Spring allergies are on the way, if they haven’t already started. Pollen from trees tends to start blowing in the wind in early spring, followed by grass pollen a month or two later. If your eyes haven’t started eating yet, there are a few things you can do to prepare.
Check with your doctor
If you see an allergist on a regular basis – or if you haven’t, but you intend to – consider booking 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 figure out if pollen is really your main concern or if your allergies are more likely to be related to mold or dust. Different trees and plants bloom at different times, so little knowledge can help avoid allergens.
Refill any prescription drugs that ran out of last year. While you’re at it, ask about the best time to start taking them. Antihistamines work best if you take them before you start to have symptoms, so some providers recommend that you take your medication about two weeks before allergies tend to flare up. If you’re not sure what the date is, take notes this year and set a reminder in your calendar for next year.
Do a spring cleaning
Dust is another common allergen, and dust can also harbor pollen grains that have been blown or tracked from the outside. Cleaning your home can help you get rid of those allergens, whatever they may be. Wear a dust mask, such as an N95 or similar, if you have one, so as not to breathe any of the dust you give.
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Mold spores are another common allergen, and spring rains and wet weather can increase the amount of mold in your home, so watch out for any mold stains on the walls that need to be cleaned or moldy objects that are better in the trash. .
Also, cchange the air filter in the oven or air conditioning system. (Many are recommended to be changed every three months, but check your instructions.) If you have an air purifier, check its filter as well.
Check out our room-by-room tips antiallergic for your home this spring, which range from small items, such as keeping your dog’s pollen-laden fur on the bed, to large ones, such as considering whether it’s time to break your carpets and move to hardwood floors. .
Track the pollen number
Pollen blows mostly on land, windy days, but the rain tends to wash it away temporarily. You can find a pollen number and even a pollen forecast for most weather services; some even break down the forecast types in tree pollen, grass and ragweed. (Ragweed is an allergy to fall.)
When the number of pollen is high, you will have to stay indoors with the windows closed. No matter how pleasant a fresh breeze is, it’s best to use only an indoor fan or turn the air conditioner on with a notch.