Do You Suffer From Allergies?

Allergies, will they ever go AWAY?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had allergies. I thought moving to Washington State from California would be the END of my allergies, NOPE! I moved here and not only do I have allergies, but I have ASTHMA! So much for ending my allergies.

On a daily basis, I do everything I can to avoid Allergies and improve wellness. In January, 2012 I had a “scratch” test for allergies. I didn’t have one for 10 years, so IT WAS TIME. If you’ve never had an allergy test before, what a treat! NOT! The suffering didn’t start in the doctor’s office, it started when I had to go OFF my allergy pills for 4 days prior the appointment. I was actually scheduled for allergy testing a month earlier, but couldn’t make it to the fourth night without my eyes itching, sneezing, and asthma. What a MESS!

I made it to my appointment!

I made it through the fourth night of no pills, and my allergies weren’t as bad. I went to the doctor’s office in the morning. After arriving, I sat down in the “allergy testing” room. The assistant took out her Sharpie type pen and drew about 30 or so lines on each arm. After that, she pulled out a million little bottles that had liquid allergens in them. Then, as if I was a Voodoo doll, she poked and scratched my arms with little pins right next to each of the black marks. OUCH! After the poking was over, she used a dropper to place liquid onto each spot. That’s where the fun BEGAN!

How long will this allergy test take?

About 5 minutes later, the allergens started working. OMG. I had to keep my arms still and SUFFER, as I was not allowed to scratch. Different places started turning bright red quickly. I think I had to sit there for 20 minutes without moving. I was allowed to blow on my arms, but it didn’t give much relief.

Ah, finally, some RELIEF!

After about 20 minutes, the doctor (who is my favorite doctor, but not at that moment) walked in and looked a little shocked that some spots had turned so red. I told him previously, how terrible my allergies had been without my meds and I think after seeing my results, he BELIEVED me. He pulled up a chair and started telling me what I was allergic to. Luckily, before he told me the good news, I was allowed to take an allergy pill to make the itching STOP.

What am I allergic to?

I scored the highest for dust, mold, grass, horses, cats and dogs. WHAT? Cats and dogs? Say it isn’t so… One suggestion that my Doctor made was to stop letting my cat SMOKEY sleep in my bedroom, let alone next to my head. Poor Smokey got the boot and he now doesn’t sleep in the room. Poor kitty, he doesn’t know what allergies are, he just keeps meowing at the door! The dogs still sleep in our room, but Holly is at the foot of the bed (she’s small) and Schatzie is in her crate.

The other suggestion he made was to get some allergy covers for all of our pillows. We took his advice and ordered them. Now no mites can get inside or outside the pillow casing.

What, another test for allergies?

I’m still having some allergies, BUT they are better controlled now. I’m only on 1 puff of my preventive inhaler every other day and 1 allergy pill at night. That’s pretty good for pollen season, don’t you think? However, I decided that maybe I should take a “blood prick test” for “FOOD” allergies! My Naturopath sent me a kit and I performed the test at home. Again, I had to go four days without my meds. I did a little better that time. Watch the video below to see how the blood test was done! I’ll have the results soon!

Allergy Proofing The Home Really Helps!

My allergies are actually more controlled due to the anti-inflammatory foods I have been eating. In addition to controlling allergies with anti-inflammatory foods, I’ve taken steps to “Allergy Proof My Home”. It’s amazing how much of an impact allergy proofing can have on allergies, just by implementing a few simple things. There are many ways that I’ve allergy proofed my home. Here are just a few tips that have helped me to control allergies:

Switching to Green Cleaners
Tossing Most of My Paper Books
Using Non Toxic Nail Polish
Avoiding Smoke