Allergy hacks for a better night's sleep

Gazette intern reporter

Allergy season has arrived, and so have many sleepless nights and itchy, congested days for millions across the U.S.

It is very easy to bring allergens into the home. One of the worst allergens is dust. According to the Huffington Post, up to 80 percent of dust in the home, and especially the bedroom, either was or is alive and is the major source of allergies. Dust consists of pollen, pet dander, skin, fungi, bacteria, dust mites, fabric fibers and other unwanted irritants.

To begin eliminating allergens in the home, start by eliminating dust. Wipe down all surfaces (especially in the bedroom) with a wet cloth to trap dust. To further get a better night's sleep, change in a room other than the bedroom. Allergens cling to clothing fibers and by removing clothes in the bedroom, the air quickly becomes polluted with whatever was on clothes. By dusting and also keeping windows closed, allergens have a lot smaller chance of entering the home. However, that does not mean they won't find a way in.

Additionally, showering before bed also helps remove pollen and dander that hides in hair all day long – better to wash it out rather than leaving it to cover pillows. Not to mention washing bedding weekly in water of 130 degrees Fahrenheit to kill dust mites. Be sure to also include any children's stuffed animals, because they are often a haven for dust mites and other irritants. Also, be sure to dry laundry inside rather than out on a clothesline. Clothes that are damp are a magnet for all different types of pollen and whatever else is blowing through the air.

Alternatively to these low-cost suggestions, purchasing allergen-blocking bedding to protect mattresses and pillows, dehumidifiers and HEPA filters for vacuums and HEPA air purifiers also help remove mold spores, pollen and bacteria most effectively.

But one question that remains unanswered includes why do allergies disrupt sleep if those affected follow a regime that include the suggestions from above? Immune systems tend to overreact to the flood of pollen from grass, trees and flowers and so the production of histamine overproduces to compensate for the typical symptoms allergy sufferers have.

Some symptoms may includes watery, red, itchy eyes, nasal congestion and a runny nose.

Actually it has been shown that allergy medication taken to help alleviate those symptoms interfere with sleep because when the overproduction of histamine occurs, neurotransmitters that help regulate sleep counteract with the allergy medicine, which has antihistamine in it.

Due to this, normal sleep regulation may be disrupted.

For a better night's sleep, eliminate or avoid the source of your allergies by reducing allergen presence in the home and minimize consumption of allergy medications.

If allergies worsen and nothing seems to help, it is best to visit your doctor or even an allergist.