Spring is well underway, bringing with it migrating birds and blossoming trees. For some, spring also marks the start of allergy season. According to the CDC, 19.2 million adults and 5.2 million children in the U.S. suffer from seasonal allergies or hay fever.
Due to climate change, pollen seasons are getting longer and starting earlier. Rising carbon emissions are helping boost the growth of trees and grasses in many regions, resulting in heightened pollen concentrations and hay fever symptoms.
There’s no way to completely avoid pollen, although there are some steps you can take to help reduce symptoms.
Find hay fever medication that works for you
There are numerous options to choose from when it comes to over-the-counter allergy medication, from nasal sprays to eye drops and pills. Trial and error is the best way to see which works best for the symptoms you experience. If these still do not work, an allergy specialist can help formulate a plan to find a treatment that helps alleviate your allergies.
Be aware that most take a few days or weeks to provide relief from hay fever symptoms. A top tip is to make sure you have taken your medication early in the season so your body is ready to fight off those allergies.
Consider nasal irrigation
A great medication-free option to consider is to bathe your sinuses. Using a squeeze bottle or bulb syringe you can pour a saline solution up one nostril and let it drain out of the other. Carrying out this ancient practice can help you feel less congested and leave you needing less allergy medication.
Reduce household pollen
By changing your clothes and taking your shoes off as soon as you enter the house, you will remove any pollen you may have stuck to you. Another great tip on the front is showering before getting into bed and removing any furry friends from the bedroom. They might be adorable but pollen particles can stick to their coats. Air purifiers can also help filter your bedroom while you sleep from any pesky pollen, dust, animal dander, and other particles.
Plan your outdoor time wisely
Multiple weather apps offer “allergy forecasts” which supply detailed pollen updates of different plant species. This useful tool can help avoid peak pollen times and reduce the symptoms you experience. Wearing a high-quality mask, the kind used to protect against coronavirus, can also help filter out pollen particles in the air.
Try to avoid going outside in the early morning and midmorning when the pollen count is highest. Hot, dry, and windy days can also be particularly bad for allergies.
