Tips for Coping With Spring Allergies

Spring Allergies Overview 

After a cold winter comes the beauty of spring. The scent of freshly mowed lawn. The blooming of flowers. The bursting of tree buds. While these are wonders during the spring season, but for people with spring allergies, they can be nightmares. The sneezing, congestion, runny nose, and other bothersome symptoms can affect one’s quality of life. 

Living with spring allergies can be challenging any time of year but the spring allergy can be especially miserable because nothing feels better than spending time outside in the warm sun. Fortunately, some practical tips can help alleviate your spring allergy symptoms. 

Coping with Spring Allergies

During the spring season, pollens can be hard to avoid especially if you have to constantly go outside. Here are some tips to help you get through this season:

• Prepare medications. 

You never know when your allergy symptoms may occur but it’s better to be prepared. You can treat your spring allergy symptoms with over-the-counter medications. They come in the form of oral pills or oral and nasal spray. Opt for a non-drowsy formula to not affect your daily activities or normal sleep pattern. 

• Do not go outside when the pollen count is high. 

Exercising outside when pollen counts are high might be a bad idea. Exercises can cause you to breathe more deeply and increase your chances of inhaling pollen. If you have to, exercise before dawn or early evening and take a non-drowsy antihistamine before you go.

• Immediately change your clothes after coming into your house. 

After coming from a long walk or running errands, change your clothes when you go inside. Consider showering and washing your hair before going to bed. It helps get rid of accumulated pollen that could otherwise end up in your pillow, where you can inhale it. 

• Keep your windows closed. 

It’s essential to keep the indoor air as clean as possible to lower exposure to pollen. One way of doing that is by keeping all the windows shut. If you wish to open your windows or you want to sleep with the windows open, at least install window screen pollen filters.

• Place air purifiers in your home. 

Purchase an air purifier and if it’s possible, place it close to the window. It will help trap pollen before they get a chance to circulate in the room and cause you irritation. There are many types of air purifiers available, but for the best results, it’s best to buy one that features HEPA filtration. 

• Reduce your exposure to pollen when you are outside. 

Wear sunglasses and a hair covering, such as a hat, when you’re outside. It also helps that when you’re in the car, you set your air conditioner to the “recirculate air” setting.

Conclusion

You don’t have to dread the spring season. With the right treatment and preparation, you can manage your spring allergies and still enjoy the season. 

If you’re looking for an allergist, Dr. Paul Jantzi can help you. He is board-certified in allergy and immunology and provides allergy treatments in Brazos Valley. Schedule an appointment now and learn more about how you can better prepare yourself this coming winter.