Spring is all about flower buds and blossoming trees – but if you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from seasonal allergies, it’s also a time of sneezing, congestion, runny noses, and other annoying symptoms. Seasonal allergies – also known as hay fever and allergic rhinitis – can make you miserable. But before you settle for plastic flowers and artificial grass, try these simple strategies to keep spring allergy under control.
1- Reduce your exposure to allergy triggers
To reduce your exposure to the elements that trigger your allergy signs and symptoms (allergens):
- Stay indoors on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps remove pollen from the air.
- Avoid mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, and other gardening activities that can produce allergens.
- Take off any clothes you’ve worn outdoors and take a shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
- Don’t hang laundry outside – pollen can stick to sheets and towels.
- Wear a face mask if you’re working outdoors.
2- Take extra measures when pollen counts are high
Signs and symptoms of seasonal allergies can appear when there’s a lot of pollen in the air. These measures can help you reduce your exposure:
- Check your local TV or radio station, your local newspaper, or the Internet for forecasts and current pollen levels.
- If high pollen levels are forecast, start taking allergy medication before your symptoms appear.
- Close doors and windows at night if possible, or at any other time when pollen counts are high.
- Avoid outdoor activities early in the morning, when pollen counts are highest.
3- Purify indoor air
There’s no miracle product to eliminate all allergens from the air in your home, but these tips can help:
- Use air conditioning in your home and car.
- If you have forced-air heating or air conditioning in your home, use high-efficiency filters and follow a regular maintenance program.
- Dry indoor air with a dehumidifier.
- Use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your bedroom.
- Clean floors often with a HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner.
4- Rinse your sinuses
Rinsing the nasal passages with a saline solution (nasal irrigation) is a fast, inexpensive, and effective way to relieve nasal congestion. Rinsing directly removes mucus and allergens from the nose.
Saline solutions can be bought ready-to-use or in kit form to be added to water.
5- Take allergy medication
Antihistamines can help adults and children who suffer from sniffles and runny noses. Antihistamines, which block your body’s response to allergies, usually work in less than an hour. But read the package carefully. Some older medications, such as chlorpheniramine, clemastine, and diphenhydramine, can cause drowsiness.
6- Drink plenty of water
Water is essential to a healthy life. Good hydration helps combat excess congestion due to spring allergies by thinning mucus in the nasal passages. Drinking plenty of water also helps prevent allergies and sinus headaches.
7- Avoid being outdoors during peak allergy times
Every spring, trees release millions of tiny pollen particles into the air. Simply breathing the air can trigger allergic reactions. When pollen counts are high, avoid going outside as much as possible. Especially in the morning between 5 and 10 a.m., on windy days, and dry, hot days.
Protect your eyes with sunglasses and wear a mouth mask when gardening. Avoid bringing pollen into your home by showering, washing your hair, and changing your clothes.
8- Prevent symptoms before they appear
Prevention is key. Don’t wait until your allergies get out of control. Consult your allergist for a treatment plan before the spring allergy season begins, and take allergy medication as soon as the first symptoms appear. Start taking your allergy medication a week before allergy season to get it working in your system.
9- Take an all-natural approach
Natural remedies can help relieve symptoms. Of course, the best way to manage allergies without medication is to make sure you avoid known triggers. If you’re feeling congested, saline nasal irrigation with a neti pot can help clear pollen, dust, and pet dander from the lining of your nose. Saline irrigation also helps thin nasal discharge so that it can be blown away, and gently moisturizes the nasal mucosa. Products labeled “natural” may not be safe for all users. Some remedies may cause other allergic reactions. Consult your allergist to find out which natural remedies are right for you.
10- Change your clothes
Wearing comfortable clothes when you come home can be relaxing and help you manage your allergies. Pollen and other allergens can stick to your clothes, shoes, hats, and other accessories. As soon as you get home, ditch your outdoor clothes for a clean, pollen-free outfit. Get into the habit of putting these clothes in the laundry to be washed as soon as possible.
11- Add a shower to your evening routine
If you don’t shower at night, it may be time to consider a change. Rinsing off before bed helps eliminate allergens that cling to your hair, face, and body throughout the day. You’ll also avoid transferring pollen to your pillow. Finally, a hot shower before bed can be incredibly relaxing. So add a shower to your evening routine and wake up refreshed and ready to face the day.
In which months do spring allergies occur?
The timing of spring allergies varies according to region and weather conditions, but in general, spring allergies can start as early as February or March and last until June. Tree pollen is most abundant in April and May, while grass pollen generally peaks in late spring and early summer.
Seasonal allergies are most common in spring and autumn when pollen and mold spores are most abundant in the air. However, some people may experience symptoms all year round due to exposure to indoor allergens such as dust mites and pet dander.
What are the symptoms of spring allergies?
When you’re allergic to pollen, your immune system sees it as a foreign substance. It then reacts. This can lead to the following symptoms:
- Sneezing
- Stuffy nose (congestion)
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Itchy nose, eyes, or palate.
If you suffer from allergic asthma, you may also experience asthma symptoms when pollen counts are high.
Last Updated on April 26, 2024
