How to Achieve an Allergy Safe Spring

While the spring season brings with it beautiful flowers and warmer temperatures, you may need to brace for seasonal allergies. Your allergies shouldn’t keep you from being able to enjoy the spring. Here are a few tips you can use to have an allergy safe spring.

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*This is a guest post and all opinions are those of the author. This post may also contain affiliate and/or paid links. Rest assured that we only work with companies and individuals that we trust. While some of those companies and individuals may work in the medical field, this post is not intended to be a substitution for medical advice. Always speak to your doctor if you have concerns about your mental or physical health.

Watch the Weather for Windy Days

Pollen travels on the wind. Plants rely on the wind to scatter their seeds and pollinate them across the area. For those who suffer from allergies, that means windy days are going to be terrible.

You should start your day by checking the weather forecast. Most weather organizations will include some form of pollen report. This is useful information in determining just how badly your allergies may be affected on a normal, non-windy, day.

It’s windy days that you need to pay special attention to, however. Pollen without wind doesn’t travel far. It has less of a chance of sticking to your clothes, car, or entering your home as a result. Windy days give pollen the momentum it needs to stick to your car, clothes, and find ways within your home.

On those days, you should prepare appropriately in order to have an allergy safe spring. That might mean taking your allergy medication or carrying it with you. It might mean staying home completely. It may just mean that you need to wash your clothes or hair a few extra times.  By knowing when it’s going to be windy, you can take the necessary precautions.

Close Windows and Doors

While it may be tempting to keep your windows and doors open to allow warm temperatures into your home, this also invites pollen. You should keep the windows and doors of your home closed. This is the case whether it’s windy or not.

The same goes for your car when you’re traveling. It may feel nice to roll down the car window and feel the breeze in your hair. However, you’re also inviting pollen into your car. It can stick to your face and hair. You then bring it home with you.

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Avoid Using Fans

Electrical fans can circulate pollen. If your fan is designed to remove hot hair from the home and push it outside, then this is problematic as well. Even though it’s sucking the air out of the house, there’s still some blowback. It will pull pollen into the home, then circulate it through the air.

To enjoy an allergy safe spring, use your AC instead of a fan. However, your AC should also be equipped with a fresh filter. It doesn’t hurt to invest in a good filter either. This can keep pollen from passing through the filter and entering your home. The only air that should enter your home is clean, purified, air.

Wash Your Clothes and Yourself

Whether it’s a windy day or not, if there’s heavy pollen in the air, then you need to wash more frequently. Any time you come in from outside, you should immediately place your clothes inside of the washer and wash them. Try not to jostle your clothes too much when removing them. This can push the pollen from the fibers and wind up floating through your home.

Washing your clothes isn’t enough. You also need to jump in the shower to remove any pollen sticking in your hair or against your skin.

Visit Your Allergy Doctor

Visiting your allergy doctor in Hudson Valley is always vital to be prepared for allergy season. They can help you find the right allergy medication you need for the upcoming season. With the right medication in hand, you may find that you have nothing to fear from the spring season.

They can also offer other tips on how to safely deal with your allergies. In the event that you need to stay home, they may even be able to provide you with a doctor’s note for work.

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Clean the Home’s Interior

Spring cleaning can lead to an allergy safe spring! It’s just as important to clean the interior of your home as it is to clean your clothes. Pollen can enter your home through the door, ventilation system, and windows. Even if you wash the pollen from your body, it may still linger in your carpet and on other surfaces.

Cleaning your home with disinfectant can kill pollen and remove them. Sometimes it’s better to have someone else do the cleaning for you. Exposing yourself to pollen can cause a lot of problems. Relying on your partner, a friend, or even a cleaning crew can keep your home pollen-free without risking your own health and comfort.

Avoid Collecting Old Leaves and Branches

Spring is the time when most of the magic of gardening occurs. Seeds must be planted and yards must be cleared of old leaves and twigs. Unfortunately, old leaves and twigs may be harboring mold spores that can seriously impact your allergies. Even handling them with gloves and a mask may prove futile.

The best solution is to have someone else clear up the old leaves and branches in your yard. With those items removed, you won’t have lingering mold spores triggering your allergies or asthma.

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Avoid Fertilizers and Pesticides

Certain fertilizers and pesticides may also trigger your allergies. If you can, then you should always choose organic fertilizers and deterrents for pests. Mulching with your clipped grass can be a great way to stimulate plant growth and nourish the soil.  Certain plants, or even a fence, may keep pests from entering your garden. Avoiding chemical fertilizers and pesticides can reduce your allergies.

Install an Air Purifier

There are a ton of air purifiers on the market, but not all of them are that effective at removing pollen and other allergens from the air. You’ll want to look for an air purifier that has a high-quality HEPA filter. These filters trap small particles from passing through its membrane. Some even kill the particles on contact.

With an efficient air purifier in your home, allergens can be reduced. Some can even be attached to your AC to further purify the air coming into your home.


Author Bio

Dr. Ran Y. Rubinstein is the founder of the Hudson Valley Sinus Center. Dr. Rubinstein is one of the leading ENT and facial plastic surgeons in New York. Throughout his career as a facial surgeon and ENT sinus specialist, Dr. Rubinstein has performed thousands of ENT surgeries and has become an expert on diagnosing and treating nasal and sinus problems.

