Allergy season is upon us. The combination of budding trees, growing grasses, proliferating weeds, and breezy days can be a nightmare for allergy sufferers.
Keep the following tips in mind if you are affected by seasonal allergies when spring arrives in your area:
- Take off your shoes as soon as you get home and leave them by the door. This will reduce the number of pollutants inside your home. Wash all clothes you were wearing outside; do not wear them around the house.
- Take a shower before you go to bed; be sure to wash your hair. This helps you avoid taking allergens to bed with you.
- Avoid going outdoors when the pollen count is high, which is typically during hot, dry, and windy days. Pollen counts are usually highest in the morning. Do not leave windows and doors open, which can invite pollen in. Drive with your windows rolled up.
- Schedule a spring cleaning. Dust accumulated indoors over the course of the winter can sometimes be worse than outdoor allergies. For example, dust mites, pet dander, indoor plants, and mold spores in your home can all be sources of irritants. Vacuum with a HEPA filter and consider placing HEPA filter air purifiers in your house.
Common Sources of Pollen
- February through July – From trees (Examples: elm, maple, mulberry, pecan, oak)
- April through August – From grass (Examples: rye grass, Bermuda grass, orchard grass)
- June through October – From weeds (Examples: ragweed, tumbleweed, sagebrush)
Keep tabs on the pollen count in your area by checking the National Allergy Bureau’s pollen updates or your local weather forecast.
This article is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition or to give medical advice. Always consult your primary care provider for healthcare instructions. External links are provided as references and do not indicate an endorsement by Medcor. External links are subject to other sites’ terms of use and privacy policies.
References
WedMD, “How to Handle Your Spring Allergies.”
Pat Bass, “How to Treat and Prevent Spring Allergies,” VeryWellHealth.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, “Control Indoor Allergens to Improve Indoor Air Quality.”
Micahel Kerr, “Pollen Library: Plants That Cause Allergies,” Healthline.
