Summer often is a peak season for persistent cold-like symptoms triggered by indoor mold. Here are tips for easing the misery:
Recognize the signs. Mold allergies can cause an itchy or runny nose, watery eyes, congestion, sneezing, wheezing and rashes. Doctors can test for the allergy.
Know where mold grows. Spores thrive in damp, dark environments, which make bathrooms and laundry rooms prime spots.
Lower humidity at home. Central air conditioning and dehumidifiers are effective; change filters regularly. If you have window A/C units, check them often for moisture condensation. Don't use humidifiers or vaporizers in the rooms of anyone with a mold allergy.
Focus on the bathroom. Install an exhaust fan or open windows after baths and showers to help get rid of moisture. Clean shower walls regularly with a mix of bleach and water, and remove carpets or rugs.
Also target the laundry room. Again, open a window and don't put a rug on the floor. Also keep the washer lid open between loads to help dry it.
Take out the trash. Kitchen cans filled with food waste are hot spots for mold. Another important chore: vacuuming any carpets regularly.
Fix leaks. Repair leaky roofs and plumbing fixtures as soon as you realize the problem.
Move the furniture. Keeping large items such as dressers and headboards a few inches away from the wall -- rather than pressed up against it -- helps improve air circulation.
Check your food. Look for signs of mold before eating. Consider avoiding foods more likely to contain mold, including cheese, mushrooms, vinegar, sour cream and pickled meats.
Get rid of free-standing water. Dump water from pots, birdbaths and other spots where water pools near your home. Sneezing once in a while is not a big deal, right? We all experience this from time to time. But when sneezing bouts increases considerably, then it can become quite irritating. Whether it is cold or a sudden allergy to some distinct smell, even a small trigger can make you sneeze incessantly. It's also greatly unavoidable and causes great discomfort. Sneezing is a natural mechanism that helps to clear away irritants from the nose. Whenever a foreign matter such as dirt, pollen, smoke, or dust, enters the nostrils, the sensitive lining of our nose may start getting irritated or tickle. This causes us to sneeze to clear the air passage and remove the dust particles. In simpler words, sneezing is our body’s first defence against foreign bacteria. It is a reflex action, which stops on its own after a while. However, in some cases, a constant bout of sneezing may make us extremely uncomfortable and leave us gasping for breath.
Honey
Steam
Avoid large meals
Saying something weird
Tickling the roof of the mouth
Don't look directly into the light
Blow your nose Pinch your nose This is another method to stop a sneeze just before it happens. When you feel that you are about to sneeze, pinch your nose at the nostrils as if you have smelled something bad. You can also pinch your nose just below the eyebrows. Both the tricks can work. Take some vitamin C Citrus fruits like oranges and lemons contain a chemical called flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants. Flavonoids can help to build immunity and help you fight unwanted bacteria causing cold and other allergies. You may even add vitamin C supplements to your diet, it is as beneficial as natural fruit. Vitamin C may not provide you immediate relief, but may potentially reduce sneezing over time. Amla or Indian gooseberry can be another great addition to the diet. It is also rich in vitamin C and contains powerful antioxidants. Eucalyptus Oil Sniffing eucalyptus oil is another great remedy for sneezing due to dust allergy. This essential oil is loaded with a compound called citronella, which works as an expectorant (promotes the secretion of sputum by the air passages) and has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to your handkerchief and keep sniffing it. This will help in clearing the nasal passage and will remove the dust particle. The bottom line Sneezing is a temporary issue, which goes on its own after a while. It is just one of your body’s natural defence mechanisms to stop foreign particles from entering the body. It prevents harmful particles from entering the lungs and causing serious problems. Mostly, you do not need to take any medication for it. In case it is bothering you a lot then you can try home remedies. If it does not go away on its own after two days then talk to a medical professional.
