Healthy Tips For Better Life

Cold, Flu Or Allergies?

Winter is my favorite time of year. It might help that I've lived in Southern California for the last 28 years, and winter here doesn't usually involve a lot of ice and snow. However, no matter where you are for winter, allergens are waiting to trip you up. Unfortunately most people don't think of allergies when the sneezing starts.

A virus will usually present at least a low grade fever, while many times allergies do not. That's one good way to narrow down what is going on. Allergies do present a lot of the same symptoms over and above the fever.

Unless the allergen is obvious, it may take a doctor to pin down exactly what is going on. Some hints as to a cause may include the time of year, the weather and even the number/type of pets you have.

Because we send more time indoors with windows and doors tightly closed, allergens that might have been minor in milder weather can really kick up their heads. For instance, when you turn on your heater, accumulated debris in the ducts and whatever has landed on the filter over the warm weather is now being blown out into every room in your house.

Mold and mildew can also be in this mix, particularly in an older house or if there are known problems with leaks. Mold can do more than cause allergic reactions, some molds can be deadly. If you do know of a leak, make sure someone checks for mold near it.

Pets also spend more time indoors in winter. Pet fur and pet dander are prime causes of allergic reactions in sensitive people. If you live in a warmer climate (like I do), fleas cannot be ruled out. They can also cause allergic reactions, but usually of the itchy kind rather than the sneezy sort.

So, what can you do? Some of it is obvious: replace your heater filter before turning it on. Make sure you check the ducts for icky stuff...there are services that will do this for you if it is a particular health issue. Regular grooming sessions for the pets (preferably where it is easy to clean up afterwards) is a good idea. When it comes to giving a cat a bath, you might want to leave it to the professionals unless you know yours will not claw you up one side and down the other to get away. (Mine does the claw thing real fast)

If there is a lot of mold, you may want to hire someone who knows how to do it to clean it up. This is especially true if you have young children in the house. They are more susceptible to some types of molds than older folks are.

Herbal allergy remedies do exist, but they are more subtle. For a serious reaction, don't start with lemon balm, see your doctor. That means that if someone is having trouble breathing, seems dazed or is otherwise obviously in distress, the emergency room is the best option.

For milder reactions, lemon balm may act as a mild antihistamine, and may slow the sneezing down. It should not be given to young children without the advice and consent of the doctor. If aching is involved, willow bark or yarrow can be used. As these contain the same constituent found in aspirin, they cannot be given to children under 15.

For itchy allergies, aloe may come in handy. A bath with corn starch or baking powder can also be useful. Even oats (placed in cheesecloth to prevent the need for the plumber to visit) in a warm bath can be soothing.