by Marisa Seager
Spring may come with flowers and blooming trees, but it also comes with allergies. If you’re like me then it also means lots of sneezing, congestion, a runny nose, and other symptoms. But what if I told you there’s ways to keep seasonal allergies in control besides just allergy medications?
Check the daily pollen counts. This information can be found online, on your local TV or radio station, and in your local newspaper. If you do this ahead of time, you can take allergy medications before the dreadful symptoms even start. When the pollen count is high, you can also try to avoid the outdoors for extended periods of time. Though if you have to go outside things like sunglasses and filtered masks can prevent pollen from getting into your eyes and respiratory system.
Reduce your exposure to common allergy triggers. The best time to go outside if you have seasonal allergies is right after a good rain because it’ll help clear pollen from the air. In comparison the worst time to go outside is on dry, windy days. Outdoor activities like lawn mowing, gardening, and weed pulling can really stir up allergens. So, if you have to do outside chores you should consider wearing a mask or other protective items.
Keep your indoor air as clean as possible. There’s nothing that can eliminate all allergens, but there are methods that may help. In both your home and car, it’s beneficial to use air conditioning for more than the cool down. However, don’t forget to use high-efficiency filters and stay on top of regular maintenance. To help keep the air drier you can use a dehumidifier and to clean the air you can use HEPA filters. Now if you’re up for the investment, a good air purifier can work wonders for your allergies not only in the spring but year round.
Stop the pollen from sneaking in. This may be a surprise to some, but pollen often comes home with you on your shoes and in your hair. By removing your shoes when you come inside, you are preventing the pollen from getting tracked throughout your house. Similarly, allergy causing elements can get trapped in your hair after spending time outside. A good way to combat this is to thoroughly wash your hair in the shower once you’re home.
Try changing up your diet. There are certain foods that can help to reduce your allergies. Some examples include fruits that are rich in Vitamin C and fish that are high in Omega 3s. There are also a few ingredients that you can try working into your meals including the following: ginger, honey, walnuts, tomatoes, citrus fruits, and turmeric.
