Combating allergies this season

Spring means flower buds and blooming trees – and if you’re prone to seasonal allergies, it also means sneezing, coughing, a runny nose and other symptoms. Seasonal allergies can also bring hay fever and allergic rhinitis according to the Mayo Clinic. But take heart: Before you settle for fake flowers and artificial turf, there are a few simple strategies you can try to help keep your seasonal allergies under control.

Reduce your exposure to allergy triggers.

On windy, dry days, it is best to stay indoors. The best time to go outside is after a good rain. Rain helps clear the pollen from the air.

When you do have to be outside, remove clothes when you get indoors and shower immediately, to rinse the pollen from your skin and hair.

Try to avoid hanging laundry outside. Pollen can stick on sheets and towels, as well as clothes.

Wear a pollen mask when doing outside chores.

Take extra steps when the pollen count is high.

Seasonal allergy signs and symptoms can flare up when there’s a lot of pollen in the air. Your local weather station is an easy way to check the pollen count in your area.

If doctor permitted, start taking allergy medications before your symptoms start.

On days when the pollen count is forecasted to be high, keep your doors and windows closed.  

Avoid outdoor activity in the early morning when pollen counts are the highest.

Try an over-the-counter remedy.

Antihistamines can help relieve sneezing, itching, a runny nose and watery eyes.

Oral decongestants can provide temporary relief from nasal stuffiness. Decongestants also come in nasal sprays. Only use nasal decongestants for a few days in a row. Longer-term use of decongestant nasal sprays can worsen symptoms (and rebound congestion).

*Consult your doctor to make sure these options are good for you.

Rinse your sinuses.

Rinsing your nasal passages with saline solution is a quick, reasonable and effective way to relieve nasal congestion. Rinsing directly flushes out mucus and allergens from your nose.  Be sure to rinse the irrigation device after each use with similarly distilled, sterile, previously boiled, and cooled, or filtered water and leave it out in the open to air-dry.

Don’t give up and go see your doctor!

For many people, avoiding allergens and taking over-the-counter medications will put allergy symptoms at bay. But if your seasonal allergies seem to be unbearable, there are still several other available treatments that are available. Your doctor may recommend that you have skin or blood tests to find out the source of what triggers your symptoms. Allergy testing can help determine what steps you need to take to defeat allergies and help you discover which treatment is best for you.

Springtime should not be a miserable time. New life in nature begins, flowers awaken, and sunshine lasts longer. Follow these tips so you can go out and enjoy beautiful spring days.