Lower the Costs Associated with Fighting Your Allergies

Many people across the country suffer from allergies.  Whether you find yourself stuffed up on a seasonal basis, or are constantly fighting a battle with watery eyes and a runny nose, the costs of keeping your allergies in check can add up quickly.  If you are looking for ways to keep the associated costs low, consider making these changes to your allergy-fighting routine.

Lower the Costs Associated with Fighting Your Allergies

Switch to Generics

Generic medications are often less expensive regardless of the condition you are managing, and fighting allergies is no exception.  Whether you use a prescription or over-the-counter remedy, consider switching from a name brand to a generic, or store brand version.  Many prescription medications that have been on the market for some time have generic versions available that contain the same active ingredients at a much lower cost.

Over-the-counter options may also have a generic available, though these are normally referred to as store brands instead of generics.  Just like prescription medications, over-the-counter store brands contain the same active ingredients as their name brand counterparts, but are often available at a much lower cost.

Add Air Purification

Whether you can integrate a filter into your HVAC system or need to go with a stand-alone unit, investing in the best air purifier you can afford can make your home environment much more comfortable.  Not only can these products help pull allergens out of the air, they can also lower the amount of other pollutants or contaminants that may be present.  This can be especially helpful during the months where the air in a home becomes stagnant.

In order to keep these systems running properly, it is important to adhere to any manufacturers standards regarding the management of the filter.  An old filter will not be able to remove the allergens from the air as well as a newer one, so make sure you are aware of the recommended replacement schedule and plan accordingly.

Avoid Your Irritants

One of the simplest ways to lower the costs associated with having allergies is to avoid your allergens whenever possible.  For example, if you have allergies associated with particular scents, animals, or plants, make sure that friends and family are aware so that they can help by avoiding bringing those contaminants into your space.  If your workplace is supportive, you may also be able to mark your work area as an allergen-free zone and request that anyone in contact with your allergen avoid your work area whenever possible.

While this technique may not always be available, avoiding your allergen at every opportunity can be beneficial in the long-run.

Buy Supplies on Sale and in Bulk

Whether it is a medication, a cleaning supply, a particular brand of tissue, or any other product you use in the battle against your allergies, try to purchase what you need when it is on sale, or buy it in bulk if possible.  While buying in bulk does not always offer cost savings, it more often does.  Similarly, a significant store sale may be a great time to buy what you need in large quantities, so you can take advantage of the lower price by preparing for the long-term.

It is important to note that allergy medications that contain pseudoephedrine may have restrictions regarding the quantity that can be bought within a certain period of time.  In these cases, you may not be able to buy more than a specific amount with a given time period.

Gordon Buckland