8 Tips To Protect Your Family From Spring Allergies
Rising pollen counts can mean misery for so many people. Here are a few tips to help protect you and your family from outdoor allergens.
1. Stay inside - We’ll offer the most obvious tip first. If the pollen is outside, then staying inside will reduce your exposure and therefore your allergic reaction. Of course, staying inside isn’t always practical, or very much fun. Many people are outdoors for work or when the weather is nice.
2. Try to block the pollen - If you need or want to spend time outside, it is possible to intercept pollen by wearing a filtration mask and protective eye wear and clothing.
3. Change clothes after coming inside - After coming indoors, remove your pollen-covered clothing and shower as soon as possible to limit exposure and prevent the spread of allergens around your home.
4. Keep pollen out of your bedroom - You spend more time in your bedroom than any other room in your home. Breathing clean air while you sleep can give your immune system an opportunity to recover from daytime exposures. This means keeping dirty clothes, which could be covered with pollen from outside, off your bed. Pets can carry pollen on their fur from outside as well. You should keep pets off your bed to avoid allergens.
5. Use an air purifier in your home - A central purification system able to cleanse all of the air circulating in a house is ideal. A more affordable solution is to use room-sized HEPA air filters in the bedroom and other rooms that you are in most often. Be certain that the filter is large enough to process the air in the room where it is located.
6. Use a vacuum that has a HEPA filter - This can be helpful in removing allergens from carpets and floors and preventing particles from becoming airborne. Vacuums without a HEPA filter can actually blow pollen and allergens into the air and cause more allergy symptoms.
7. Engage in physical activity - Moderate physical activity for 20-30 minutes a day, four or more days a week, will increase your overall wellness. Exercise is also effective in reducing stress levels and contributes to more restful sleep.
8. Get more rest - Fatigue weakens the body’s defense against allergies and other illnesses. Proper rest gives your immune system a boost and the support it needs to protect your body.
1. Stay inside - We’ll offer the most obvious tip first. If the pollen is outside, then staying inside will reduce your exposure and therefore your allergic reaction. Of course, staying inside isn’t always practical, or very much fun. Many people are outdoors for work or when the weather is nice.
2. Try to block the pollen - If you need or want to spend time outside, it is possible to intercept pollen by wearing a filtration mask and protective eye wear and clothing.
3. Change clothes after coming inside - After coming indoors, remove your pollen-covered clothing and shower as soon as possible to limit exposure and prevent the spread of allergens around your home.
4. Keep pollen out of your bedroom - You spend more time in your bedroom than any other room in your home. Breathing clean air while you sleep can give your immune system an opportunity to recover from daytime exposures. This means keeping dirty clothes, which could be covered with pollen from outside, off your bed. Pets can carry pollen on their fur from outside as well. You should keep pets off your bed to avoid allergens.
5. Use an air purifier in your home - A central purification system able to cleanse all of the air circulating in a house is ideal. A more affordable solution is to use room-sized HEPA air filters in the bedroom and other rooms that you are in most often. Be certain that the filter is large enough to process the air in the room where it is located.
6. Use a vacuum that has a HEPA filter - This can be helpful in removing allergens from carpets and floors and preventing particles from becoming airborne. Vacuums without a HEPA filter can actually blow pollen and allergens into the air and cause more allergy symptoms.
7. Engage in physical activity - Moderate physical activity for 20-30 minutes a day, four or more days a week, will increase your overall wellness. Exercise is also effective in reducing stress levels and contributes to more restful sleep.
8. Get more rest - Fatigue weakens the body’s defense against allergies and other illnesses. Proper rest gives your immune system a boost and the support it needs to protect your body.
These tips can help limit your exposure to pollen but can't eliminate allergies completely. Trying to avoid allergens might not be effective or practical. That’s when you should consider allergy testing. Through accurate allergy testing, it is possible to identify and classify the specific allergens that are causing problems. This allows for more effective strategies and aggressive treatments that provide relief.
The pollens tested and treated at CornerStone Ear, Nose & Throat include local seasonal respiratory allergens as well as year-round allergens, including dust, mold, and animal dander. This makes it possible to create a finely tuned treatment plan. We also offer both immunotherapy (allergy shots) and sublingual immunotherapy (allergy drops). Allergy drops are an alternative to traditional allergy shots and are taken at home daily. Unlike with shots, weekly visits to the doctor’s office are not needed. To learn more, click here or call 704.752.7575.
The pollens tested and treated at CornerStone Ear, Nose & Throat include local seasonal respiratory allergens as well as year-round allergens, including dust, mold, and animal dander. This makes it possible to create a finely tuned treatment plan. We also offer both immunotherapy (allergy shots) and sublingual immunotherapy (allergy drops). Allergy drops are an alternative to traditional allergy shots and are taken at home daily. Unlike with shots, weekly visits to the doctor’s office are not needed. To learn more, click here or call 704.752.7575.
