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iVillage.com: 10 Things That May Be Making Your Allergies Worse

At least 10 percent of the population is allergic to animals, and up to 30 percent of people suffer allergic reactions to their furry friends, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. If you’re one of them, don’t think that simply not having a dog or cat yourself will save you from symptoms. “Pet dander is extremely sticky, so if your friend visits and she has a pet, she may transfer dander from herself onto your furniture,” says David Rosenstreich, M.D., director of allergy and immunology at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, who adds that allergic symptoms can develop hours, and even days, after exposure.

Allergy Easer: Dr. Rosenstritch suggests you vacuum your upholstered furniture and rugs right after you have pet-owning company, preferably with a HEPA filter-containing vac (which remove 99.97 percent of airborne particles, according to the United States Department of Energy).

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“Pollen and animal dander are sticky; so when you encounter them, they often get trapped on your body and hair,” says Eli Meltzer, M.D., co-director of the Allergy and Asthma Medical Group and Research Center in San Diego. Tally up a typical eight-hour workday plus some evening time at home and you can potentially shore up quite an accumulation of allergens on your body, he says. Hitting the sheets without showering then gives these agitating compounds up close and personal access to your eyes and nose while you sleep. “And this lengthy nighttime exposure can spur allergic symptoms like a stuffy nose, leaving you exhausted, and often puffy-faced, the next day,” says Dr. Meltzer.

Allergy Easer: Hop in the shower before you hit the sack -- or, at the very least, change into new pajamas and wipe your skin down with a wet washcloth, advises Meltzer. “If that doesn’t work, try taking an antihistamine a few hours before bed to fend off allergens and their sleep-sapping symptoms,” he says.

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“Even if you do everything you can to allergen-proof your home, you’re still going to pick up dust, mold and dander on your shoes as soon as you walk out the door,” says Meltzer. And when you wear your shoes in the house, those particles get released into the air, increasing the odds that you'll breathe them in.

Allergy Easer: Take your shoes off the minute you walk in the door, advises Meltzer, and give allergens the brush by wiping the bottoms of your shoes with a damp paper towel at least once a week. Another smart strategy: Lay a doormat at your front door. Together, scientists say these tips can reduce the amount of sneeze-inducing particles in your home -- like dust and dander as well as dangerous chemicals like pesticides and lead -- by more than 50 percent.

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The average person spends nine hours a night in their bedroom -- and that’s nine hours to breathe in particles that end up embedded in your carpets and rugs, says Meltzer. “In addition to trapping dust mites, dander and other allergens, these items also hold moisture, making it more likely that you’ll have mold in your bedroom,” he explains.

Allergy Easer: Unless you plan on vacuuming twice a day, stick with rug-free hardwood floors, advises Meltzer. Not willing to part with your carpet? Steam clean your carpets at least every six months to remove symptom-spurring dust mites and mold spores, he says.

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Sip ‘n sneeze: Scientists say alcohol can raise the risk of seasonal allergy symptoms by three percent for every additional alcoholic beverage consumed each week. Why? “Beer, wine and liquor all contain histamine, a chemical that naturally sets off allergy symptoms,” explains Gary Gross, M.D., head of allergy and immunology at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. Wine and beer contain sulfites, which are chemical compounds known to spur symptoms like a stuffy nose. Researchers also recently discovered that wine's grape fermentation contains glycoproteins, sugar-coated proteins that can cause the immune system to create allergic reactions to things like dust mite and ragweed.

Allergy Easer: If you enjoy the occasional cocktail, glass of wine or beer, simply take a non-drowsy antihistamine before you imbibe, recommends Dr. Gross. Vino fan? Opt for white wine over red, which tends to be lower in symptom-spurring sulfites, advises Dr. Rosenstreich, or select a wine that’s clearly labeled low-sulfite.

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Because they tend to be warm and moist, gyms are mold magnets -- and about 25 percent of people with allergies are allergic to mold, according to The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Unfortunately, exercising outdoors instead of at the gym comes with its own problems: “You’ll suck in pollen and other allergens, particularly during warmer months,” says Meltzer.

Allergy Easer: At the gym, try to spend minimal time -- think five to ten minutes, tops -- in the locker room and sauna, which are extremely moist and most likely to hold mold, says Gross. “If your allergies seem to be bad during or just after a workout, take a non-drowsy antihistamine an hour before you plan to break a sweat,” he advises. “If you’re still coming home from the gym feeling miserable, it may be a sign that your facility is not well-ventilated and has a lot of mold, in which case you should consider switching to another gym.”

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Another reason to pass on polyester: Experts say synthetic fabrics possess a static charge that attracts pollen more than natural fibers do. Besides, natural fibers like wool and cotton also “breathe” better, explains Meltzer, meaning they stay drier and are therefore less likely to attract and hold moisture-loving, allergy-inducing mold spores.

Allergy Easer: Trade polyester, nylon and rayon duds for cotton, cashmere and wool. Not only does this apparel attract fewer allergens, “many natural fabrics like cotton can also be washed in warm or hot water, which nip allergens like dust mites,” says Meltzer. Have a lot of ‘dry clean only’ duds? Don’t fret: This process also effectively zaps allergens.

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Perfumes, including the scents found in most candles, can irritate the nasal passages, as can the soot that candles produce, says Meltzer. “That’s a problem, because the more inflamed your nose and sinuses are, the more responsive you are to allergens.”

Allergy Easer: If you rely on candles to set the mood, choose unscented soy versions rather than the paraffin variety. Studies show that they produce up to 90 percent less airborne byproducts. Another idea: Add a pleasant aroma to your home (without spurring allergies) by simmering one sliced orange, a tablespoon of cinnamon and two cups of water on the stove for 30 minutes.

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Feeling frazzled and fried? Recent research shows that stress hormones may stimulate the production of ImmunoglobulinE, an antibody that triggers sneezing, itchy eyes and other uncomfortable allergic symptoms, says Meltzer.

Allergy Easer: To stay calm and minimize sniffles, Meltzer suggests squeezing in a soothing activity like yoga. Studies show that doing at least one hour-long yoga session weekly can reduce allergy symptoms by as much as 60 percent.

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Living in the 'burbs or a big city doesn’t protect you from allergies; in fact, the opposite is true. “You’re actually at a higher risk for allergies than someone who lives on a farm,” explains Meltzer. “That’s because pollutants increase the allergenicity of pollens, increasing the likelihood that patients will react to them adversely with symptoms. If that wasn’t enough, pollutants aggravate airways that are already inflamed from allergies; it’s like pouring salt into an open wound.”

Allergy Easer: Shut out symptom-inducers by keeping your windows closed and running air conditioning (which filters out many pollutants and particles), and by using an air filter in your house, recommends Meltzer.

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