Five Ways to Ease Allergies This Spring
April 5, 2019
Spring has begun and that means allergy season has too. Everyone knows how bothersome it is waking up in the morning and having a sore throat, itchy eyes, and a runny nose. These tips will help you combat your symptoms while also enjoying the warm weather.
- Check Pollen Count Regularly
Because of all of the rain that accompanies spring, the pollen count fluctuates often. It is important to be mindful of the pollen count on any given day. Pollen can hide on many things, most commonly being grass. Pollen in grass is counted on a scale of 0 to 200. Zero to four is considered “low” on the pollen scale, and should not be very bothersome. Five to 19 is considered “moderate.” Twenty to 199 is classified as “high” on the scale, and can cause an allergy attack if you go outdoors. Anything higher than 200 is categorized “very high” and puts you at risk for an allergy attack or other major symptoms.
- Keep Windows Closed While Driving
Make sure that your vents are closed to prevent pollen from settling in the vents while you are driving. Having the windows open enables the pollen to enter the car and stick to the interior, this in turn will cause you to experience symptoms as if you were outside.
- Shower Before Bed
Your body and hair collect a shocking amount of pollen over the duration of the day. Washing the pollen off before bed can ensure that you do not experience this symptoms as you sleep. It is also important to wash your clothes from that day as they can collect pollen too.
- Flush Out Your Nose
Using nasal irrigation to clear out your sinuses is very helpful in relieving irritation. A Neti pot or bulb syringe can be used to rinse out your nasal passages by passing saline through each nostril. This can be an effective way to clear the mucus trapped in your nose. Just be sure to use sterile saline and not tap water.
- Take an Antihistamine Early in the day
Taking an antihistamine before leaving the house can drastically improve your symptoms. Once the medicine is in the bloodstream, it blocks the release of histamine and its symptoms. Antihistamines can be found at every supermarket and come in a variety of strengths to choose from.
