The right way to prevent allergies that you should know

Allergies arise due to the immune system's over-response when a foreign substance enters the body. Either way, you can't really prevent allergies, especially considering that most cases of allergies are passed down from parents.

Even so, there are many ways you can prevent allergic reactions. You still have it, but the precautions you take will prevent allergy symptoms from appearing. This is certainly useful for those of you who have a lot of allergies, suffer from severe allergies, or are frequently exposed to allergens (allergens).

How to prevent allergic reactions in the respiratory system

An allergic reaction to the respiratory system is known as allergic rhinitis. This condition occurs when you inhale allergens from the environment around you. The immune system perceives the allergen as a danger and then overreacts to it.

Rhinitis often causes symptoms similar to those of allergies. You may experience sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy eyes and nose, and feel a build-up of mucus in your nose and throat.

The allergens that most often trigger rhinitis are house dust mites, pet dander and dung, pollen, and mold and mildew spores. The best way to prevent rhinitis is to avoid all of its triggers, but this can sometimes be difficult.

Without realizing it, allergy triggers are scattered in your home. Dust and mite droppings usually fly freely, feces and animal hair can stick to furniture, while spores may be scattered everywhere without being seen.

However, you can prevent allergic reactions to the respiratory system in the following ways.

1. Allergy and dust mites

Mites are microscopic insects that live in the dust of household furniture. These insects are found in the corners of the house, mattresses, pillows and bolsters, as well as items that are rarely cleaned.

To prevent dust mite allergies, you can reduce the population in the following ways.

• Clean upholstered furniture, sofas, curtains, and the like regularly by washing or vacuum cleaner.
• Use vinyl or wood floor coverings instead of carpets.
• Use hypo-allergenic covers for mattresses, pillows, and blankets.
• Using synthetic pillows and blankets.
• Clean the furniture with a damp cloth, not a duster, which can spread dust further.
• Clean every corner of the house with vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter.

When cleaning the house, try to clean the parts of the house that are most often used by the family, such as the bedroom or living room. This area has the most potential to spread allergens.

2. Pollen allergy

Pollen allergy may be more common in the four seasons. However, there is still a chance that you will develop this allergy because each type of plant produces different pollen.

In order to prevent an allergic pollen reaction, you can do the following.

• View the weather report before leaving the house. Dry and windy weather can help pollen spread.
• Stay home when the weather is dry and windy.
• Using glasses wrap around to protect all parts of the eye.
• Close doors and windows in the morning and at dusk. There is more pollen at these times.
• Bathing, shampooing, and changing clothes immediately after leaving the house.
• Avoid areas with lots of grass, such as parks or fields.
• If you have a lawn, prune regularly.

3. Pet allergies

Pet allergies are not actually caused by the animal's hair falling out, but by saliva, dry urine, and dead skin cells that stick to the fur. Animal hair can also stick to clothing and furniture around you.

If you are sensitive to animal hair, here are some ways to prevent allergic reactions.

• Do not let pets into the room.
• Bathe pets at least once every two weeks.
• Trim your pet's hair regularly outdoors.
• Keep pets outside or prepare a special room for them.
• Routinely clean wood-coated furniture that is often plastered by pets.

If you are visiting a friend who has pets, ask them not to brush their fur on the same day. You can also take an antihistamine one hour before your visit, just in case.

4. Allergy to mold and mildew spores

Mold and mildew are not actually allergens, but the millions of spores they produce during reproduction can trigger allergies when inhaled. Spore release usually occurs more frequently when there is a sudden increase in temperature.

The best way to prevent an allergic reaction to mold and mildew spores is as follows.

• Keep the air in the house dry and well-circulated.
• Do not hang wet clothes in the house.
• Not storing clothes in the wardrobe closely.
• Open windows when cooking or showering to prevent damp air from circulating in the house. If necessary, use exhaust fan.
• Routinely clean the damp area of ​​the house with a solution bleach to kill moss.

How to prevent food allergies

Symptoms of a food allergy can be mild in the form of hives or lead to a life-threatening reaction. This condition, which is mostly experienced by children, is most often triggered by cow's milk, eggs, soybeans, seafood, and nuts.

Preventing food allergies is not easy, especially because it runs in families. If your sibling, father, or mother has a food allergy, your chances of having the same condition are also greater.

However, you can prevent food allergies in two periods, namely from childhood and as an adult. Here's an overview.

