Monica Patadia, MD
Spring means the end of winter and the start of budding flowers, leaves blowing in the warm wind, and, yes, allergens in the air. Millions of people suffer from seasonal allergies. Allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, congestion, and a runny nose, can make life miserable if proper precautions aren't taken. Thankfully, there are simple tips you can follow to nip your spring allergies in the bud.
Reduce Exposure to Things that Trigger Your Allergies
While you won't be able to avoid every allergy trigger, there are steps you can take to mitigate the worst allergy signs and symptoms:
- Stay indoors as much as possible, especially on dry and windy days. The best time to head outside is after it has rained which removes much of the pollen from the air.
- If possible, avoid mowing the lawn or other gardening activities that can send allergens into the air around you. If you must do gardening, wear a face mask and glasses.
- If you hang your laundry outside to dry, try to avoid doing so. Pollen can stick to sheets and especially towels. If you need to hang laundry outside, do so in the later afternoon when pollen counts have settled.
- If you need to go outside, avoid doing so early in the morning. This is when
pollen counts are the highest.
Take Extra Precautions to Avoid Allergens
Depending on the severity of your allergies, the previous suggestions may be enough to mitigate them.
However, if they are especially bad, these extra precautions can help further reduce your exposure:
- Before heading outside, check Loyola Medicine Allergy Count on Twitter to learn the levels of different allergens in the Chicago area for the day. This can help you prepare in case the count is especially high on a day you're spending time outdoors.
- If there is a high pollen count in your area, take allergy medications before going outside. It's best to take the medication before your symptoms start.
- While it may be nice to feel a summer breeze inside your home, keeping those windows and doors open can bring allergens inside. Keep them closed,
especially on high pollen count days.
Keep the Air inside Your Home Clean
Despite what some companies may want you to believe, there is no single magic product that will remove 100% of the allergens from your home.
However, there are ways to keep the air inside your home relatively clean:
- If you can afford it, use air conditioning inside your home and car to avoid
opening windows.
- If you use air conditioning in your home, follow the recommended maintenance schedule and use high-efficiency filters.
- When there is a particularly humid day, use a dehumidifier to keep the inside of your home dry.
- In your bedroom, use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Make sure to replace the filter every few months.
- Vacuum your floors frequently with a HEPA-filter vacuum cleaner. And don't
forget to wash them as well.
Take Over-the-Counter Medications
Some medications work better for some people than others.
Try different types of medications to see what works best for you, such as these:
- Antihistamines help stop the general symptoms of allergies, such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, and watery eyes. Examples: Cetirizine, fexofenadine and loratadine.
- Corticosteroid nasal sprays improve symptoms related to the nose. However, talk to a health care provider if you're planning on using a nasal spray long-term. Examples: Fluticasone propionate, budesonide and triamcinolone.
- Cromolyn sodium nasal spray is another type of symptom-reliever that stops
the immune system from causing allergy symptoms. Take this before symptoms appear, such as when you're about to head outside on a high pollen day. However, keep in mind that you may need to use the spray up to 6 times throughout the day.
- Oral decongestants help prevent your nasal passages from getting stuffed.
Many medications will combine antihistamines with decongestants. Examples: cetirizine-pseudoephedrine, fexofenadine-pseudoephedrine and loratadine- pseudoephedrine
Flush Out Your Sinuses
If you don't want to use medication to relieve nasal congestion, flushing out your sinuses is an inexpensive and effective option. Rinsing your nasal passages with a saline solution flushes out allergens from within your nose.
You can buy saline solutions or create a homemade option (make sure to use bottled water in homemade versions to avoid the risk of infection).
Mix together these ingredients:
- 1 quart (1 liter) of water
- 1.5 teaspoons (7.5 milliliters) of canning salt
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of baking soda
Once the irrigation device is used, run clean water through it and then let air-dry.
Remove Clothes after Being Outside
After spending time outside, it's important to quickly shower and change clothes to rinse away pollen or other allergens which can stick to your clothes. Not removing them
immediately can spread allergens to other surfaces, like your couch or bed. Also, don't walk through your house with shoes on as this can also spread allergens through different areas of your home.
Use a Mask When Outside
While staying indoors is one of the best ways to avoid allergies, that's obviously not always possible. If your allergies are severe enough, wearing a mask can help reduce your exposure to allergens. N95 masks filters out 95% of allergy-causing particles and meets the standards of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Although any mask is better than none.
