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SPRING ALLERGIES | 5 WAYS TO BEAT SPRING ALLERGIES
5 WAYS TO BE PREPARED FOR SPRING ALLERGIES.
Chirping birds. Budding flowers. The beginning of warmer weather and longer days. These are all signs that nature is springing back to life, welcoming the new season.
But with spring comes spring allergies. That’s why taking a few steps to prepare before the season is in full bloom can help you enjoy the best of what spring has to offer—while leaving the sneezing, nasal congestion, and itchy, watery eyes behind.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
So, when exactly do spring allergies start? Depending on where you live, spring allergy season can start as early as February and last well into the summer months.1
RECOGNIZE TRIGGERS
During late winter and early spring, dormant trees come back to life and start releasing pollen into the air—making tree pollen the top trigger. Certain types of trees produce high amounts of allergy-triggering pollen. These include oak, ash, birch, elm, hickory, sycamore, and walnut.2 While you don’t need to go on a major landscaping effort to steer clear of these trees, you’ll at least know what might be triggering your allergy symptoms.
DRESS TO SUPPRESS
Wearing a hat and sunglasses when you head outside will limit the amount of pollen that blows into your eyes.3 They’ll help protect you from the sun’s harmful UV rays, too.
PLAN AHEAD
Pollen counts are typically at their highest in the evening, and on warm and windy days.4 So, if pollen counts are especially bad on a certain day, consider getting an early start on outdoor activities, when conditions are better.
You can also keep an eye on local pollen counts with The Weather Channel Allergy Tracker, brought to you in partnership with FLONASE. You’ll get a detailed, 3-day forecast on key allergy triggers in your area, so you can be prepared for when your allergies kick in.
TREAT EARLY
Stop spring allergies from raining on your fun by treating them early with something you can always count on. Once-daily FLONASE nasal sprays deliver 24-hour relief from your most bothersome allergy symptoms, including nasal congestion, itchy, watery eyes,* sneezing, and runny nose. So you can say hello to spring and goodbye to your most bothersome allergy symptoms all season long.
*FLONASE SENSIMIST is indicated to relieve itchy, watery eyes in adults and children 12 years of age and older. See product pages for full information.
Sources:
Seasonal Allergies. (2014, December 30). Accessed December 20, 2017, from
Healthline. (2016, February 11). Pollen Library: Plants That Cause Allergies. Accessed December 20, 2017, from
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. (2015, October). Pollen Allergy. Accessed December 20, 2017, from
Seasonal Allergies. (2014, December 30). Accessed December 20, 2017, from
Spring Allergies
Survival Guide
As spring rolls around, the expectations are high–flowers are blooming and the world seems to be alive and new. And, in some ways, perhaps too alive and new. It’s not just expectations that are high; so is the pollen count.
With spring comes spring allergies, bringing unfortunate side effects that’ll often stick around: stuffy noses, red and itchy eyes, and itching throats.
The root of most of these allergies is, in fact, the flower. Pollen from weeds, grasses, and trees all come together until around June, spreading torment for allergy sufferers everywhere.
While there’s no way to get away from the pollen all together, there are ways to keep allergies from getting worse, as long as these simple tips are followed.
Don’t Shower in the Morning
While this sounds far-fetched, showering in the morning actually does worsen allergies during spring. It’s not so much the shower that’s at fault, though. If you shower in the morning, by the time you get back inside, you’ll be covered head to toe in pollen particles, especially with most grasses and trees releasing pollen in the morning.
You can either move shower time until after work or take two a day – one in the morning and another after getting back from work – until pollen season ends.
Don’t Wear Shoes Inside
If you thought the first suggestion sounded crazy, you must be reeling now. But just like the shower isn’t the problem, it’s not the shoes causing the sniffles.
Wearing shoes after being outside for long periods of time inside the house means that pollen from the air and the ground collects in your shoes. Walking around the house with them on means now every room contains pollen, giving you no relief.
Take your shoes off as soon as you enter the house, leaving them in a single spot. Clean them off if you spent the day running outside.
Take Medication
Sometimes, when allergies start, they’re not so bad–just a sniffle here and there and the occasional cough. So, oftentimes, people will try to avoid taking over the counter medication, even the more convenient brands that last 24 hours.
But it’s always best to take the medication as soon as symptoms occur or even before they do. Taking the medication at night in anticipation for the morning’s allergy fit will help lower symptoms by the time you wake up.
Remember, a tickle in the throat can transform into a sore throat as soon as you step outside, so it’s best to take safety precautions, especially if you don’t know how much pollen there is outside.
Check the Pollen Count
The amount of pollen for the day can often be tracked and kept count of. Oftentimes, the local news channel can tell you what to expect for that day. If not, pollen.com keeps track of pollen counts all over the country.
Don’t leave the house blind to what to expect, especially if it’s for something that’s not urgent or will require you to be outside for long stretches of time. If the pollen count is too high that day, try to reschedule or take medication beforehand.
www.health.com
Don’t Leave the Windows Open
Out of all the advice given, this seems to be the most obvious. Pollen travels in the wind, so leaving your window open is a sure way to invite the little particles to spread themselves out all over your house, leaving no corner safe.
Spring is a beautiful time, with an array of plants blooming, animals coming back from the winter, and beautiful weather. But, if you can help it, it’s best to enjoy what springs has to offer through the window pane.
If you insist on going out or opening that window, though, take all the precautions stated above. Don’t let hay fever ruin your enjoyment of spring. Just remember to play it safe and play it smart this pollen season.
(By Nathalie Mairena)
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