In just a few weeks we’ll be celebrating the arrival of the spring season. While we’re all ready to welcome warmer weather, spring also means the arrival of flower buds and blooming trees – a sight for sore eyes indeed. But, if you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from seasonal allergies, blooming flowers also means sneezing, congestion, a runny nose, and many other annoying symptoms. Luckily, there are things you can do to gear up for allergy season. Here are 5 ways you can nip your allergies in the bud and embrace the warmer weather.
1. Watch the pollen count
If you’re able to, consider taking extra precautions on days when pollen counts are high. Each spring, trees release billions of tiny pollen particles into the atmosphere. When you inhale them, these particles can trigger an allergic reaction. Staying inside when pollen counts are at their highest can also help, especially when it’s windy or early in the morning, when pollen counts are highest.
When you do go outside, wear glasses or sunglasses to keep pollen out of your eyes. A cloth face mask can also help keep pollen from entering your nose and mouth. When you come back inside after a windy day, take a shower, wash your hair, and change your clothing. This will reduce the amount of residual pollen that may end up in your home.
2. Take allergy medicine
If you struggle with your sinus during spring, be sure to take preventative measures on days when you’re most vulnerable. Keep an eye on the weather report. If high pollen counts are forecasted, start taking allergy medicine before your symptoms start. Allergy medicine can help lessen symptoms for adults and children with sniffles and a runny nose.
Antihistamines, which block your body’s response to allergies, usually work in less than an hour. Remember to read the package carefully before taking any allergy medicine. For more severe allergies, try a nasal spray. Since these can have side effects like burning, dryness, or nosebleeds, use the lowest dose that controls your symptoms.
Your doctor may recommend allergy shots if other medicines can’t relieve your symptoms. These contain a tiny amount of pollen and will help your body build up resistance to it.
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3. Work out indoors
If there’s a lot of pollen (or dust) in the air, switch things up and exchange your usual outdoor exercise routine for an indoor workout. If you’ve suffered from seasonal allergies for a long time, consider investing in a treadmill or other gym equipment that you can use at home. There are also loads of indoor workout videos available on YouTube and other social media platforms.
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4. Bring out the vacuum cleaner
When it comes to allergies, not all vacuums are created equal. Clean floors with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. These filters trap 99.97% of microscopic particles in the air and prevent the vacuum from spewing the same dust back into the air. Also, regardless of whether the vacuum has a bag, it should be emptied well before the full mark, preferably by someone without allergies, says Solos. When in doubt, use a dust mask to complete this task.
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5. Turn on the air conditioner
When pollen counts are high, try to keep your doors and windows closed as much as possible to keep out pollen. Use an air conditioner to cool your home instead of a fan, which draws in air from outside. Air conditioners can also benefit allergy sufferers by reducing the humidity in the house.
If you’re looking to invest in an air conditioner for the spring and summer seasons, consider a machine like the LG ArtCool air conditioner, which has a Micro Dust Filter to capture and eliminate harmful micro-particles as well as an ionizer to help improve the air quality in your home.
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