If you experience allergy symptoms at night, the first control steps are effective, safe and easy-to-do.

The best allergy list around can be found at allergy@listserv.uark.edu. I have participated in this list for several years and have found that the questions are relevant and the responses are accurate.

Recently someone asked about a symptom they were experiencing and wanted to know if others had the same problem. Apparently, they could not sleep at night. They felt that their eyes were "wide open" and they were restless. They knew they were allergic to dust mites. Could these symptoms be from allergies?

The answer is yes. Allergies are an immune system response. This response can manifest itself in many different ways. The more traditional ways are runny noses, inflammation and watery, itchy eyes. However, people are different and almost any symptom can be traced to an allergy. But the only way one would know for sure is to check Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. IgE is produced as part of the immune system response. No heightened IgE - no allergy. But who is going to do blood tests at night to determine IgE levels?

The short term and perhaps long term answer to neutralizing the effects of allergy in bed at night is to take the necessary steps to reduce dust mite allergen exposure at night. The way to do this is to cover the mattress and pillows in impermeable covers and to wash all linens on the bed in hot water (or use one of the special laundry detergents for this purpose). This is not that expensive. It is very effective. It is safe, easy to do and has no side effects. These simple steps will transform a bed that is literally covered with allergens to an allergen-free oasis. It is probably the one "no brainer" when it comes to environmental controls. Everyone who has allergies and is bothered by those allergies at night should follow these easy steps.

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