Tips to Decrease Pollen Exposure
Allergic responses to grasses and weeds can trigger asthma symptoms. People with a genetic predisposition to develop allergies often become grass and weed allergic, experiencing increased nasal, eye, skin and chest symptoms during the pollen season. While taking an anti-histamine is one way to relieve symptoms, reducing exposure to pollen allergens can prevent allergy symptoms from worsening.
Steps to Decrease Exposure to Pollen Allergens
- Keep the windows and outside doors closed as much as possible during the pollen season. If the family has central air conditioning, encourage its use to keep pollens outside. If you can't air condition the entire house, air-condition the allergic person's bedroom with a window unit, keeping the windows and doors to that room closed.
- Use of swamp coolers is discouraged because of the increased potential for dust mite and mold growth, which both thrive in humidity. · Keep car windows shut and use the air conditioner on recirculate during pollen season.
- Avoid outdoor activities when pollen counts peak during midday and afternoon hours.
- Outdoor activities may be better tolerated after a gentle, sustained rain. · Encourage hand washing after outdoor play to avoid transferring pollen from the hands to the eyes and nose.
- Shower, wash hair and change clothing before bed if having allergy symptoms, especially after working or playing outdoors in areas with pollinating grasses, trees or weeds.
- Dry laundry in a dryer only; avoid hanging clothes outside to dry.
- Keep pets that spend time outdoors out of the bedroom. In addition to animal dander allergens, they may carry and deposit pollen stuck to their fur.
