Have allergies… can’t play. Right?
Wrong!
Allergies could not and should not prevent you from enjoying the wonderful feeling and all the other benefits that only a good game of any sport can provide. Whether you’re into high intensity action sports, fast paced team sports, casual, relatively low impact sports, or even just the run of the mill card based sports like poker, you should not let your allergies get the better of you.
Allergies are not that big a hindrance to your enjoyment of sport if you really want to overcome it. With the proper care and attention, you will be able to engage in your favorite sport anywhere you like (in the field, in the gym or in your backyard!), and whenever you have the inexplicable urge to (even if it was at 4:00 in the morning).
Of course, the first thing you should do is to truly understand your situation. See your doctor and get yourself tested. The earlier you find out about your allergies, the better it is for you.
Knowing your specific allergies is very important. Furthermore, knowing all of your allergies is even more crucial. After all, preventing and treating one allergy would not account for much if another allergy will still end up slowing you down. Remember, knowing the enemy is a very big, very important part of the battle.
Once you are aware of all your allergies, learn to determine what things trigger them and learn how to prevent them. Knowing the triggers of your allergies helps you to avoid them entirely, and if this is not possible, you can reduce your exposure to them. For example, wearing the proper type of clothing can make a huge difference in your fight against skin allergies. For this type of allergy, a common preventive measure used is to use cotton based apparel as a substitute for those that are made of wool and nylon. Cotton is a more breathable textile thus it is less irritating to the skin. It also keeps your body a lot less sweaty than when you use wool.
Prevention is always a lot better than treatment so put the required effort here. It will be well worth your while.
There are those times though, that even when you have been as cautious as you think you could possibly be, these pesky allergies still get to you. When this happens, you should be ready to treat it. Always have your medicine with you at all times. You should also inform your team mates about the condition you are in. Tell them about your allergies and what they can do to help just in case you get a reaction during the game.
Playing and competing with your friends through sports is one of the most exciting things in life. It is a very good way to keep fit and to stay active. It is far too important to refrain from just because of allergies. Arm yourself with the proper knowledge and determination and you will not have to. You can overcome your allergies and you can unleash your potential on the courts or on the tracks.
