Spring Allergies and How to Beat Them
If you’re anything like this writer, you have been counting down the days until Spring. At the time of this blog, we’re still a few days away and it can’t come soon enough. The only downside is that it comes with one of my greatest nemesis’… Spring allergies. If you are reading this, my best guess is that you are also plagued by this annual torture and you’ve likely already started to feel it coming on.
The good news is, there are several ways you can treat your Spring Allergy symptoms to eliminate them all together or, at least, make life more tolerable.
Stay Indoors
Well, I think we’ve all got this one covered. Seriously, though. We’re all desperate to get outside, but limiting your time in the great outdoors will help keep your symptoms at bay, simply by not allowing allergens access. Be sure to check your areas pollen count in the morning and if it’s predicted to be a high day, try to keep it short when venturing out, even more so when windy.
Don’t Air Dry Laundry
It’s one of the easiest ways to keep pollen out, that you probably haven’t thought of…don’t hang clothes on the clothesline during allergy season. Sure it saves energy and smells great, but you’ll lose in the long run when you wipe a towel across your eyes.
Make Simple Changes Inside
After spending the last year sequestered to our homes, it’s tempting to keep the windows open to get some fresh air. However, when trying to combat Spring Allergies, it’s best to keep your space locked up tight. Use fans to move air around inside and, when needed, an air conditioner which naturally filters out some allergens.
Start a no shoes indoors policy and don’t be afraid to ask guests to do the same. By leaving your shoes at the door, you’re much less likely to carry allergens throughout the house.
Another sure fire way to help with what you’re breathing in is to clean floors with a vacuum with a HEPA filter. These filters are said to trap over 99% of particles. Investing in a HEPA filter air purifier would also be worth it. Just be sure you purchase the proper size for the area you’d like to cover.
See the Dr. Before the Season
Seeing an Allergist could help you stay ahead of your symptoms and don’t wait for them to start. For the New England area, it’s suggested that Spring Allergy sufferers begin treating symptoms in February. If you’re unlucky like myself, you suffer from year long allergies and therefore get allergy testing every few years. You might want to look into this. It could help pinpoint your exact allergens and give your allergist or Ear, Nose and Throat doctor more specific ways to treat you.
Nasal Irrigation
A long used solution to lessening allergen effects is nasal irrigation with a Neti pot or similar. By rinsing your sinuses with sterilized salt water, you’re helping to wash those allergens right out of there and it can help with sneezing, itchiness, sinus headaches, nasal congestion and hoarseness.
Keep That Mask On
Wearing your mask to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 is also protecting you from breathing in allergens.
*Always check with you doctor before taking any medications or starting any regimens.
