Section 1: Environmental Allergies
Seasonal and Environmental allergies can be tough when you are away from home and out of your normal environment. Some people with environmental allergies get allergy shots. If you are one of those people, talk to your doctor about what works best for you. If your doctor is far away, see if the student health will give you your shots or if you should find a doctor near campus. If your doctor is worried about a reaction, avoid scheduling your shots before classes just in case you don't feel well.
If you are considering schools in a different climate than that which you grew up in, do a little research to find out the top allergens in that area. In a northern climate trees and grasses, ragweed and leaf mold are the major allergens. In the southern climate, flowering plants and trees bloom all year long. In the city, smog and dust may be more of a concern than a rural or suburban campus where plants are the main allergens. In rural areas whole fields of ragweed send allergens sailing in the air for weeks.
You might even consider the type of pet your roommate has at home. Pet hairs and dander are hard to remove from clothing, bedding and furniture. Will your roommate be going home on weekends and bringing pet allergens back into your room?
Dorms can harbor dust and mold, which may be triggers for some allergic individuals. Although you are in a new environment there are a few things you can do to avoid allergens.
If you are considering schools in a different climate than that which you grew up in, do a little research to find out the top allergens in that area. In a northern climate trees and grasses, ragweed and leaf mold are the major allergens. In the southern climate, flowering plants and trees bloom all year long. In the city, smog and dust may be more of a concern than a rural or suburban campus where plants are the main allergens. In rural areas whole fields of ragweed send allergens sailing in the air for weeks.
You might even consider the type of pet your roommate has at home. Pet hairs and dander are hard to remove from clothing, bedding and furniture. Will your roommate be going home on weekends and bringing pet allergens back into your room?
Dorms can harbor dust and mold, which may be triggers for some allergic individuals. Although you are in a new environment there are a few things you can do to avoid allergens.
- Wash your sheets weekly to avoid allergen build up.
- Wash clothing you wear during pollen season after wearing outdoors.
- Don't sleep in clothing you have worn outdoors.
- Keep jackets and coats away from your bed.
- Dust regularly to avoid dust build up on windowsills and furniture.
- Consider purchasing something to filter the air. These can range from charcoal filters that absorb impurities to more elaborate filters.