There’s no time Memorial Waterfront Park is more beautiful than springtime, when the flowers are blooming and the grass shines bright green. But if you have allergies, it may be difficult to enjoy the beauty around you during these months. In order to enjoy all the sights and smells of spring without the symptoms, we recommend you start preparing now.
Know Your Triggers
Everyone’s bodies are different, and each body reacts to various substances in a variety of ways. Even if you have springtime allergies, your body may react to something in the air that someone else who also has spring allergies doesn’t experience a response to. This is why it’s important to get an allergy test: It will tell you what substances you should avoid in order to prevent a reaction.
Start Medication Early
Allergy medications like antihistamines and nasal sprays don’t just help ease your allergy symptoms, they also help prevent them. Because if this, they will be most effective if you begin taking them early, ideally two weeks before you usually start experiencing seasonal allergy symptoms.
Monitor Pollen Counts
There are plenty of online resources that allow you to track pollen counts in your area. When you know the days and times when pollen counts are high, you can plan to stay indoors and keep your windows shut. You should also keep an eye on the weather, as dry, windy days tend to mean higher pollen counts, while rain helps clear pollen from the air.
Do Your Spring Cleaning
If you’re keeping yourself safely indoors while pollen counts are high, it’s important that your house remains an allergy-free zone. We recommend thoroughly dusting and vacuuming your house. Don’t forget to wash curtains and blinds, vacuum furniture and mind those easily-forgotten corners where allergens may have accumulated. Installing a HEPA filter can also keep the air in your house allergen-free.
Eat Healthy
Fruits and vegetables are important sources of antioxidants and other natural chemicals that help your body fight inflammation associated with allergic reactions. Eating these types of foods around allergy season may help you experience milder symptoms. For more information or to schedule an appointment for an allergy test with an expert, call Charleston ENT & Allergy today.