Spring allergies are on the way if they haven’t started yet. Tree pollen tends to start blowing in the wind early spring, followed by pollen from grasses a month or two later. If your eyes have not started itching yet, there are a few things you can do to prepare.
Contact your doctor
If you regularly visit an allergist – or if you did not do so, but what you intended – then book an appointment. You will more easily avoid the specific things you are allergic to if you know what they are, and an allergy test can help you determine if pollen is your main concern or if you are more prone to mold or dust. Different trees and plants bloom at different times, so a little knowledge can help a lot to avoid allergens.
Refill any prescription medicine that has been up since last year. Ask for the best time to take it while you are busy. Antihistamines work best if you take them before you start having symptoms, and some providers recommend that you take your medicine about two weeks before you develop allergies. If you are not sure what date it would be, take notes this year and put a reminder on your calendar for next year.
Clean up a little spring
Dust is another common allergen, and dust can also contain pollen grains that have been blown in or detected from the outside. If you clean your house, you can remove these allergens, no matter what. Wear a dust mask, such as an N95 or similar if you have one, to prevent you from inhaling any dust you kick up.
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Mold spores are another common allergen, and spring rains and humid weather can increase the amount of mold in your home, so watch out for the moldy spots on the walls that need to be cleaned, or moldy objects that are better attached to it.
Also chang the air filter on your oven or air conditioning system. (Many recommend changing every three months, but read the directions for yourself.) If you have an air purifier, check the filter as well.
Read our room-by-room tips allergy resistant your home this spring, ranging from small objects such as keeping the dog’s pollen – laden fur off your bed, to large ones such as considering whether it’s time to pull up your rugs and switch to hardwood floors.
View pollen counts
Pollen blows most dry, windy days, but rain tends to wash it away temporarily. You can find a pollen count and even a pollen forecast at most weather services; some even break the prediction species in tree, grass and ragweed pollen. (Ragweed is a fall allergy.)
If the number of pollen is high, you want to stay inside with the windows closed. As nice as a fresh breeze can be, it’s better for your allergies to just use an indoor fan or turn the air conditioning a notch.