Logo Carenity
Logo Carenity
Join now! Log in
flag en
flag fr flag es flag de flag it flag us
Home Forum Conditions Magazine Medications Surveys
Join now! Log in
  • Forum
  • Conditions
  • Magazine
  • Medications
  • Surveys
  • Home
  • Forums
  • General forums
  • Good to know
  • The 6 worst allergies mistakes
 Back
Good to know

The 6 worst allergies mistakes

  •  164 views
  •  0 support
  •  9 comments

avatar Gilda

Gilda

Community manager
Edited on 30/05/2016 at 20:14

Good advisor

avatar Gilda

Gilda

Community manager

Last activity on 03/02/2023 at 15:26

Joined in 2015


710 comments posted | 120 in the Good to know group


Rewards

  • Good Advisor

  • Contributor

  • Messenger

  • Committed

  • Explorer

  • Evaluator


 View profileView  Add a friendAdd  Write

When spring arrives and trees and flowers start spreading their pollen, more people than usual are susceptible to allergies. Sometimes we can find that last year we were perfectly fine and this year we have itchy eyes and stuffy nose every time we go out. 

Part of the problem might be our cluelessness, so here are 6 mistakes people make when it comes to allergies, and the smart ways to avoid them. 

1. Leaving Windows opened: Make it a rule to keep your windows closed and the air conditioner on when it's pollen season. 

Be sure to set the AC to "recirculate," and if it’s not hot outside, you can keep it in filter-only mode. Using an air conditioner in your car can cut the amount of pollen you breathe by as much as 30%, says Myngoc Nguyen, MD, chief of allergy at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Northern California.

2. Exercising at the wrong time:  If you love an outdoor workout, avoid the morning or early afternoon. 

Grasses and trees start releasing pollen at sunrise, with levels peaking in the late morning and early afternoon. "I always suggest people run after work in the late afternoon or evening," she Dr. Nguyen. 

Exercising when pollen counts are lower, Dr. Rosenstreich agrees, "can make an enormous difference." And if pollen counts are going to be high on a given day, opt for a less strenuous workout.

3. Stuffed with dust: Stuffed animals are cute, cuddly, and unfortunately, major magnets for dust, a common allergy trigger.

If your child has piles of fluffy friends, and he or she—or anyone in the household—has allergies, you’re better off storing or giving them away. (Many charities collect stuffed animals to give to needy kids, or even as puppy play toys.) 

It's best to limit youngsters to a select few, which can be occasionally washed, rather than a whole collection, Dr. Rosenstreich says.

4. You ignore symptoms: Adults can become allergic to pets or pollen after years of allergy-free living.

If you need antibiotics for sinusitis every spring, you may have a pollen allergy, says Dr. Nguyen, who recommends a visit to the allergist. "Repeated use of antibiotics is not necessary, can lead to drug allergy, and doesn’t help the pollen allergy," she says. 

You can become allergic to a pet and not know it because symptoms are subtle and chronic. If you’ve got allergy-ish symptoms that never go away, get it checked out.

5. You’re down with down: Love that cozy comforter? It might be trouble, particularly if you’ve had it for a long time.

Feathers can be very allergenic, and become even more so as they age and break down, says Dr. Rosenstreich. "I’ll have people tell me, 'I’ve had this feather pillow for 40 years, I brought it from Romania, it's never bothered me before,'" he adds. "That’s precisely the point." 

Synthetic pillow stuffing, like polyester fiberfill, is a better choice for people with allergies. You can make your pillows even less sneeze-inducing by getting dust mite-proof covers for them (and while you’re at it, for your mattress).

6. You sleep with your pet: It may seem sweet to snooze with your pup or kitty at night, but it's not a great idea if you have allergies.

Even if you’re not allergic to animals, pets can bring in pollen, dust, mold, and other allergens from the outdoors, Dr. Rosenstreich notes. It’s best to avoid letting your dog or cat hang out on your bed. 

"Your bedroom should essentially be an allergy-free zone," he says. For the same reason, you’re better off with bare floors in the bedroom, or only using a rug or two that you can throw in the wash periodically.

 

Do you have any allergies? How do you cope with them? Do you think you've become allergic to something you weren't? 

Don't be afraid to share your experiences with the rest of the members. 

 

Follow

Other groups...

Good to know
All things Christmas
Carenity News
Feedback for Carenity
Fun and games
How to use Carenity
Let's talk about COVID-19
Life beyond illness
News from the media
Procedures and Paperwork
Youth patients with chronic conditions

Give your opinion

Survey

What do you think about the Carenity Forum and community?

