Not everyone understands how difficult it is to live with allergies, especially during the peak season. While everyone is marveling at the blooming flowers and trees coming back to life, you can barely breathe.
Your eyes swell up, you sneeze without end, or worse. Although allergy medication makes it better, springtime can be an unbearable time for you.
Follow these tips to survive the spring allergy season.
1. Spend Less Time Outdoors
Springtime is when those dangerous pollen grains get released into the air. Because they are floating everywhere, you cannot easily escape them, even when you are far away from a park. The best thing to do is to limit the time you spend outdoors to simply reduce the exposure.
If you need to head out, wear sunglasses or glasses to keep the pollen from getting into your eyes. A mask with a filter is also a good idea. Lastly, make sure you wash your hair and take a shower when you get home. Change your clothes as well.
2. Take Allergy Medication
Antihistamines are your go-to medication during allergy attacks. They work within an hour and will block the body’s response to allergens. Make sure you read the package carefully, though, because some pills might make you drowsy.
Severe allergies can be controlled by a nasal spray or allergy shots. The spray might take days to fully make a difference and allergy shots can last you a couple of years.
If you suffer regularly from allergies, you can start taking the medication days before so that it is already in your system when the pollen grains start floating around.
3. Protect Your Home
You cannot do much when you are outdoors, but when you are at home, you can make sure you keep yourself free from allergens. During the peak allergy season, fight the urge to open the windows so they do not come flying into your house.
If you need to cool your place, go for an air conditioning unit instead of a fan because the latter brings in air from outdoors. Make sure you remove your shoes and leave them at the door, just in case they get stuck in your footwear.
Cleaning your home with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter will remove any pollen or allergens from your home
Even better, you can get an air filter, which cleans the air in your home. While they are not as cheap, it is the best investment for those with extreme allergies.
4. Don’t Smoke
Smoking does not increase your chances of allergies, but it can make your symptoms much worse. Take it as a sign to quit, so that you can see your symptoms improving.
Final Thoughts
Springtime is usually a tough time for most people with allergies, simply because your triggers can be floating around the air. But this does not mean you lock yourself up at home and miss out on nature waking up from its winter slumber.
By following the right steps, you can peacefully co-exist with pollen and other allergens without sacrificing the quality of your life.
