Spring buds and blooms are a sure sign that winter is over and seasonal allergies are on their way.
Pollen, the yellow dust coating your car, is a top seasonal allergy trigger. Generated primarily from trees, weeds and grasses, pollen can trigger symptoms including a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, watery eyes and pressure in the nose and cheeks.
It is possible to reduce some of these symptoms without medication. The University of Alabama’s Dr. Richard Friend offers some suggestions.
To avoid pollen triggers inside:
- Take your shoes off at the door.
- Wash your clothes, and take a shower after you come in from outdoor activities, especially if you have been working in the yard.
- Wipe down pets before they come into the house as pollen clings to fur.
- Keep your windows closed, and run the air conditioner. Change filters on your air conditioner more frequently.
- Consider washing your hair before bed so that pollen collected on your hair during the day won’t transfer to your pillow.
- Use a vacuum with double-bagging or a HEPA filter.
To enjoy the outdoors:
- Track the pollen count, and avoid going outdoors when it is high. Several online sites provide up-to-date information on local pollen counts.
- Pollen counts are highest in the morning, so plan outdoor activities for later in the day.
- Hot, dry and windy days are peak allergy days. Plan outings when it’s cooler and less windy. After a rain is a good time to go outside.
- When mowing the lawn, use a mask and protective glasses.
- Keep car windows and sun roofs closed, and use recirculating air.
Friend, a family physician, is an associate professor and interim chair of the department of family medicine at the College of Community Health Sciences and director of The University of Alabama Family Medicine Residency, which is operated by the College.