All comments

avatar exit

Unregistered member

20/05/2016 at 23:16

My husband used to suffer from this sort of condition quite badly but is not so bad now. He get out of breath just going up the stairs. Every summer was a nightmare for him. I could not be too near dogs.


The 6 worst allergies mistakes https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/the-6-worst-allergies-mistakes-1054 2016-05-20 23:16:01
avatar exit

Unregistered member

21/05/2016 at 07:59

Hi i dont really cope very well to be honest, i have excma but to be honest not sure of the triggers, other than change in temp and stress makes it worse. I do get hayfever but seems to have got worse recently.


The 6 worst allergies mistakes https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/the-6-worst-allergies-mistakes-1054 2016-05-21 07:59:49
avatar exit

Unregistered member

21/05/2016 at 11:01

I leave my windows open but cover them with pollen blinds. , I dont have an air conditioner and dont know anyone in England with one.

 

 


The 6 worst allergies mistakes https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/the-6-worst-allergies-mistakes-1054 2016-05-21 11:01:49

avatar Foxydog

Foxydog

21/05/2016 at 16:12

Good advisor

avatar Foxydog

Foxydog

Last activity on 29/11/2020 at 14:36

Joined in 2015


39 comments posted | 1 in the Good to know group


Rewards

  • Good Advisor

  • Contributor

  • Friend


 View profileView  Add a friendAdd  Write

Some allergies are easier to deal with than others , i am allergic to a sickness drug , didn't know till i went into  anaphylactic shock that was very scary  , was in hospital at the time couple of hours after a major op  . 

 

See the signature

I am who i am always will be


The 6 worst allergies mistakes https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/the-6-worst-allergies-mistakes-1054 2016-05-21 16:12:45
avatar exit

Unregistered member

22/05/2016 at 11:18

@Foxydog - That sounds horrendous- at least you were in hospital at the time so they could deal with it.


The 6 worst allergies mistakes https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/the-6-worst-allergies-mistakes-1054 2016-05-22 11:18:28
avatar exit

Unregistered member

28/05/2016 at 10:58

I had suffered with Hay fever from a child to my early twenties, i could not go onto a room with fresh flowers or fruit, but the wife sorted that problem she bought  flowers and fruit every week, then got me to sit in the same room as them after a month of doing this it cured my hay fever, why they call it hay fever as hay sraw wheat never botherd me, but freshly mowed grass did. I have always slept with my bedroom window open all year round, not a problem till morning when i would sneeze as if it was going out of fashion  I will now close my windows, as i did not kinow that that was a problem, thank you


The 6 worst allergies mistakes https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/the-6-worst-allergies-mistakes-1054 2016-05-28 10:58:56

avatar nickyg

nickyg

28/05/2016 at 14:27

Good advisor

avatar nickyg

nickyg

Last activity on 20/12/2023 at 17:44

Joined in 2016


26 comments posted | 3 in the Good to know group


Rewards

  • Good Advisor

  • Contributor

  • Committed

  • Explorer

  • Friend


 View profileView  Add a friendAdd  Write

I have allergy rhinitis so I suffer all year certain things trigger them off but the worst is the pollen for trees blossom flowers and grass.my eyes prick up and irritate and nose pours out and my throat feels like pollen sticks.i look like I have full blown cold but I haven't makes me very sleepy to.ita annoying as it makes me look ill wheni am noy

.

See the signature

n griffiths


The 6 worst allergies mistakes https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/the-6-worst-allergies-mistakes-1054 2016-05-28 14:27:26

avatar Roo1978

Roo1978

30/05/2016 at 20:14

Good advisor

avatar Roo1978

Roo1978

Last activity on 05/05/2025 at 18:30

Joined in 2015


16 comments posted | 2 in the Good to know group

1 of their responses was helpful to members


Rewards

  • Good Advisor

  • Contributor

  • Committed

  • Explorer


 View profileView  Add a friendAdd  Write

I am allergic to all antibiotics and antiflammatories which makes life very difficult at times. Suffered Anaphylactic Shock in 2010 as GP  gave me a drug with some antibiotic in... hospitalized. Allergies to lots of things pollen etc. Try to follow a healthy diet to see if it helps. X


The 6 worst allergies mistakes https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/the-6-worst-allergies-mistakes-1054 2016-05-30 20:14:00

avatar Somya.P

Somya.P

Community manager
12/05/2025 at 18:36

Good advisor

avatar Somya.P

Somya.P

Community manager

Last activity on 22/05/2025 at 10:19

Joined in 2023


623 comments posted | 193 in the Good to know group

48 of their responses were helpful to members


Rewards

  • Good Advisor

  • Contributor

  • Messenger

  • Explorer

  • Friend


 View profileView  Add a friendAdd  Write

Hello everyone, how are you doing? 😊

When it comes to allergies, whether it's pollen in springtime, pet dander, or dust, it’s not just about what we should do, but also what we should avoid. Many of us make small everyday mistakes that unknowingly make our symptoms worse. From letting your pet nap on your bed to ignoring long-term symptoms, these little things can have a big impact on how we feel.

