How to Spring Forward and Fight Back Seasonal Allergies

Mar 19 2015

Hopefully by now most of us have adjusted to the spring forward time change. But adjusting to the seasonal allergies that spring can bring is a bit more difficult. Not to worry, we've got eight simple tips on how to spring forward and fight back seasonal allergies.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports that nearly 40 million Americans suffer from hay fever, or better known as seasonal allergies, every year. With everything from weeds to mold spores to grass and tree pollens floating through the air, airborne allergen levels are shooting through the roof; and that means your allergy symptoms (the sniffling, sneezing, and itchy eyes) are on high alert, and are apt to stay that way for months.

How to Spring Forward and Fight Back Seasonal Allergies, what can you do?

Knowledge is power. Know your top seasonal allergy triggers, like pollen and mold. Pollen is the greenish-yellow dust coating your car, and comes from trees, grasses, and flowers; while mold is a natural decomposer, its spores float in the air just like pollen and can cause allergic reactions too.

Some mold colonies peak in dry windy weather while others flourish in dampness and high humidity; but unlike pollen, mold spores do not die with the first killing frost. And according to Neil Kao, MD, an internal medicine physician specializing in allergy and immunology, "The allergy skin test is the quickest, most inexpensive, and most accurate way to find out what you are allergic to, whether it's mold, grass pollen, or a type of weed."

While you can't avoid allergies altogether, you may be able to welcome spring with a smile instead of with a sneeze, by taking a few simple steps.

How to Spring Forward and Fight Back Seasonal Allergies, Three tips for outdoor seasonal allergy relief:

For pollen allergy sufferers, hot, dry, and windy days are peak allergy days. Try to plan your trips for when it's cooler and less windy. After a rain is a good time to go outside.

Pollen counts are highest in the morning, so plan outdoor activities for later in the day.

Toss your clothes in the washer and take a shower after you come in from outdoor activities, especially when you've been working in the yard.

A lot of allergy sufferers seek refuge indoors, but unfortunately, there are plenty of triggers in your home as well as outside.

Nearly 40 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies every year. Some common triggers include: pollen, mold spores, grasses and flowers.

Did you know? A professional duct cleaning can rid 3 allergy triggers at once - preventing pollutants from re-circulating, and increase air-flow.

How to Spring Forward and Fight Back Seasonal Allergies. Five tips for indoor seasonal allergy relief:

Keep your windows closed and run the air conditioning on the "re-circulate" mode. This will exclude much of the pollen and mold from the air in your home.

Scheduling an air duct cleaning to remove the pollen and mold spores that are trapped in your ductwork is a great idea; otherwise, you're recirculating all of those allergy triggers.

Vacuum often and try double-bagging, or using a HEPA filter

Cut back on the carpeting and drapes. Consider tile and hardwood, and roll up shades instead.

Take off your shoes right outside the door, before coming inside. Or at least wipe them well on an outdoor mat.

More info? For more tips on how to spring forward and fight back seasonal allergies, check out plants to improve indoor air quality, and learn how you can actually grow clean air!

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