Control my allergies.

If you are allergic to substances, then you have probably worked out what they are and how to avoid them. Sometimes new ones crop up or, hopefully, some go away. Other things can trigger certain allergies, whether they are airborne substances, food or contact allergies. A big trigger can be VOCs (volatile organic compounds). These are most often smelled (they are usually airborne) when you open up laminate flooring, or go into a retail store that has just put clothing on racks from a large imported shipment. Many manufacturers of clothing use chemicals to finish off the fabric and these are often sensed by people with allergies.

Whenever you buy clothing, and always buy clothing that's washable, launder it immediately. Do not use fabric softener and try and get organic or natural fiber clothing. If you need to buy laminate and not real wood flooring, for instance, check the box for "low or no VOC" labels. Always air out the planks before using, and consider buying bamboo or wood or tiles instead. Vacuuming your carpets with a HEPA filter-enabled vacuum also helps, as does dusting with a natural product that keeps the dust compacted and not airborne. If you are an extremely allergic person, having all hard surfaces, with area rugs made from cotton for instance, works a lot better.

Cats and dogs are thought to be big allergy triggers but often they are not the culprit. If they are, in your case, brushing and wiping them with an allergen remover cloth will really help, as will the vacuuming (use it on furniture as well). People with asthma or allergies may think that animals or pollen are the culprits, but check out the large allergy trigger that gluten is. This substance is found mainly in wheat, but it is also in oatmeal, barley, and a few other things. Take your magnifying glass with you when shopping. Wheat seems to be in the majority of foods, including soy sauce and many bottled sauces. Don't despair, there are more and more gluten free products that you can buy or cook with. Bananas can also trigger allergies. Who would have thought?

If you develop or have a non-life threatening allergy, you can test yourself by withholding that item from your diet, or avoid being around it or touching it. Chemicals can trigger instant blisters on those with sensitive skin, and gluten can trigger mucous production like there's no tomorrow. There's not too much you can do about wind-borne allergens but there are non-prescription simple antihistamines you can buy. If in doubt or you are worried over symptoms, see your doctor.