Got Spring Allergies? Learn to Control Them!

Spring allergies can quickly transform a sunny day spent enjoying the outdoors into a nightmare of pollen-induced sneezing, wheezing, and excessive mucus production. While there’s no quick fix for allergies, there are plenty of ways that you can ease your suffering and avoid exposure to pollen and molds.

Treating Your Symptoms

Already have allergies? There are plenty of ways that you can reduce the effects of your allergy symptoms. You’re probably already taking an over-the-counter or prescription medication, but there are some simple things that you can do at home, too.

• Try nasal irrigation (also known as neti) to not only loosen and drain mucus buildup in the sinuses and nose, but also to flush out the pesky pollen that’s causing your symptoms in the first place.
• Eye drops can help reduce that puffy redness that makes the whole world seem a little blurry.
• While herbal solutions don’t necessarily have proven effectiveness, some allergy sufferers have said to find relief when taking butterbur, quercetin, and stinging nettle.

The best way to avoid allergy symptoms, though, is to stop them before they start.

Avoiding Pollen

To cut down on your exposure to pollen, try the following…

• Pollen counts are highest in the morning, so limit your outdoors time to the afternoon and evening.
• Shower (and wash your hair) after you spend time outside, to wash pollen off of your skin and reduce inhalation later on.
• Throw your clothes in the laundry as soon as you get home to avoid spreading pollen throughout your home.
• Wear a mask while doing yard work.
• Avoid wall-to-wall carpeting in favor of easily washable throw rugs, and use blinds instead of cloth curtains.

Want to learn more? Check out this infographic about some common allergy causes and symptoms, as well as a few ways to turn your home into a “safe zone”!

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