If you are working at home, and you are an allergy sufferer, there are things you can do to prevent spending the day sneezing, itching, and coughing.

“With more people working at home, there can be things in the workplace that can cause allergies,” said Alan Hubbard, NTI’s Chief Operating Officer. “It is important to check your surroundings to see if there are things that are causing you problems.” For more than 25 years, NTI has been helping Americans with disabilities and their caregivers find at-home jobs with free training and job placement services. You can register for free at www.ntiathome.org.

Suffering from allergies can make you tired and make it unable for you to complete your work tasks.

The first step is to see what is going to cause your allergies to be a problem. Dust mites, mold, and pollen are common things to look out for. Leaving old newspapers or magazines in your office space can cause problems for some. Opening windows can prevent outside allergens from coming into your office.

Other things to watch out for in your workplace, according to WebMD, are aerosols, chemical fumes, cigarette smoke, cockroaches, cold air, dust, fresh paint, humid air, mildew, perfumes, scented products, pet dander, wood smoke, and weather fronts.

While getting tested by a doctor will tell you what you are allergic to, there are things you can do in your space to make sure you aren’t feeling the effects.

First, make sure you are dusting your area frequently. If you are bothered by dust, it is suggested that you use a mask. You also want to make sure your work area is well-ventilated, and humidity isn’t a problem.  You might also consider removing the carpet, because allergens can live them, while a portable air purifier could be a big help, according to WebMD.

For more helpful tips, you can read this article by WebMD.

(For more than 25 years, NTI has been helping Americans with disabilities and their caregivers find at-home jobs with free job training and placement services. You can register at www.ntiathome.org.)