Could Your Sudden Unexplainable Skin Problems Be Due to New Jewelry?

This beauty is now reconsidering what else may be in her jewelry. 

Allergies are more common than you think.  Perhaps, you never thought it could happen to you.  However, symptoms may suddenly appear one day like irritated skin.  Suddenly you are left with swollen earlobes that are red and itchy.  This is confusing since you never changed soaps, laundry detergents or ate anything unusual. Then it occurs to you that you wore new earrings, but how could jewelry be responsible?

You might never have suffered an allergic symptom in your life, but there is always a first time.  You can react to any substance whether ingested, inhaled or once your skin is put in contact such as when wearing jewelry to cause contact allergic dermatitis.  

The main culprit in jewelry to cause allergic reactions is any nickel in the piece. This is the metal that can be in gold or silver-plated jewelry as a base.  However, you can’t assume that more expensive jewelry is completely nickle free.  

The amount of actual nickel in gold jewelry depends on the number of karats.  For example, 18% karat gold has about 75% gold to another metal, most likely nickel.  The less karats, the more that piece of jewelry uses more nickel.  The only being nickle free is stainless steel jewelry.

If you’re thinking of getting your ears pierced, then make sure to insist on a stainless steel needle for the piercing and buy only stainless steel earrings to be on the safest side.  If you must have gold, then higher grades like 18K or 24K gold earrings are what you should stick with.

Nickle can be found in a lot of different forms of jewelry like necklaces, bracelets and rings.  Of course, you can be allergic to another substance in jewelry that can lead to rashes, itching, blistering and crusty, oozing skin, but nickel is your skin’s biggest threat if you’re susceptible to it. 

The Least Likely Types of Eye Makeup to Irritate Sensitive Eyes

A brown shade of eye shadow is your safest choice if your eyes easily irritate.

Some of us are more prone to allergies than others.  If you are one, then you know how easily you can react to something like cosmetics and the irritation it can cause.  Eye makeup can be especially difficult for anyone that has these sensitivity issues.  Therefore, I want to share some valuable tips when shopping to restock your makeup bag that can best keep your eyes from potentially suffering.

You may want to think again about overly glittery eye shadows.  Matte shadows are safer since they do not possess those reflective particles than could end up in your eye.

Pure natural pigments are another good choice.  Minerals are safer bets then their chemical counterparts when it comes to the eyes.  On the same note, you can still react to anything at anytime.  

As far as eyeliner goes, you might want to trade in your liquid liners, especially the waterproof latex variety that has stronger chemicals to account for such long-lasting wear.  Instead, you may want to switch to pencils or crayons. 

Waterproof mascaras are great but they also can pose a problem if you are sensitive. A better alternative is trying a water-resistant formula that won’t be as harsh since you can wash it away with soap and water over a special oil makeup remover.

Speaking of mascara, avoid formulas with fibers in it.  Just like the reflective glitter chunks in eye shadow, these fibers can fall in your eye in time as well.  

Your eyes are very important, so be careful with them!

Tis the Season for the Sneezing So Here Are Some Tips to Help Keep Seasonal Allergies in Check!

This post may help cut down the number of tissues you need this season.

Having a seasonal allergy can make a person miserable.  Besides sneezing, your eyes can water and itch along with skin.  Yet, headaches also can be frequent and cause suffering to make the season even more memorable for those afflicted.  If you happen to be battling this condition, there is something else that you may want to think about around your own home that could help lessen your suffering.

Some Helpful Tips for Those With Allergy-Prone or Sensitive Eyes When Considering Eye Cosmetics

You might be surprised that colors and textures matter for safeguarding your eyes as much as they do for beautifying them.

Having allergies or an eye condition can make your eyes more sensitive than others with tearing, itching or redness.  If your eyes are prone to easily irritating like mine, then let me share some helpful advice when shopping for new eye cosmetics.

Try to avoid ingredients that often trigger a reaction.  Perfumes, parabens, and certain FD & C colors, chemicals, and preservatives, especially ones releasing formaldehyde are known to irritate some people more than others.  However, this does not mean that your eyes are totally safe if you stick with ones labeled hypoallergenic or turn to mineral makeup. 

Review: VMV Hypoallergenics Cosmetics for Holiday Beauty Without Any Surprises!

