Tricks for Beating Spring Allergies

Use an air conditioner instead of a window or attic fan to cool your house.

Avoid humidifiers and swamp coolers, because they can add molds into your home.

When you come in from outside, remove clothing and wash or shower to remove pollen from your skin and hair. Also wash your pets after they’ve been outside to reduce pollen they bring in to the home.

Using a saline nasal wash can improve breathing by rinsing pollen, dust and other debris out of your nose and loosening thick mucus.

Use a scarf or mask over your mouth and nose to prevent breathing in pollen and dust on windy days.

Spring pollen allergies are from trees and grasses; weeds bring summer allergies. Molds can be a problem during mid-summer in warmer states and year-round in southern and western states.

Avoid breathing in fertilizer and pesticide chemicals. Keep away from piles of moldy leaves and branches. Have someone else mow the lawn. Wear an allergy mask outdoors to reduce exposure to allergens.

Watch local pollen counts. Stay inside during afternoons and evenings when pollen counts are highest.

Keep home and car windows closed when pollen counts are high and during sleep.

Consistently take doctor-recommended medicines and treatments.