1. Prevent food allergies in childhood

One strategy that experts recommend for preventing food allergies is to introduce each type of food as early as possible. Start by giving babies exclusively breastfed, because breast milk helps the development of the children's immune system.

Breast milk contains various types of nutrients needed for child development. Breast milk is also easy to digest, helps strengthen the immune system, and is the least likely to trigger allergies in babies.

Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of eczema, wheezing, and cow's milk allergy in the future. Meanwhile, for mothers who cannot breastfeed for one reason or another, this benefit can be obtained by giving special formula milk according to the doctor's advice.

As they grow, parents need to introduce a variety of foods to their children. Don't be afraid to add nuts, various types of meat, or other ingredients to your child's daily diet to get their immune system accustomed.

2. Prevent allergic reactions as adults

Once children grow up, food allergies may decrease or persist. If you have a food allergy until adulthood, the next strategy is to take precautions against allergic reactions in unexpected situations.

Here are some tips you can do.

• Tell people around you that you have food allergies. That way, they can help you avoid unexpected allergens.
• Labels 'safe' and 'hazard' on food storage cabinets, freezer, refrigerator, and so on.
• Always read the list of ingredients on food packaging labels.
• Do not mix up food storage areas.
• Provide their own plates, glasses and cutlery.
• Keep eating utensils so as not to touch allergy-triggering foods. For example, if you are allergic to milk, don't use a butter knife to pick up the jam.
• Clean the kitchen so that allergy-causing food crumbs don't fly around.
• Cook food and wash cooking utensils separately.

Always discuss with your doctor if you have a food allergy. If a food ingredient always triggers an allergic reaction, you should stop consuming that food altogether. Look for alternatives to other ingredients that don't cause an allergic reaction.

How to prevent allergic skin reactions

Allergens can cause a skin reaction known as dermatitis. This condition occurs when an allergic trigger comes into contact with the skin, then triggers an exaggerated immune system response.

Dermatitis can appear in two forms, namely atopic dermatitis (eczema) and contact dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin inflammation and not an allergy, but it can get worse when you are exposed to allergens.

Meanwhile, contact dermatitis occurs when you come into contact with allergens or irritants. Both atopic and contact dermatitis can cause itching, rashes, redness, and blisters that ooze.

Here's how to prevent allergic skin reactions by type.

1. Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis may be difficult to avoid, but there are steps that can be taken to prevent recurrence, namely as follows.

• Follow a skin care routine as directed by your doctor.
• Wear gloves if you have to come in contact with water or any substance that triggers symptoms.
• Using a mild soap.
• Dry the body by tapping it gently, not rubbing it.
• Use a moisturizing cream or ointment two to three times a day.
• Take a shower with lukewarm water, not hot water.
• Drink eight glasses of water a day to keep skin moist.
• Avoid activities that make the body too hot or sweaty.
• Manage stress well through sports, hobbies, and so on.
• As much as possible do not scratch the itchy skin area.

2. Contact dermatitis

As with respiratory allergies, the best way to prevent allergic skin reactions is to identify and avoid triggers. You can identify allergy triggers through a simple allergy test such as skin prick test or patch test.

After identifying what are the substances that trigger allergies on your skin, here are a series of preventative measures that can be done.

• Avoid all forms of allergens and irritants. Be aware of any sources of allergens that may be around you.
• Use masks, goggles, gloves and other protective equipment when you have to come into contact with allergens (such as household cleaning products).
• Using creams or gels to protect the skin from certain allergens.
• Use moisturizer regularly to maintain healthy skin and its protective layer.
• Use patch (patch) specially to cover metal on clothes if you are allergic to metal.
• Wearing loose natural fabrics, such as cotton. Cotton and linen are also great for sensitive skin, but they're not as light as cotton.
• Wear light colors because they contain less dye.
• Avoid clothes marked 'non-iron'And' anti-dirt because the material may have been treated with chemicals.
• If the skin is exposed to allergens, wash it immediately with warm running water and a mild soap.
• Not using jewelry, especially on the ears and body parts that are more sensitive.
• Not for long wearing a watch that presses the skin. Metal friction on the skin and sweat can cause a rash.

Allergies are an incurable condition. However, you can still prevent allergic reactions to the respiratory system, digestive system, and skin in a few simple ways.

If an allergic reaction occurs, take the necessary medication and keep an eye on your body for signs. Also be aware of a severe allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock. Seek medical help immediately if you or someone closest to you has this condition.