With a bit of planning, effort and common sense, you may be able to limit your suffering from seasonal allergies.  Most seasonal allergies are caused by airborne pollens-very fine powders released by trees; grasses and weeds which pollinate and fertilize other plants of the same kind.  Molds in outdoor air can also contribute to seasonal allergies.  Allergy season generally begins in late winter or early spring when trees pollinate.  Then grasses pollinate in late spring and early summer.  Weeds can trigger pollen throughout the growing season.  The most notorious is ragweed in the late summer and early fall.  Outdoor molds generally reach their highest levels in late summer or fall though some regions in the south such as Florida can have significant outdoor mold counts throughout the year.

Try these 5 tips to prevent or relieve symptoms during allergy season:

1.  Use over-the-counter antihistamines for relief.

2.  You can’t completely seal off your home from the outside, but keeping doors and windows closed and running your air conditioner can help prevent outdoor molds from entering.

3.  Limit outdoor activities, particularly in the morning.

4.  When traveling by car, keep the windows up.

5.  Take a shower when coming indoors and change clothes.

When is it time to see a doctor for allergies?  When you’ve followed these 5 steps and you’re still suffering.

 God Bless,

Vicki Pooley RN BS