Spring is a beautiful time of year -- unless you have seasonal allergies. Then, all those buds and blooms just mean sneezes, sniffles, and itchy eyes.
Depending on the severity of your allergies, you may rely on over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, or even allergy shots to keep your allergic reactions in check. But you can minimize your need for these medications by learning what triggers your allergies, and doing your best to avoid those triggers.
Top Seasonal Allergy Triggers
Pollen: If you step outside and your car is covered with a fine greenish-yellow haze of dust, that???s pollen. This is the fine, fertilizing powder produced by trees, grasses, and flowers. Pretty much all season long, from spring to fall, something is pollinating. Tree pollen is usually the spring culprit, while grasses get you in the summer and ragweed in the fall.
Mold: Outdoor mold spores float in the air just like pollen does, but they take a bit longer to reach their peak -- July in warmer states and fall in colder states.
Avoiding Spring Allergy Triggers: Outside
If you have severe pollen and mold allergies, you???re probably tempted to stay inside with the windows closed from April through November. But that???s no solution. Besides, whatever is floating around outside makes it inside your house anyway.
So what can you do to minimize your misery and enjoy the outdoors?
Track the pollen count. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology's (AAAAI) provides up-to-date information on its web site. Or use the Pollen Widget, found here. Avoid going outdoors when the pollen count is very high.
Hot, dry, and windy days are peak allergy days. Try to plan outdoor excursions for when it???s cooler and less windy. After a rain is a good time to go outside.
Pollen counts are highest in the morning , so plan outdoor activities for later in the day.
Get an allergy-free family member or friend to mow the lawn, which stirs up allergens. If you must mow the lawn, use a mask and protective glasses when doing these chores. You can choose a simple disposable paper mask, or for tougher allergies, a ???respirator mask??? with a HEPA filter.
Toss your clothes in the washer and take a shower after you come in from outdoor activities, especially when you???ve been working in the yard.
Going inside doesn???t end the allergy cascade. There are plenty of allergens lurking in your home in the spring. How can you keep them from overwhelming you?
Avoiding Spring Allergy Triggers: Inside
Pets, kids, even your shoes ??? all can bring pollen inside your house. Carpet and drapes can trap pollen, where it can trigger your allergies even inside. Try these tips to limit exposure:
Keep your windows closed and run the air conditioning.
Use a vacuum with double-bagging, or a HEPA filter. If cleaning stirs up your allergies, try using an allergy mask to clean like the kind you might use outside.
It sounds tempting, but don???t hang sheets and clothes on the line to dry in the fresh spring air. You???ll be bringing all those outdoor allergens inside with you.
Minimize carpeting and drapes. Consider tile and hardwood, and shutters and blinds, instead.
Take off your shoes right outside the door, before coming inside. Or at least wipe them well on an outdoor mat.
You can???t eliminate your exposure to allergens altogether. But by taking a few critical precautions, you may be able to welcome spring with a smile on your face instead of a sniffle in your nose!
Depending on the severity of your allergies, you may rely on over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, or even allergy shots to keep your allergic reactions in check. But you can minimize your need for these medications by learning what triggers your allergies, and doing your best to avoid those triggers.
Top Seasonal Allergy Triggers
Pollen: If you step outside and your car is covered with a fine greenish-yellow haze of dust, that???s pollen. This is the fine, fertilizing powder produced by trees, grasses, and flowers. Pretty much all season long, from spring to fall, something is pollinating. Tree pollen is usually the spring culprit, while grasses get you in the summer and ragweed in the fall.
Mold: Outdoor mold spores float in the air just like pollen does, but they take a bit longer to reach their peak -- July in warmer states and fall in colder states.
Avoiding Spring Allergy Triggers: Outside
If you have severe pollen and mold allergies, you???re probably tempted to stay inside with the windows closed from April through November. But that???s no solution. Besides, whatever is floating around outside makes it inside your house anyway.
So what can you do to minimize your misery and enjoy the outdoors?
Track the pollen count. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology's (AAAAI) provides up-to-date information on its web site. Or use the Pollen Widget, found here. Avoid going outdoors when the pollen count is very high.
Hot, dry, and windy days are peak allergy days. Try to plan outdoor excursions for when it???s cooler and less windy. After a rain is a good time to go outside.
Pollen counts are highest in the morning , so plan outdoor activities for later in the day.
Get an allergy-free family member or friend to mow the lawn, which stirs up allergens. If you must mow the lawn, use a mask and protective glasses when doing these chores. You can choose a simple disposable paper mask, or for tougher allergies, a ???respirator mask??? with a HEPA filter.
Toss your clothes in the washer and take a shower after you come in from outdoor activities, especially when you???ve been working in the yard.
Going inside doesn???t end the allergy cascade. There are plenty of allergens lurking in your home in the spring. How can you keep them from overwhelming you?
Avoiding Spring Allergy Triggers: Inside
Pets, kids, even your shoes ??? all can bring pollen inside your house. Carpet and drapes can trap pollen, where it can trigger your allergies even inside. Try these tips to limit exposure:
Keep your windows closed and run the air conditioning.
Use a vacuum with double-bagging, or a HEPA filter. If cleaning stirs up your allergies, try using an allergy mask to clean like the kind you might use outside.
It sounds tempting, but don???t hang sheets and clothes on the line to dry in the fresh spring air. You???ll be bringing all those outdoor allergens inside with you.
Minimize carpeting and drapes. Consider tile and hardwood, and shutters and blinds, instead.
Take off your shoes right outside the door, before coming inside. Or at least wipe them well on an outdoor mat.
You can???t eliminate your exposure to allergens altogether. But by taking a few critical precautions, you may be able to welcome spring with a smile on your face instead of a sniffle in your nose!
