Use these 6 tips to stay ahead of allergy season symptoms and protect your family this Spring

We’ve waited for the cold to leave and now that it’s gone are we really out of the woods? While winter may have left, there’s no bigger welcome than the allergy season symptoms that spring brings. In addition to flower buds and blooming trees, springtime brings sneezing, congestion, runny noses, and other bothersome symptoms to the millions of people who suffer from allergy season symptoms. Allergic rhinitis and hay fever - also known as seasonal allergies - can make you miserable. But before it gets you down, let us help!

An uncomfortable side effect of a long, hot summer approaching is that these irritants remain suspended in the air for longer. This means that the irritants or particles enter the mouth or nose where they settle on the delicate mucosa of the upper airways. By the time these particles land on the membranes that line the airways, the allergen has diffused into them, triggering an allergic reaction. Not good at all! Dry conditions could lead to an extended pollen season, which could worsen symptoms. Hay fever season starts when trees pollinate in August and lasts until October. In the meantime, grass pollen takes over, peaking between November and March. Don’t let seasonal allergies get you down, try out these tips for a more comfortable spring.

6 tips to help you prevent and manage allergy season symptoms:

1. Avoid allergy triggers

Reduce exposure to things that trigger your allergy symptoms (allergens):

• When the weather is dry and windy, stay indoors. Getting outside is best after a good rain, as it helps clear the air of pollen.
• Don't mow the lawn, pull weeds and perform other gardening chores that might stir up allergies.
• Take a shower after your clothes have been worn outside to rid yourself of pollen.
• You shouldn't line-dry laundry outside as pollen can stick to sheets and towels.
• Use a pollen mask for outdoor chores.

2. Pollen counts are high at this time of year, so extra precautions should be taken

Allergy season symptoms are aggravated when there is a lot of pollen in the air:

• Look out for pollen count forecasts for regular updates to keep track of the risk of pollen in your area.
• Prevent allergy symptoms by starting to take allergy medications as soon as pollen counts are forecast to rise.
• Whenever pollen counts are high, close doors and windows at night.
• Try to restrict outdoor activity in the early morning when pollen counts are high. 

3. Common over-the-counter remedies

Allergy symptoms can be relieved with several non-prescription medications:

• Oral antihistamines:Antihistamines can help relieve sneezing, itching, a runny nose and watery eyes. These include loratadine (Claritin, Alavert), cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy) and fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy).
• Decongestants:Oral decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Afrinol, others) can provide temporary relief from nasal stuffiness. As an alternative to decongestants, nasal sprays are available, these contain oxymetazoline (Afrin) and phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine).
• Nasal spray:It eases allergy symptoms and doesn't cause serious side effects, though its effectiveness depends on how early you use it.
• Combination medications:Some allergy medications combine an antihistamine with a decongestant. Rinse your sinuses

4. Saline wash

Using a saline solution to rinse your nasal passages is a quick, affordable and effective way to relieve nasal congestion. Using a nasal rinse directly flushes mucus and allergens away.

You can find a neti-pot or squeeze bottle at a health food store or pharmacy. You should use distilled, sterile, boiled, cooled, or filtered water for your saline wash solution. Make sure to rinse the irrigation device after every use. 

5. Maintain a clean indoor environment

• Make use of your house and car's air conditioning.
• Make sure you use high-efficiency filters and keep your air conditioning and heating systems regularly maintained if you have forced-air heating.
• Maintain a low humidity level with dehumidifiers.
• Consider using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your bedroom.
• Regularly vacuum your floors with a HEPA filtered vacuum cleaner.
• Use a good detergent and disinfectant to keep the indoor air clean.

6. See a doctor if your symptoms worsen

If you’re looking to travel and want to enjoy an allergy-free or peaceful trip, use these tips to stay ahead of these allergy season symptoms.

Stay ahead of allergy season symptoms for the rest of the year and keep your home and space clean and fresh with Zoflora. If you’re longing to be outdoors to smell the blooms and freshness of spring and summer but can’t manage, Zoflora can give you all of this without the irritants. While you may not be able to control much of your symptoms or the air, you can control and maintain the clean air in your home. Keep your home and space clean, germ-free, and still have a taste of spring with all of Zoflora’s beautiful scents. Get yours today!