You beat the winter blues...but as flowers burst forth from their buds, a new foe must be faced. Spring allergies have arrived and they take no prisoners.
According to the CDC, over 24 million people are plagued with spring allergies. This annual occurrence brings common symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, and some more severe symptoms such as asthma and sinus infections. It can be frustrating, being forced to hide inside as the weather turns warmer and the world, greener. Thankfully, there are a number of "hacks" that can make the spring season easier on you.
Follow these tips so that you can survive allergies and continue living your best life.
Allergy Medications. This one may be a bit obvious, with the amount of medication you see on the market, specifically making themselves known when spring rolls around. Don't be afraid to talk to your healthcare provider about which antihistamine is right for you. It's recommended that you start taking medication 2-4 weeks before allergy season begins, so you can build up your system before the trees and plants unleash their fury.
Track Pollen Counts. Pollen.com is a great resource for tracking your local pollen levels. It will send you daily updates informing you of the day's pollen count, the top allergens, and the forecast for the coming week. That way, you can prepare in advance and won't schedule a barbeque or hike on a day with a high count.
Watch the weather forecast while you're at it--windy days are the absolute worst days to be outside because the wind blows the pollen off of the trees and spreads it everywhere! The WeatherBug app will keep you informed of the forecast and send you high pollen warnings, effectively killing two birds with one stone.
Protect yourself when venturing out. We've had a lot of practice wearing facemasks in recent years. Not only do they protect us from viruses, they also help filter airborne allergens. Try donning a facemask on your next springtime jaunt and see if it helps you. If you're worried about itchy eyes, throw on a pair of your favorite sunglasses as you walk out the door. Both of those items will offer some protection.
Keep it clean. It may be tempting to let in the fresh air, but keep those windows shut! A spring breeze will happily carry pollen into your home. Wipe down surfaces, dust, and vacuum often to keep your living space free of allergens. Wash your bedsheets and pillow cases every week because dust mites love to build up there.
Don't forget to clean yourself up as well! Pollen loves to get trapped in your hair and clothes while you are enjoying the day outside. Take a shower at the end of the day and throw those dirty clothes into a basket. Pollen can also hitch a ride on the bottoms of your shoes, so leave those at the door instead of wearing them throughout your house and tracking allergens all over.
Vanquish dust collectors. If you suffer horribly from allergies and your house's floors are nothing but carpet, you may want to consider investing in a new floor. Carpets collect and retain allergens like no other surface. Hardwood floors and other hard, smooth surfaces are easy to clean and proven to collect less allergens.
It would also be wise to store any extraneous blankets or pillows you may have lying around, as these are also infamous dust collectors. Take a look at any items you have on display and decide whether they would be better off cleaned regularly or put away.
Invest in an air purifier. A high-quality HEPA air filter can capture all sorts of allergens that may be circulating throughout your house, from dust and pollen, to pet hair and mold. When shopping around, make sure it's a HEPA filter that meets OSHA standards. Some air purifiers have been found to be unsafe, as they generate ozone.
To learn more about air purifiers, check out this article from House Method.
Now that you've been armed with knowledge, hopefully you're ready to take on surviving spring allergies. Good luck out there, and may you find moments to enjoy nature in between all of the sneezing!
