When Fall comes round, it can mean a flair up of allergy symptoms for many people, including diabetics. No one likes coughing and sneezing their way through the day, but be careful before you reach for that over-the-counter allergy medication. It may cause your blood sugar levels to rise or drop, and can interfere with your diabetes management. To help with your allergy issues, here are a few suggestions to keep in mind.
Consider Newer Antihistamines for Fatigue
If you have problems with fatigue and tiredness, an older generation antihistamine is probably not for you. Known by brand names, like Benadryl, the first generation medications can have a sedative effect that only makes tiredness worse.
They can also make you sleepy during the day and more likely to miss a meal while napping, so you wake up with low blood sugar.
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Be Careful of Nasal Sprays
Some nasal sprays for inflamed sinuses contain steroids, which can affect your blood sugar levels. Steroids can trigger your liver to produce more sugar. If you do need a spray, consider looking for one with just a decongestant or an antihistamine.
Stop Triggers From Entering the Home
Many Fall allergies are caused by leaf mold or hay fever type reactions. You can cut back on medications and keep most of your symptoms under control indoors by keeping the doors and windows closed. You may also consider using a good high-efficiency furnace filter to help keep the indoor air clean.
Keep Dust Mites Down
Indoor allergies can be triggered by dust mites. These microscopic creatures are almost everywhere, but they like to hang out on our beds. Kill dust mites on your clothes by washing them in at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit water when doing the laundry. Use an allergy-friendly bed cover and pillow cover to keep dust mites out of your bed too.
When your allergies are particularly bad, they can leave you feeling tired, run down, and less likely to keep up with your diabetes management. Plus, some allergy medications can interfere with your diabetes treatments and blood sugar levels. Make sure to speak with your doctor when you start to get the sniffles for tailored advice and medications that keep both from hindering your daily life.
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[expand title=”References“]
Allergy Tips for People With Diabetes. URL Link. Accessed September 15th, 2017.
Ten Tips to Tackle Winter Allergies. URL Link. Accessed September 15th, 2017.
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