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.** 

VMV Hypoallergenics Cosmetics 

VMV Hypoallergenics seal

Having allergies is no fun because you never know when something seemingly innocent as a product, food, environment or material can cause you problems.  A reaction to cosmetics that you have trusted and used for a long time can occur at any time with itching, swelling, redness, blotches or puffy eyes. However, your beauty stands a better chance when you have validated hypoallergenic cosmetics like VMV Hypoallergenics that passed vigorous trials of testing for common allergens.

Ooh-La-Lash Volumizing Mascara

My eyes have always been extra sensitive and can water, itch and turn red at times with certain mascara formulas. Therefore, I looked forward to the testing the Ooh-La-Lash! Volumizing Mascara ($23).  Made with a clay-like compound and iron oxide pigments, this variety I discovered was extremely gentle with tubules to coat the lash that later slips off when you wash the product away.  

I found the best method to build up the thickness was aiming to get as close to the lash line as possible before brushing upward and out. Two coats can take your lashes beyond amazing when going all out glam, but one coat was fine for every day for my needs.  It never clumped or left any black residue or rings around my eyes while I had it on either.

The Skin-The Bluff Concealer ($20) that arrived was in the line’s lightest shade of N1.  This is a pot of creamy pigment with a fantastic texture that has plenty of virgin coconut oil hydration.  The formula is not overly heavy but thicker than some similar under eye concealers.  It smooths without tugging on that delicate skin of the under eye area and does an excellent job covering even dark allergic shiners for as long as I had it on through the day.  The color looks darker in the container until you apply and start blending it. 

Skin-the-Bluff Concealer ( N1 )

Bringing out my brown eyes was done with a compact of their Two True Hues Eyeshadow Duo ($40) in Morning After.  This compact comes in a zippered, suede-like carrying case to store it and equipped with three brushes.  The shades in this matte powder are a dark cool brown and the other is deep plum-gray with a silky smooth consistency for easy blending when doing a smoky eye.  

Two True Hues Eyeshadow Duo in Morning After

For my cheeks, I got to sample a Skin Bloom Blush ($40) in Georgia (bright medium matte hot pink) that also has its own zippered suede-like pouch and small brush. The color was more sheer than heavily pigmented to leave a healthy, believable flush.

Skin Bloom Blush in Georgia  looks a peach color in this photo, but is is more of a vivid, bright pink.

Last of all, there was another Skin Bloom Blush among the products with their Luminous (dye-free) white highlight powder with some gleaming radiance for cheekbones, brow bone or wherever you want to redirect some becoming light.  This also came with the same sort of case, but no brush was inside.  

Going from left to right are the two Skin Bloom Blushes, first Luminous then Georgia with the Two True Hues Eyeshadow Duo shades in Morning After on the right.

To sum it up, if you are on the sensitive side why take unnecessary risks when there is a safer alternative with validated hypoallergenics products  like VMV Hypoallergenics to keep you beautiful?  

VMV Hypoallergenics Four Holiday Beauty Gift Sets Review + ($112) Giveaway!–Ends November 13, 2015

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

VMV Hypoallergenics Creams de la Creme Gift Set

Those that happen to be more sensitive than others because of allergies can appreciate the safety of validated hypoallergenic beauty products that passed vigorous testing for common allergens like the ones from VMV Hypoallergenics that I have discovered while doing this review and giveaway.  After all, you often don’t know what you may react to if you happen to be more sensitive to substances than others.  Now that uncertainly of a possible reaction is greatly minimized to give an allergy suffer like myself more peace of mind.  All products from this well-established brand since 1979, are 100% free of fragrance, dye, phthalate, SLS, paraben, preservative, and are non-comedogenic. I received four holiday gift sets that I want to tell you about that would make any allergic sufferer happy to receive.  

The Creams de la Creme ($20 with a value of $29) has a Re-Everything Face-Hand-Body Lotion (1 oz.), Creammmy-Rich Intensive Moisture Milk, is a luxurious feeling, milky moisturizer (1.7 oz.) and a NEW: Essence Skin-Saving Hand + Body Smoother, provides intensive coconut-powered healing for dry skin.

The second set is for the man on your list.  It is called For All Ye Merry Gentleman ($22 with a value of $29). He will be pleased to find the SuperSkinCare: Creammmy Rich Intensive Moisture Milk for Dry Skin (1.01 oz.), Re Everything Eye Serum for instant lift and cellular rejuvenation (12 ml), Id: Sweat Acne + Overall Anti-bacterial Gel, a great multipurpose product to help clear breakouts on the face and body, but also for disinfecting, cooling after sports and keeping oil at bay.

