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- Springtime allergies: Nip them in the bud
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Springtime allergies: Nip them in the bud
Relieve springtime allergies with these tried-and-true techniques.
By Mayo Clinic staffSpring means flower buds and blooming trees — and for the millions of people who have springtime allergies, it means sneezing, congestion, runny nose and other signs and symptoms. In the early spring, the major culprit is wind-borne pollen from trees. In late spring, grasses start to cause trouble. The worst springtime allergy signs and symptoms occur during hot, dry or windy days when there's a lot of pollen and mold in the air.
But before you settle for plastic flowers and artificial turf, try these simple and effective strategies. You can't completely avoid springtime allergies — but you can reduce your signs and symptoms by being prepared. Here are some tips that can help.
Reduce your exposure to pollen
There are a number of things that you can do to reduce your exposure to your allergy triggers:
- Stay indoors on dry, windy days — the best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.
- Delegate lawn mowing, weed pulling and other gardening chores that stir up allergens.
- Remove clothes you've worn outside; you may also want to shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
- Ban your pets from your bed or couch — pollen clings to pet fur.
- Don't hang laundry outside — pollen can stick to sheets and towels.
- If you do outside chores, wear a dust mask.
Take extra care when pollen counts are high
Seasonal allergy signs and symptoms can flare up when pollen counts are high. These steps can help you reduce your exposure:
- Check your local TV or radio station, your local newspaper or the Internet for pollen forecasts and current pollen levels.
- If high pollen counts are forecasted, start taking allergy medications before your symptoms start.
- Close doors and windows at night or any other time when pollen counts are high.
- Avoid outdoor activity in the early morning when pollen counts are highest.
Keep indoor air clean
There's no miracle product that can eliminate all allergens from the air in your home, but these can all help:
- Run the air conditioning in your house and car.
- Use a micron allergy-grade filter in your ventilation system.
- Keep indoor air dry with a dehumidifier.
- Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your bedroom.
- Clean floors with a vacuum cleaner that has a small-particle or HEPA filter.
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