6 Ways To Manage Your Springtime Allergies

Nothing puts a damper on spring quite like a stuffy nose, sneezing, itchy eyes and ear congestion. These are just a handful of the pesky side effects that come along with springtime allergies. For those who find themselves struggling with seasonal allergies each year, you're not alone.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hay fever (also known as allergic rhinitis) can affect as many as 60 million people per year in the United States. A term commonly used when discussing seasonal allergies, allergic rhinitis occurs when allergens such as pollen enter your body and your immune system mistakenly identifies these allergens as a threat.

A single plant can produce a sizable amount of pollen, so avoiding the allergen altogether is nearly impossible. There are, however, some simple tips to manage your springtime allergies. To keep your allergies in check, Banner Health is here with six helpful ways you can control springtime allergies.

1. Choose The Right Allergy Medication

One of the most important steps you can take in managing your springtime allergies is to find an allergy medication that works best for you. Among the medicines available to those with allergies are antihistamines and decongestants. Your doctor can help you choose the medication(s) that will work best for you, but you can expect each medication to work as follows:

• Antihistamines: An allergen causes your body to release a chemical called histamine. This chemical inflames the tissues in your nose and changes the mucus you produce. Antihistamine medications prevent histamine from affecting the nasal tissues.

• Decongestants: As the nose tissues produce more fluid and mucus, you may feel congestion and pressure in your nose and head. You may even have trouble breathing through your nose. Decongestants help reduce the fluids. This relieves pressure and allows more air to flow through your nose.

Additionally, your doctor may recommend the use of a neti pot to treat your allergy symptoms. This small teapot-shaped vessel is used to pour liquid in one nostril and out of the other. A neti pot helps flush out the nasal passages by washing away allergens and other debris. When utilizing a neti pot, it is vital that you use the vessel carefully and use properly treated water.

Learn More About Allergy Conditions And Treatments

2. Keep Your Home Clean And Dust-Free

A tidy home can be a great defense against springtime allergies. Among the chores that will keep your home safe from pollen and other allergens are vacuuming rugs and carpets regularly, and dusting frequently. When dusting, you can use a damp cloth to remove pollen and mold from items in your home.

Also be sure to keep your air conditioner clean or replace filters often. To clean your air conditioner filter, turn off the unit, vacuum the filter, wash the filter and when needed, replace the filter.

3. Stay Updated On Daily Pollen Counts

Watching your local news is a great way to stay updated on daily pollen counts, but there are also a variety of sources available online. Pollen.com allows you to type in your city or ZIP code to get daily pollen forecasts and even pollen forecasts for the next five days or previous pollen forecasts. After viewing the pollen forecast, if you notice that the pollen count is particularly high, you should consider avoiding extended periods outdoors.

4. Keep Windows Closed

Another simple way to keep those allergies at bay is by keeping windows in your home and car closed. Unfortunately, keeping your windows open is one of the fastest ways for pollen to make its way into your home and car. Instead of cracking open a window, keep cool by turning on your AC. When inside your home, it’s important to use your AC instead of a fan. If pollen has managed to find its way inside, a fan can circulate that pollen, potentially triggering allergies.

5. Purchase A HEPA Filter

A high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter is capable of removing at least 99.97 percent of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The efficiency of HEPA filters make them ideal for reducing the number of allergens in your home. On average, you can expect to pay $20-$50 for a single HEPA filter.

Unsure of where to place your air purifier? Greg Golden, DO, a pulmonologist and critical-care specialist at Banner Health in Colorado, suggests placing it in a space where you spend a lot of time.

“Most filters on the market are good at filtering out particles like dust and pollen, but they aren’t great at removing gaseous pollutants like VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or radon. That being said, I still suggest that my patients who suffer from allergies or asthma use an air purifier with a HEPA filter in locations where they spend lots of time to help remove some fine airborne particles,” he said.

6. Choose Glasses Over Contacts

As convenient as contact lenses may be, they can trap pollen against your eyes, which can in turn trigger allergy symptoms. When you wear glasses, you can potentially reduce your allergy symptoms due to the protection they provide. And if you don’t wear prescription glasses, sunglasses can help keep pollen or other allergens from entering your eyes (and protect your eyes from harmful UV rays).

Let Banner Health Help You Control Your Springtime Allergies

Sources:

Banner Health: Should I Get an Air Purifier? The Pros and Cons
Banner Health: What Cold Meds Should I Be Taking?
Banner Health: 7 Winning Tips To Battle Dreaded Seasonal Allergies
CDC: Allergens and Pollen
EPA: What is a HEPA filter?