As someone who has struggled with a runny nose and sneezing most of my adult life, I know all-too-well how debilitating it can be. Whether it’s from allergies, hayfever, or a nasty cold – the effect on your productivity, enjoyment, comfort, and even your relationships make it worth doing whatever it takes to return your nose to normality. Here are some tips that have worked wonders for me. I hope they offer you similar relief! But first – a handy tool for nose blowing and sneeze stiflingWhile you’re seeking the perfect remedy, you’re going to want something handy to keep that runny nose in check. Tissues are not just bad for the planet; they can also be very rough on sensitive nasal skin. In my university days, I switched to handkerchiefs, which were much softer and being reusable, a lot kinder on the environment. While trying to work out the best way to fold them hygienically, I had the idea for HankyBook. The super-soft cotton “pages” are ideal for nose blowing and out of control runny noses. Relief!They fit perfectly in any pocket or bag, and the outer covers prevent germs from spreading! Try one out – you won’t be sorry. How to stop a runny nose with home remediesIf you can’t (or don’t want) to go to the doctor or the pharmacy, you’ll be pleased to know that many remedies are actually water-based. Such as: A hot showerThat’s right, a beautifully warm shower isn’t just great for the outside of your body, it can also help clear up the inside of a stuffy or runny nose. The singing is optionalThe key is steam, which is why a cold shower isn’t going to do much. Steam will reduce inflammation and thin out mucus in your nasal passages. A short term fix to get some much-needed sinus relief. Speaking of steam…If you don’t want or need to take a shower (kudos for not wasting water unnecessarily), then an alternative option is to heat up a bowl of water. You can get the water to a boil; however, it’s not necessary, and it’s actually better that the water and the steam aren’t too hot. Lean your head over the bowl with a towel draped over your head and breathe in the steam (through your nose!) deeply. If you can manage 10-20 minutes, you should start feeling much better. A solid blow (on your new HankyBook!) after you’re done will help to clear your nasal cavities. Hydrate the snot awayAnother use of water is to simply drink lots of it. By hydrating, you help to think out mucus, making it easier to manage – rather out than in, as they say. Tea is another great solution – you get the hydration, the steam, and a lovely taste. Personally, I like honey, ginger, chamomile, and lemon. Food can also helpIt’s not just water that can be your nose’s savior – spicy food can have a similarly positive impact. Cook up a nice strong curry and, sure, your nose will be even runnier at first, but it should eventually help to clear your nasal cavity. Spice is NiceAnd if it doesn’t – well you just had a lovely curry. Win-win! Pillow fightWhat is worse than a runny or blocked nose keeping you up all night? Nothing. Nothing is worse. So, while I would suggest using some of the methods above before bedtime, I also recommend using a second pillow. By raising your head, it will help your sinuses drain. How to stop sneezing?Are you in the grip of sneezing fits as well as a runny nose? If only all sneezes looked this cuteWell, the first thing to check (sorry about this) is the color and consistency of your mucus. If it is dark and thick, you’ve got a cold. If it is clear and watery, the culprit is likely allergies. Pollen and dust are the significant drivers of sneezing and runny noses due to allergies, but food can also be to blame. Sneezing is your body’s way of getting rid of germs and other irritants like pollen and dust. If you’re interested to learn more about sneezing, Huffpo’s Sneezing Facts article is a good place to learn more. But if you don’t care about the why and just want to know how to get relief – here are some tips to ease the suffering, particularly during the pollen season. Stay insideIf the pollen count is high, and the day is warm and windy – you could be in for a day of reaching for your HankyBook every 30 seconds. Sometimes it’s best just to stay indoors and keep the doors and windows closed. The mornings through to lunchtime are the worst, so if you must head out into the world, the late afternoon and evening should be a lot friendlier on your poor nose. Spring clean oftenDust mites and mold are also potentially bothersome to allergy sufferers. So make sure you dust and clean often, and keep an eye out for moldy spots, particularly in winter. I liked to get easy to clean furniture, which made the cleaning process that much easier. Whether you go that far, it all depends on how badly you’re suffering. Let’s talk about drugs, babyActually, let’s not. I think all I’ll say is that there is certainly a range of options available if the natural methods aren’t helping. If you have congestion and cold-like symptoms for like a solid week – please get your butt to the doctor. There are shots, pills, and nasal sprays that CAN help. Just make sure you follow the doctor’s instructions on how to use it. I remember a nasal spray I used worked wonders – almost immediate relief – but you couldn’t take it for more than a few days. Otherwise, it would damage your nasal cavity and actually making it MORE likely you’d suffer from a runny nose. Wrapping upI hope that some of the natural methods bring relief to your stubborn nose. And of course, that you bin the tissue and give HankyBooks (or even normal hankies) a try. It was undoubtedly a life-saver for me. |