gleaming porcelain. Unfortunately, shower curtains need to be thoroughly maintained in order to prevent mold and mildew from breeding on their surface.
When carelessly left outside of the bathtub, shower curtains can also drip on the floor and make a mess. They also aren’t considered to be as innovative or as fashionable in a modern bathroom as shower doors.
Skin Allergies
Red, bumpy, scaly, itchy, swollen skin….any of these symptoms can signify an allergic skin condition.
These skin problems can be caused by a range of different things: animals, plants, medicines, foods, jewelery or even your clothes.
Generally these attacks that are brought on by the unfortunate intersection of allergies and skin rashes fall into one of two categories: dermal allergies and systemic allergies that present as skin rashes.
What are the most common allergens?
Pollen from trees, grass and weeds. Allergies that occur in the spring (late April and May) are often due to tree pollen.
Mold. Mold is common where water tends to collect, such as shower curtains, window moldings and damp basements.
Causes Skin Allergies
Dust mites, cockroaches, molds and animal dander, are examples of year-around allergens.
Tree, grass and ragweed pollens are primarily seasonal outdoor allergens. Seasonal pollens depend on wind for cross-pollination. Plants that depend on insect pollination, such as goldenrod and dandelions, do not usually cause allergic rhinitis.
Allergy is caused by an oversensitive immune system, which leads to a misdirected immune response. The immune system normally protects the body against harmful substances, such as bacteria and viruses. It reacts to substances (allergens) that are generally harmless and in most people do not cause a problem.
Grass and tree pollens
Dust mites (living in and feeding on house dust)
Food (cow’s milk, hen eggs, wheat, soya, seafood, fruit and nuts)
Fungal or mould spores (in the bathroom and other damp areas)
Poison ivy is the classic example of acute ACD in North America. ACD from poison ivy is characterized by linear streaks of acute dermatitis that develop where plant parts have been in direct contact with the skin.
Symptoms Skin Allergies
Pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, and some skin cysts are markers of acne. Get up to speed on acne symptoms
Allergic shiners – the dark circles children with allergies often get under their eyes
An allergic salute common in children – the upward tilt of the nose with a crease on top, caused by the child’s continual upward swiping at an itchy nose.
Another skin condition, urticaria (hives), is often considered a symptom of allergies, but not all urticaria is caused by an allergic response. Allergic urticaria is often related to drug, food, or latex allergies, but many times it is not known what triggers the urticaria.
wheezing, noisy breathing or shortness of breath
rash or redness of the skin
loss of consciousness
Treatment Skin Allergies
Antihistamines like diphenhydramine, chlortrimeton, or loratadine (Clari tin, Clari tin RediTabs, Al avert); and moisturizing lotions.
Keep windows and doors closed during heavy pollination seasons.
Use the air conditioner in the house and car.
Rid the home of indoor plants and other sources of mildew.
Gargle with warm salt water to help reduce swelling and relieve discomfort:
Gargle at least once each hour with 1 tsp (5 g) of salt dissolved in 8 fl oz of warm water.
Use acaricide (a chemical that kills house-dust mites) or a tannic acid solution (solution that neutralizes the allergen in mite droppings).
