Spring allergies are on the way, if they haven’t started yet. Tree pollen tends to blow in the wind early springfollowed by grass pollen a month or two later. If your eyes aren’t itchy yet, there are a few things you can do to prepare.
Please contact your doctor
If you see an allergist regularly – or if you haven’t, but you wanted to – consider making an appointment. You’ll have an easier time avoiding the specific things you’re allergic to if you know what they are, and an allergy test can help you find out if pollen is really your biggest concern or if your allergies are more likely to be related to mold or dust. Different trees and plants bloom at different times, so a little knowledge can go a long way in avoiding allergens.
Refill any prescription medications that have been used up since last year. While you’re at it, ask what the best time is to start taking it. Antihistamines work best if you take them before you start having symptoms, so some health care providers recommend taking your medications about two weeks before your allergies tend to flare up. If you’re not sure what date that would be, take notes this year and put a reminder for next year on your calendar.
Do some spring cleaning
Dust is another common allergen, and dust can also contain pollen grains blown in from the outside or traced inside. Cleaning your home can help get rid of those allergens, whatever they may be. Wear a dust mask, such as an N95 or similar, if you have one, to avoid inhaling the dust you put on.
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Mold spores are another common allergen, and spring rains and damp weather can increase the amount of mold in your home, so keep a close eye out for moldy areas on walls that need to be cleaned or moldy items that are better off in the trash.
Also cHang the air filter on your oven or air conditioning system. (Much is recommended to be replaced every three months, but check the instructions for yours.) If you have an air purifier, check the filter too.
View our room-by-room tips on make your home allergy-proof this spring, which range from small items, like keeping your dog’s pollen-laden fur off your bed, to big things like considering whether it’s time to tear up your carpets and switch to hardwood floors.
View pollen counts
Pollen blows the most on dry land, windy days, but rain tends to wash it away temporarily. You can find a pollen count and even a poll forecast on most weather services; some even break the prediction types in the pollen of trees, grass and ragweed. (Ragweed is an autumn allergy.)
If the pollen count is high, you want to stay indoors with the windows closed. As nice as a fresh breeze can be, for your allergies it is better to just use an indoor fan or turn the air conditioning up a notch.