VMV Hypoallergenics For All Ye Merry Gentlemen Gift Set

The third set is Mistle-Glow ($35, but is a $51 value) for all the ladies looking to glam up for holiday parties. This set has a Glitz Lipstick in Drama Queen, a fabulous deep pink that work with any skin tone that your lips will love with its soothing green tea and virgin coconut oil for pampering them.  You get a Lip Gloss in Can Can, a flattering medium pink that also made my lips so comfortable with its dewy moisture.

VMV Hypoallergenics Mistle-Glow Gift Set

The My VMVery Favorite Things Set  is another great gift-giving option ($35 but valued at $68).  This set is another excellent way to become acquainted with VMV Hypoallergenics line.  It includes Id Sweat Acne and Overall Anti-bacterial Gel, a mulitasker for disinfecting, cooling and oil control (1.69 oz.),  Re Everything Eye Serum (12 ml), SuperSkin Care Creammmy Rich Intensive Moisture Milk for Dry Skin (1.01 oz.), Essence Antibacterial Hand Gel, a gentle anti-micro-bug hand gel (0.7 oz.), Essence Skin-Saving Superwash Hair and Body Milk Shampoo (1.69 ov.), Essence Skin-Saving Conditioner (8.4 oz), and Grandma Minnie’s Mommycoddling All-Over Lotion (4.7 oz.).

VMV Hypoallergenics My VMVery Favorite Things Gift Set

Anyone with allergies or those that just want the gentlest beauty available would really love VMV Hypoallergenics so be sure to visit their website and shop.  These four holiday gift sets are an ideal way for that person on your list to sample a variety of their products and see what works the best for them.   

Thanks to VMV Hypoallergenics, one lucky Nuts 4 Stuff reader in the United States wins all four Holiday Gift Sets:  My VMVery Favorite Things, For All Ye Merry Gentlemen, Creams de la Creme, and Mistle-Glow ($112 value)!

Giveaway details and how to enter–

Prize: One (1) winner from the USA will win all four VMV Hypoallergenics Holiday Gift Sets: My VMVery Favorite Things, For All Ye Merry Gentlemen, Creams de la Creme, and Mistle-Glow ($112 value)!

Dates of entry: 10/26/15–11/12/15 at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time

Eligibility: Open to USA residents only.  No PO Boxes. The winner will need to respond to my email with name and shipping address within 48-hours or another winner will be picked.  

How to Enter:  Please use the Rafflecopter widget if it works.  You can also enter by clicking this link or try to enter using another browser. You can return daily and log in again with your email to tweet or to vote daily for Nuts 4 Stuff on Picket Fence Blogs.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Breathe Right Lavender Scented Nasal Strips–Proceed With Caution If You Have Sensitive Skin or Prone to Allergies!

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Breathe Right Lavender Scented Nasal Strips

Breathe Right recently reached out and asked if I would be interested in trying their nasal strips.  Though I do have allergies, I had never tried their products until the package arrived with five boxes of their new Lavender Scented Nasal Strips.

Since I thought it might help me breathe better and rely less on antihistamines, I didn’t waste any time and immediately read the directions before applying one later that same night the package came.  The strips are designed to lift the nasal passages to provide better airflow, which sounded ideal for someone that battles constant stuffiness.

I did not detect any smell of lavender as I attached it in exactly in the proper place judging by their brochure’s  illustration.  Once this strip attached, it held firmly in place.

The next morning I woke up and took a look at myself in the mirror.  My nose was swollen on both sides of that strip, which was still firmly attached to my face.

Immediately, I tried to pull it off.  Wow, that Breath Right Lavender Scented Nasal Strip wouldn’t budge easily.  Instead, I had to rip it painfully off of my face.  Underneath that strip, I got a better view of how ugly I looked this morning with a huge bulge on each side of my nose.

My swollen nose only lasted a day.  However, if you suffer from allergies or have sensitive skin, then I would go with the Breathe Right Sensitive Nasal Strips formula instead since the Lavender Scented strips use a medical grade of adhesive.

What happened to me may not work this way on you.  Nonetheless, I just want to put my experience out there and make you aware of what may occur.

*Disclaimer: Free product was provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.* 

Review: Baby Mantra Detangling Conditioner

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Allergies run rampant in our family.  Therefore, I was more than curious how Baby Mantra’s Detangling Conditioner, being a NPA (Natural Certified Product) by the Natural Products Association, would be tolerated on a squirmy little girl with long hair that is constantly tangled and prone to knots.