What about you?

@ladycatherine @LondonF1979 @Ladylionheart @thecaptainjohn @sitchie @fibrofogbaby @anth46 @life897 @rachel1968 @Scottishgirl @sules60 @Mulligankaren @lizhands @jreikimaster @Shaylea @Bilbobags @Almera1978 @crystalpaquette @Topaz13 @Alison1984 @MeganPo @antony @Chrissie1564 @hackie54 @Sueharmonypuss @Carolyne @jenlei14 @Fifer @sharden @Linda1009 @Finlaysgran @Polly34 @pdhywrd @juliesnowy @teuchterlass @deedee6324 @Fxgypsykate @Gallifreya @jonathan1 @Tigger.co.uk @SewLola @giorgia @fxmasterteam @Kaztaz @hkab68 @LibbyDarlington @Josanne5 @Amberlynn @Bdhaene @Salimf74 @Elizabeth63 @Satinangel @Dermazeam @LRugby @HayleyB83 @TedsMum @Kathymoz @nathan_hill @Nicolaclaire @Josozzy @Poppymia123 @dexter11 @HarryBolton1 @Jillytots @Libbles26 @JHitzi @Paulp1979 @joelsang32 @ssauter @Pennylein64 @Alysha @KieranSlater @ellieb1 @Vfisher @AmandaMrsF @Nataly @Roinaaa @sksangar @Kelvinmason @Harry7 @HelsBels77 @EHill0853 @xmensch

👉 Have you ever realized that something in your routine was making your allergies worse?

👉 Did your allergies develop later in life, or have they always been there?

👉 Have you made any changes that helped reduce your symptoms?

Whether it’s dust, pets, food, or medication sensitivities, let’s help each other avoid the common traps and share what’s actually worked. Your advice might be the breakthrough someone else is looking for! 💬

Take care,

Somya from the Carenity team 🌼

See the signature

Somya from the Carenity team 🌼


The 6 worst allergies mistakes https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/the-6-worst-allergies-mistakes-1054 2025-05-12 18:36:23

Give your opinion

Survey

What do you think about the Carenity Forum and community?

Articles to discover...

The identity shift: How to build a life that includes, but isn’t defined by, illness

05/05/2025 | Advice

The identity shift: How to build a life that includes, but isn’t defined by, illness

Medications and driving: Are your prescriptions putting you at risk behind the wheel?

26/04/2025 | Advice

Medications and driving: Are your prescriptions putting you at risk behind the wheel?

Can journaling bring real benefits for chronic illness symptoms?

25/04/2025 | Advice

Can journaling bring real benefits for chronic illness symptoms?

Aspartame and its effects on our health

19/04/2025 | Nutrition

Aspartame and its effects on our health

NHS - Get help with prescription costs

12/11/2019 | Procedures & paperwork

NHS - Get help with prescription costs

Diclofenac to become a prescription drug

21/01/2015 | News

Diclofenac to become a prescription drug

Opioids Causing Concerns, Problems for Chronic Pain Patients

14/10/2016 | News

Opioids Causing Concerns, Problems for Chronic Pain Patients

Do you have the winter blues?

21/10/2014 | News

Do you have the winter blues?

icon cross

Does this topic interest you?

Join the 500 000 patients registered on our platform, get information on your condition or on that of your family member, and discuss it with the community

Join now! Join now! Join now! Join now! Join now!

It’s free and confidential

Subscribe

You wish to be notified of new comments

 

Your subscription has been taken into account

Join now! Log in

About

  • Who are we?
  • The Carenity team
  • The Science and Ethics Committee
  • Contributors
  • Carenity in the news
  • Certifications and awards
  • Data For Good
  • Our scientific publications
  • Discover our studies
  • Editorial policy
  • Code of conduct
  • Our commitments
  • Legal notice
  • Terms of use
  • Cookies management
  • Contact
  • Carenity for professionals

Quick access

  • Health magazine
  • Search a forum
  • Learn about a condition
  • See medication reviews
  • List of forums (A-Z)
  • List of condition info sheets (A-Z)
  • List of medication fact sheets (A-Z)
  • Language flag fr flag de flag es flag it flag us

The www.carenity.co.uk website does not constitute or replace professional medical advice.