Days of our Lives’ Alison Sweeney Interview on Allergy Relief!
Alison Sweeney (NBC)
It’s a pretty well known fact that Alison Sweeney is an extremely busy working mother. Not only does she continue to portray Sami Brady in front burner storylines on Days of Our Lives, but she also hosts The Biggest Loser, has two children and uses her celebrity status to help promote causes and campaigns that have particular meaning to her. Sweeney’s latest contribution is to the American Pharmacists Association and McNeil Consumer Healthcare campaign to promote treatments and tips for allergy and nasal congestion sufferers.
I recently had the opportunity to talk to Alison about her involvement in the campaign, as well as learn her tips for combating allergies.
Soaps.com: How did you get involved in this campaign?
Alison Sweeney: I’m an allergy sufferer. I’ve actually had allergies all my life and so when McNeil approached me to become part of this campaign to raise awareness for allergy sufferers, I was really happy to do it because basically, they discovered like eighty percent of people allow their allergies to slow them down. As a mom, I have two kids, I have two jobs and I was even joking the other day on Twitter, like, Sami cries enough as it is, I can’t have Sami crying because I forgot to take my allergy medicine. It’s things like that and I found that the Zyrtec-D, which is what I take, is behind the counter and so I wanted to make sure, and the Pharmacy Association and McNeil wanted to let people know their medicine is available behind the counter, as well as in the aisles.
Soaps.com: What is the extent of your role in the campaign?
Alison: Just getting out there to raise awareness for it and different press opportunities for it and interviews like this one and talking to people about it and getting the word out and bringing awareness to the website, which is BTC Center (Behind the Counter).
Soaps.com: I was unable to access the site, as it is not made available to people in certain states (Illinois, Maine, Missouri and New Mexico). What can people find on the site to help them with their allergies?
Alison: It’s a great website. It’s basically, they have all sorts of information and answer questions and I have a tip sheet with five tips on how to deal with allergies.
Soaps.com: What are your top tips for fighting allergies and nasal congestion?
Alison: Avoid triggers when possible; that’s the first tip. You know, I’m allergic to cats for example, so I’m grateful that Sami, you know we’ve always played with dogs in Salem, so I didn’t have to worry about anyone with a cat because I’m really, really allergic to cats. So avoid those triggers when you can, but obviously that’s not always possible.
Wash your hands, which is a good one. You know, making sure you don’t spread any of those allergens to other places once you get in contact with someone.
Act fast is another one. Sometimes I get to work in the morning and I forgot to take my allergy medicine first thing, so I’m on set and all of a sudden I start to get really congested, which is another major symptom, and the second I feel it coming on, I have to take it because you know, [they] don’t really address it when people are sick or when anything happens like that in a scene, they don’t write it in because it’s just one of those things you live with in Salem. So I just take my allergy medicine and I take Zyrtec-D and it goes away.
My next tip is to be prepared, which part of that is have [your medication] with you. I keep a stash in my dressing room and I have some in my purse that I take with me when I go on location shoots and stuff.
Then the fifth tip is to know your options. That one is to talk to your pharmacist and to ask questions about it if you have congestion or allergies and you want to understand what your options are. You can go to the BTC Center Website to get more information.
Soaps.com: Since you live in Los Angeles, one would think that because the change in seasons aren’t as drastic, you wouldn’t have as tough a time with your allergies.
Alison: It’s just the opposite. It’s like allergy season all year long. It’s like always something that kind of triggers it, whether it’s windy or if it just rained or whatever it is. You know congestion happens all the time, it’s always something I guess. That’s exactly why I say be prepared. I always have [my medication] with me so I’m never caught off guard.
Soaps.com: You’re an extremely busy working mom, lending your celebrity status to various causes and campaigns. How do you balance working on two series, taking care of two children and all your other side projects?
Alison: You’re right. It’s definitely busy and I try to focus on just doing things one day at a time, not overwhelming myself like how big my responsibilities are for the whole week. I just think, ‘Okay. Today I’m going to do this.’ Sometimes it can be tiring and sometimes I get home at night and I’m exhausted, but I always try to give myself time with my son and take breaks and not let it all come crashing down on me.
Sounds like great advice! For more information on how to combat your symptoms and survive the allergy season, check out the BTC Center Website.
Also, stay tuned for more of my interview with Alison, as we discussed what’s coming up on Days, the cancellation of Guiding Light and her new addiction!
- Lori Wilson