For someone that never sits still when trying to get a comb through her thick jungle of curls, she didn't fight when I followed her shampoo with this gentle formulation with coconut and lavender oil that is allergy-tested as well as toxin and dye-free.  

Baby Mantra Detangling Conditioner ($11.95) seemed to please the both of us.  Check it out!

*Disclaimer: Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

A Wise Sunscreen Choice for Those Highly Allergic to Hair Dyes

If you happen to experience a lot of reactions from different brands of hair coloring products, then the safest bet would be a PABA-free sunscreen.   

PABA can create a cross reaction when it meets up with a common ingredient in a lot of permanent hair dyes to cause those sensitive individuals needless grief.  There are so many wonderful PABA-free sunscreen formulations on the market that you don’t have to risk it.

Two Simple Secrets to Help Save Your Face From Wrinkles!

Besides surgical procedures or injections, you may think only expensive creams and serums can help you defy aging.  However, there is even more that you can do starting now so that maybe you won't even need to consider any drastic measures later. 

Sleeping on your back is definitely a good way to try to sleep.  If you have a tendency to roll in bed and change positions, you are tugging and creasing facial skin in places that in time deepen and wrinkle.  The sooner you start training yourself into this different sleeping position on your back, the better off your face will be.  Your breathing will also likely improve since rolling around in your sleep at night can block your airways. 

Side position sleepers will also be prone to those wrinkles near the mouth from long term pulling cheek skin.  Allergies are also made worse when you sleep this way due to mucous as it drains.  

Those puffy pockets under your eyes are the result from this type of sleeping.  In fact, check your mirror because one of those swollen pockets is probably bigger than the other.  This should give you even more incentive to consider sleeping on your back instead of on the side and remedy three problems at once with protecting from wrinkles, helping your allergies, and keeping your eyes beautiful and less likely to puff.

The second secret is the wonder of what a satin pillowcase can do.  Touch it and notice how easy it is for your hand to glide across.  Think of replacing your cotton or cotton blend pillowcases because if you happen to screw up sleeping in a bad position, your face will be less abused since it also slips away from the fabric instead of sticking to it.

Remaining ageless is what we are all striving for.  Sometimes, the simplest approach to the problem can surprise you.  I do hope you put this advice to use because it helps keep you younger a lot longer while improving your health so that you can feel younger too! 

The Dual Sweet Uses of Honey!

There are so many benefits to consider in regard to this natural sweetener that you may not be aware of since it also contains a host of unknown ingredients that can help alleviate many conditions.

For instance, honey has been linked to improving anemia, memory, and for stimulating muscles and the heart. 

People suffering from various allergies such as hay fever should try raw honey.   Some allergists recommend chewing on a piece of honeycomb (if you can still buy it inside a jar of raw honey)  for helping congested sinuses since the bee glue from inside that honeycomb can shrink mucous membranes.  My own allergist made that suggestion to me, however, it is extremely difficult to find anymore.

If you have problems with your children or elderly relative that wet the bed, then you should try giving them some honey because it is known to help bladder function.

Anyone in the family that is difficult to be near due to a flatulence problem, you may want to suggest they try some honey.  Since honey is predigested by bees, it can help as a digestive aid and prevent gas.

Honey soothes sore throats and coughs while it kills germs.  The next time you suffer from those particular problems, try mixing some honey with lemon juice and swallowing a tablespoon every two hours or so.

For that reason, honey can help with burns, boils, and skin infections. This could be the reason the Roman soldiers used it as a dressing to help prevent infection. 

Studies have used honey in polio cases, intestinal ulcers to treating nervous conditions.

Since honey has an anti-stiffness substance known as the Wulzen factor it could also help those with rheumatism and arthritis.

Finally, if you have a thyroid condition, honey may help as well.

For the best results, it is important to get the most natural form of raw honey that is labeled "unheated" not "uncooked."  Uncooked is the legal term for being allowed to heat this honey up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, which kills some of those beneficial nutrients.

The brighter and clearer the color of the honey, the more that the heating processes have destroyed those nutrients.  Cloudy honey is closer to natural and better to try.

Hopefully, this post will sweeten your opinion of looking into the health possibilities of honey.

CleanRest Bedding Review and Giveaway!--Ends June 1, 2011

*Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Anyone that lives with allergy problems knows how miserable you can feel.  Controlling symptoms means keeping your environment as allergen free as possible.  This is especially important when it comes to where you  sleep.  Having the right bedding such as CleanRest® protective bedding can make a difference in how you feel when you awake the next morning. 

