If you are like me, this weather has really been messing with your allergies. From Zyrtec, Clariton, nasal sprays, nettie pots, I’ve been trying to ease my constant headaches, nasal congestion and more. I ran across this post from Prevention.com “8 Ways to Outsmart Your Allergies.” The article has really great advice that I’d like to share you with:

1) Watch for nonseasonal allergies.

The more allergens you’re exposed to at a given time, the higher your allergenic load and the worse your symptoms.

If you’re allergic to cats and dust mites in addition to pollen and mold, for example, visiting a cat-owning friend on a summer evening can make that load virtually unbearable. Here are some tips to help you limit your exposure to these top offenders:

* Dust mites. Cover flooring with washable throw rugs instead of carpets, which, like blankets, down comforters, and curtains, are favorite mite habitats. Launder rugs, bed linens and curtains in hot water (more than 130°F) to kill mites. Dust often with a damp cloth. Get zippered, allergy proof covers for your mattress and pillows.
* Dog and cat dander. If pet owners come to visit, be sure to vacuum couches or chairs they’ve used after they leave. Their clothes may carry their furry friends’ dander, which can be deposited in your home and aggravate symptoms.
* Indoor mold. Get a dehumidifier to dry out your basement, and use exhaust fans in other areas prone to dampness and mold, such as the kitchen and bathroom. Wash bath mats often, and keep houseplants to a minimum (mold loves potting soil).

2)Be a clothes snob.

Shun synthetic materials for natural ones like cotton—your nose and eyes will thank you.
Who knew? When synthetic fabrics rub against one another, they create an electrical charge that attracts pollen, which, as it turns out, is also electrically charged, says Gailen D. Marshall, MD, PhD, director of clinical immunology and the division of allergy at the University of Mississippi. Natural fibers such as cotton also breathe better, so they stay drier and less hospitable to moisture-loving mold.

Toss just-washed clothes and bedding in the dryer—don’t hang them outside on a clothing line. Avoid contacts when your eyes feel itchy, and feel free to splurge on a pair of jumbo sunglasses—they’ll help shield your peepers from airborne irritants.

3) Give yourself a good scrubbing.

Showering more often may keep allergy invasions at bay.

While you’re outside, pollen and mold spores can parachute onto your hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, and skin. To give them the boot and minimize your exposure, do the following once you cross the threshold: Wash your hands, rinse your eyes, and shower (before bed, or right away if you’ve done yard work).

Same goes for your pet. Even if you’re not allergic to your pup, he can become an allergy magnet after running around outdoors. Brush off his fur before you give him free reign of the house again.

4) Consider a stronger treatment.

OTC meds like antihistamines and decongestants can significantly relieve symptoms, but if your nose is still running, it may be time for an upgrade.

If you’ve got a faucet for a nose and are constantly congested, ask your doctor about a steroid nasal spray, which relieves these symptoms better than an antihistamine, says David Shulan, MD, FAAAI, vice president of Certified Allergy & Asthma Consultants, a practice in Albany, NY. The catch: You need to use it on a regular basis, and it can take up to 2 weeks to have an effect. A spritz every once in a while is useless, Shulan says.

If pollen, ragweed, or dust mites are your main problem, think about getting allergy shots (immunotherapy). Injections of very small, safe amounts of the chemicals you’re allergic to will help your immune system become resistant to the allergens, so your body doesn’t launch a full-out attack every time you inhale a pollen particle. You get shots once or twice a week for several months in gradually increasing doses, and periodic maintenance shots after that for 3 to 5 years.

“Not enough people who could benefit from allergy shots consider them,” says John R. Cohn, MD, chief of the adult allergy section at Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University. “They may help if you don’t respond to usual treatments because they reduce your sensitivity to allergens instead of only treating symptoms. I find that about 80% of patients see an 80% improvement.” Unfortunately, the shots are not as effective for most mold allergies, says Shulan.

5)Sip green tea.

The wonder cup just got even more wonderful. Yep, heart-healthy, cancer-quashing green tea may battle allergies too.

Japanese researchers found that EGCG, the abundant antioxidant compound in green tea, may help stop your body from mounting an immune response to a wide range of allergens, including pollen, pet dander, and dust. Steeping two or three cups a day of green tea helps bolster the body’s defenses, especially as you age, suggests Lester A. Mitscher, PhD, a professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Kansas and author of The Green Tea Book: China’s Fountain of Youth. Source: 8 Ways to Outsmart Your Allergies from  Prevention.com. Click here to continue reading.

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