We’re in the peak of the spring season, and it’s time to prepare yourself with spring allergy tips. Spring allergies can cause constant sneezing, nasal drainage, and watery eyes. However, you won’t love that to happen to you as you celebrate the new season.
Preparing for Allergy Season: Tips for Reducing Exposure
The most common cause of spring allergies is pollen. That’s because most trees, weeds, grasses, and flowers produce pollen in the air in spring. Unfortunately, high pollen levels can make your life miserable if you have an allergy.
Don’t let seasonal allergies make your life miserable this season. These spring allergy tips can help you stay safe. Click To TweetHere are the tips to minimize exposure to seasonal allergies in spring.
- Check pollen counts regularly
- Keep windows and doors closed during high pollen count days
- Wash bedding in hot water to remove allergens
- Use a HEPA air filter to purify indoor air
- Wear a mask when doing yard work or outdoor activities
1) Check pollen counts regularly
Monitoring pollen counts can help you determine your risk of exposure to allergens. So before performing any outdoor task, get pollen forecasts through newspapers, online news, or TV. Then, schedule your outdoor activities when the pollen counts are low.
2) Keep windows and doors closed during high pollen count days
During spring, consider keeping your doors and windows closed to avoid breathing pollen-filled air. Instead, use an air conditioner to circulate clean air throughout your home and be sure you are cleaning the filter regularly.
3) Wash bedding in hot water to remove allergens
Did you know 60% of household dust comes from outdoors? Washing your and your family’s sheets and bedding weekly removes any allergens that might have found their way into any bedroom. Studies have revealed washing clothes, bedding, and soft furnishings in 130°F water helps remove 97% of pollen when washed regularly.
4) Use a HEPA air filter to purify indoor air
A HEPA (‘High-Efficiency Particulate Air’) can be set up indoors to reduce more than 99.9% of mold, pollen, dust, and other unwanted air particles out of your home. HEPA Air Filters are particularly useful for people with dust or pet allergies, as they can help remove common indoor allergens by sucking in air, scrubbing it, then releasing it back into the air. When buying an air purifier, check its capacity to ensure it’s big enough for the room you want to put it in.
5) Wear a mask when doing yard work or outdoor activities
If you do suffer from environmental allergies during spring but want to spend time outdoors for yard work or other outdoor activities, consider wearing a high-quality filtered face mask such as the N95 mask. Otherwise, you could develop a runny nose, itchy eyes, and/or hay fever.
Get Help from Pasadena Health Center
You can still have fun and enjoy spring despite having seasonal allergies now that you know a few spring allergy tips. Pasadena Health Center can also help prevent and treat symptoms with both over-the-counter and prescription medications. Some of these medications include Nasal Corticosteroid Sprays (FLONASE, Nasacort, and RHINOCORT), Antihistamines (ZYRTEC, Claritin, Allegra, CLARINEX, and Astepro), Decongestants (SUDAFED, Vicks, Sinex, and Afrin), Cromolyn Sodium (NasalCrom), and Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists (SINGULAIR, Zyflo CR, and ACCOLATE). Be sure to discuss with a doctor before starting any new medication and read all side effects and allergic reactions.
Contact us today to discuss your health condition with our certified health experts.