I know because I battle allergies year round with my allergic rhinitis.  The first thing my allergist recommended besides medication and injections were replacing my allergen mattress cover with protective bedding of a hypoallergenic mattress cover, bed mattress encasements and protective pillow encasements.

What is so different about CleanRest®bedding is the type of weave used, which is so tiny no allergen or spill can penetrate it.  This is your perfect bed bugs mattress protector.  Imagine every square inch of their patented MicronOne® fabric contains about three billion pores to keep those micro-toxins out! 

CleanRest® products include mattress encasements, pillow encasements, allergy free pillows, travel pillows, comforters, duvet encasements and hypoallergenic curtains to provide 360 degree coverage from allergens.

The company was kind enough to send me my new queen box spring encasement, a queen mattress encasement, and two standard/queen pillow encasements.  Replacing my older set of protective bedding was so appreciated since mine was starting to show signs of wear. 

Honestly, you feel better when you sleep on the safest bedding available like CleanRest®.  I slept like a baby and woke up with less congestion.  Even if you have no allergy, I highly recommend this company's  bedding, to help protect your health in the cleanest environment possible.

Thanks to CleanRest® , one lucky Nuts 4 Stuff reader in the United States wins a mattress encasement, two pillow encasements, and one box spring mattress encasement in the size of their choice (up to a $194.97 value)!

 CleanRest® Box Spring Encasement

  

CleanRest® Mattress Encasement

CleanRest® Pillow Encasement

Both Are Mandatory To Enter:

1. You must follow me on Google Friends Connect before any of your entries will count.  If you already follow, then tell me the name you follow me by in a comment.

2. Go to CleanRest® and tell me which product you would love to try also or something you learned from the site in another comment.

Extra Entries:

Add @Nuts4Stuff to Your Twitter and tell me so in your comment with your Twitter id--1 extra entry

Tweet CleanRest®  Protective Bedding #Giveaway @Nuts4Stuff http://tiny.cc/i36bm (can be done daily)--1 extra entry per day in another comment

Like CleanRest®  on Facebook--1 extra entry to leave in a comment

Follow CleanRest®  on Twitter--1 extra entry to leave in a comment

Subscribe to the Nuts 4 Stuff blog by email--1 extra entry (must confirm)

Subscribe to Nuts 4 Stuff in a reader--1 extra entry (Orange button in my sidebar)

List this giveaway on any giveaway site just leave a link to this post wherever you share it--2 extra entries (leave 2 separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Blog about this giveaway and and comment with a link to the post--3 extra entries (leave three separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Grab my Nuts 4 Stuff button and paste it in your sidebar--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where you left it in each comment)

Add Nuts 4 Stuff to your blogroll  (using my URL) with a link back to me (comment where you left it for 1 more extra entry)

Leave a separate comment for each entry.  Be sure you include your email address inside your comment so I can contact you if you win.   This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States.  Do follow the rules because I check entries.

This giveaway ends June1, 2011 at 12 PM Eastern Standard Time. The winner will need to respond to my email with name and shipping address within 48-hours or another winner will be picked.  

Artisana Raw Organic Nut Butters Review and Giveaway!--Ends May 9, 2011

*Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Artisana Raw Organic Nut Butters

If you have a peanut allergy but still crave a nutritious similar type of spread, you might need to look into nut butters.  The Artisana organic raw nut butter assortment provided to me for review could be the answer to solving that difficult allergy problem.  All are strictly manufactured in a peanut and gluten free facility and are delicious substitutes.

I received a Coconut Butter and a Walnut Butter, both 8-oz. jars and a variety of their 1.19 oz pouches with Almond, Cacao Bliss, Cashew, Cashini, Coconut Oil, Mac-Cashew and Pecan as well.

My favorite was their Walnut Butter, which would please any peanut butter lover.  This butter spread well in a sandwich or on crackers and tasted deliciously nutty plain. The Cashew, Almond, and Pecan varieties also were top contenders in the taste department.   The Tahini had a stronger flavor, slightly more bitter alone.  However, I added some grape jam to the Tahini butter and made a wonderful sandwich.  The Coconut Butter definitely tasted of coconut and by adding a bit of Tropical Traditions raw organic honey, (which is currently on giveaway), I created a new lunchtime treat.  Plain or with some honey, I experimented with the Cacao Bliss, Cashini, Coconut Oil, and the Mac-Cashew, with pleasing results.