Allergy Fatigue: How to Stop Allergies from Draining Your Energy

Being a parent comes with countless responsibilities. Juggling everything from work to relationships while focusing on your family’s needs takes a lot of energy, and it can leave you feeling drained at the end of the day.  If you suffer from allergies, your symptoms might make finding the energy to complete everyday tasks even more challenging.  It’s called allergy fatigue, and you’re not alone. A lot of allergy sufferers experience low energy levels and “brain fog” when regularly exposed to allergens. 

Allergy fatigue is a very real problem. Other allergy symptoms like itchiness, congestion and breathing problems can make it impossible to get a good night’s rest, and the histamine your body produces when exposed to allergens can make you even more tired. 

If you’re sick of allergies making you tired, keep reading to learn how you can prevent allergy fatigue.

Allergy Fatigue: How to Stop Allergies from Draining Your Energy
*This is a guest post and all opinions are those of the author. This post may also contain affiliate and/or paid links. Rest assured that I only work with companies and individuals that I trust. While some of those companies and individuals may work in the medical field, this post is not intended to be a substitution for medical advice. Always speak to your doctor if you have concerns about your mental or physical health.
Allergy Fatigue: How to Stop Allergies from Draining Your Energy

How to Manage Allergy Fatigue 

Find the Source of Your Symptoms

The first step to preventing allergy fatigue is finding the source of your symptoms. That can be pretty hard when you have a million things making you tired every day, so it can help to pay close attention to your other allergy symptoms and what triggers them. To do this, try starting an allergy log. Simply jot down your symptoms and the things you are exposed to throughout the day, and look for links between the two. 

If you’re having trouble finding the source of your symptoms on your own, you can take an at-home allergy test to help you get to the bottom of it. Visiting an allergist who specializes in diagnosing and treating allergies is also a good option, especially if your allergies are severe. You might discover that you’re allergic to something you never even thought of. 

Limit Exposure to Allergens

Once you find out which allergens are causing your fatigue, the next step is to find ways to limit exposure. For outdoor allergens, like pollen and mold, you can track daily allergen levels and see when they’re at their highest. You can find this information online or on most weather apps. Try to limit your time outdoors as much as possible on high exposure days, and move family activities indoors whenever you can during allergy season. 

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Limiting your exposure to indoor allergens can be a little trickier, but it is possible to allergy-proof your home. For allergens like pet dander and dust mites, dusting furniture, vacuuming carpets and washing bedding regularly can all help keep allergen levels to a minimum. 

Consider Allergy Medication

Allergy medication can help relieve symptoms for both indoor and outdoor allergens, and there are plenty of affordable, over-the-counter options. However, you’ll want to make sure to choose one that doesn’t make you drowsy. Grab one that says non-drowsy on the label, or ask your doctor to help you find a medication that works best for you.


How to Improve Your Sleep

Trying to sleep with allergies can be a nightmare. Sneezing, coughing, itchiness and the general discomfort caused by allergies can prevent you from getting the quality sleep you need to feel energized during the day. Luckily, there are plenty of simple steps you can take to stop your symptoms from keeping you up at night. 

Elevate Your Head 

Propping your head up with an extra pillow or two can help relieve congestion and prevent mucus from building up in your sinuses while you sleep. This is also a good tip to pass on to your family during cold and flu season. 

Shower Before Bed

Hopping in the shower before bed can prevent allergens from hitching a ride in your hair or on your skin. Taking a shower or bath can also help you fall asleep and stay asleep by lowering your body temperature, and it’s a great way to unwind. 

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Use an Air Purifier

Air purifiers improve air quality by filtering out airborne allergens. Adding one to your bedroom can be a great way to improve your sleep and keep you from coughing and sneezing throughout the night.


Tips For Staying Alert 

As a busy parent, allergy fatigue probably isn’t the only thing making you feel drained. Plenty of other things can make you tired throughout the day, and it’s important to address them whenever you can. These quick tips can help to feel more energized as you tackle your day. 

Stay Hydrated 

Dehydration can make you feel tired and sluggish. To prevent this, try to drink at least 6-8 glasses of water throughout the day. Keeping a water bottle with you can help you remember. If water isn’t really your thing, try infusing it with herbs or fruit to add some natural sweetness. Staying hydrated will help you to feel energized, and it could even boost your mood! 

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Get Some Exercise

Whether you are stuck at a desk all day or spend the day bustling around the house, squeezing in a few minutes of exercise can help to boost your energy levels. It doesn’t have to be a lot. Going for a quick walk around the block or doing some stretches at your desk can release endorphins that boost your energy levels. 

Take Short Breaks 

Taking breaks throughout the day can increase focus and reduce fatigue. If you find yourself wearing down while grinding away at a task, take a few minutes to make yourself a cup of tea or listen to a relaxing podcast. A break also provides a good opportunity to check in with your body. If you’re feeling drained, try eating a healthy snack or taking a quick nap. Focusing on your family’s needs is important, but don’t forget that yours are important too!


Author bio

Michaela Wong is a content creator and graduate of San Diego State University. She writes in a variety of industries ranging from health and wellness to interior design.