Between the itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, and congestion, allergies can be very frustrating. When the spring season starts, and pollen and other allergens are in the air, your seasonal allergy symptoms may kick into overdrive. Luckily, there are steps you can take to enjoy the spring season without the symptoms. When allergies start to rear their ugly heads, try these tips to help alleviate your symptoms:
1-Min Tip: Close the windows. It might be beautiful outside, but if the pollen count is high, keep your windows and doors closed as a quick way to keep allergens out of your house.
5-Min Tip: Keep decongestants and antihistamines on hand. Both of these over-the-counter medications can help relieve some or all of the symptoms of allergies. Decongestants can help relieve symptoms, like a stuffed nose, but they’re not a long-term solution. Antihistamines like Zyrtec and Claritin can help relieve allergy symptoms like itchy eyes, sneezing, and runny nose.
15-Min Tip: Make an appointment with an allergist. Not everyone will find relief with conventional measures, and an allergist can help determine exactly what it is that’s triggering the allergies so appropriate measures and treatment can be given.
30-Min Tip: Conduct a thorough spring cleaning. Dust, mold, and other microscopic things that can accumulate on surfaces and in air vents in the home can become a real problem. Take some time each season to thoroughly clean everything to combat the buildup of common allergens. This can be a big undertaking — so put aside 30 minutes a day to tackle an area.
This article first appeared in the April 2018 edition of the HealthPerks newsletter.