Whether a peanut allergy is your problem or not, Artisana nut butters are wonderful changes for any nut lover wanting new taste possibilities.  You can do a lot with these nut butters and  from eating them plain to adding different jams, cream cheese, sliced bananas, etc. 

Furthermore, they come in both jars and in pouchs, which are perfect to pack in your handbag or briefcase, for some quick energy. 

Thanks to Artisana Organics one lucky Nuts 4 Stuff reader in the United States or Canada wins the same assortment of products I received:  10 squeeze pouches, (1 of each flavor), and the two jars (8-oz. size), a ($30 value)!


Both Are Mandatory To Enter:

1. You must follow me on Google Friends Connect before any of your entries will count.  If you already follow, then tell me the name you follow me by in a comment.

2. Go to Artisana Organics and tell me which product you would love to try first or something you learned from the site in another comment.


Extra Entries:

Add @Nuts4Stuff to Your Twitter and tell me so in your comment with your Twitter id--1 extra entry

Tweet Artisana Raw Organic Nut Butters #Giveaway @Nuts4Stuff http://tiny.cc/i36bm (can be done daily)--1 extra entry per day in another comment

Like Artisana on  Facebook--1 extra entry to leave in a comment

Subscribe to the Nuts 4 Stuff blog by email--1 extra entry (must confirm)

Subscribe to Nuts 4 Stuff in a reader--1 extra entry (Orange button in my sidebar)

List this giveaway on any giveaway site just leave a link to this post wherever you share it--2 extra entries (leave 2 separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Blog about this giveaway and and comment with a link to the post--3 extra entries (leave three separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Grab my Nuts 4 Stuff button and paste it in your sidebar--3 extra entries (leave three separate comments and tell me where you left it in each comment)

Add Nuts 4 Stuff to your blogroll  (using my URL) with a link back to me (comment where you left it for 1 more extra entry)

Leave a separate comment for each entry.  Be sure you include your email address inside your comment so I can contact you if you win.   This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States and Canada.  Do follow the rules because I check entries.

This giveaway ends May 9, 2011 at 12 PM Eastern Standard Time. The winner will need to respond to my email with name and shipping address within 48-hours or another winner will be picked.  

Learn How to Allergy-Proof Your Home!

If you're like me and suffer from allergies, then you know how miserable you can feel from seemingly innocent sources like dust or mold to countless triggers inside your house.  Though you won't be able to stop the problem, you'll be more equipped to manage your symptoms if you take proper precautions.

Invest in a high-efficiency air conditioner or a unit for a room where you can go when the weather gets hot instead of opening windows.  Keeping those windows closed will prevent letting outdoor irritants in such as tree pollens, flowers, and grass to flow in. 

Another air conditioner benefit is that it helps stop indoor mold and mite growth if the humidity level stays below 40%.  To find out how much moisture the air in your house has just go to your hardware store and buy a cheap tool for about $6.00 called a hygrometer, which measures the levels.

Here's something important you also might want to consider the next time you buy furniture.  Those prone to allergies are better off choosing leather, wood, metal or plastic pieces if possible because they are easier to wipe clean than fabric couches and chairs.  If, however, you want that upholstered set make sure that you can pick up one with washable, removable slipcovers so they can be cleaned more often.

Carpeting is not ideal for anyone with severe allergies.  In fact, new carpeting can cause a bounty of new pain for those unfortunate sufferers from all the unseen vapors that escape from some synthetic fibers.  Regardless, vacuuming often helps if your home is carpeted.  A cyclonic machine (like a Dyson) or the variety with a micro-pore or high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, can help remove particulates and allergens.

Avoid cluttering up your bedroom especially with too many cloth items where airborne allergens love to attach themselves.  For instance, cushioned headboards, an upholstered chair, throw pillows, heavy draperies, hanging clothes on the back of your door, a wicker basket where more clothes seem to land, etc. are bad ideas.  A simpler bedroom with less is best.  Blinds are also a better choice.

Use allergen-resistant covers on your mattress, box spring, and pillows to help control allergens more.  Labels with "perspiration-vapor transmission" are the best because they breathe and  sweat so that mold can't grow. 

Avoid feather pillows and down comforters on your bed as well.  Also, it is a good idea to stick to cotton sheets instead of synthetic materials when you make your bed. 

Wash your bedding weekly in hot water and any comforter, the mattress pad and the blankets monthly.

These are just a few suggestions to help you feel better with allergies.  Trust me, I know what it feels like to hurt from them and wanted to share.