What You Need to Know This Allergy Season

Trees are budding, flowers are blooming, and grass is green and growing. Spring is in the air.

And so are all those pesky pollens that cause allergies and asthma to flare up.

Seasonal allergies — also called hay fever and allergic rhinitis — can make us miserable, triggering everything from itchy noses and skin to trouble breathing. As spring advances, you may notice sneezing, coughing, and asthma symptoms.

Pollen isn’t the only culprit. As the weather improves and we spend more time outdoors, you might be more likely to be exposed to air pollution. Even temperature changes can impact breathing issues, according to the American Lung Association.

But don’t shut the door on spring. Some tips to manage the season:

Know your enemy

In many areas of the United States, spring allergies begin in February, but you may notice sensitivities to specific growing seasons for your area. Generally speaking, tree pollination begins earliest, followed by grass pollination. One of the most common causes for allergies is ragweed, which typically blooms in the late summer and fall, especially on the East Coast and in the Midwest.

In tropical climates, grass pollinates throughout most of the year. If your area has experienced a mild winter, all bets are off: plants can pollinate early and make your past experiences with allergies dramatically different. A rainy spring can promote plant growth as well as mold, another prime allergy suspect. Take note of what seems to trigger your allergy symptoms, or consult with your healthcare provider about allergy testing to determine the source.

Watch both weather and air quality

Warm, windy day? Pollen counts are likely to skyrocket. A spring rain, on the other hand, can wash the pollen away, offering a welcome respite for allergy sufferers to get outdoors. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) recommends monitoring pollen and mold counts, as well as weather and air pollution reports on your favorite app or from a trusted news source.

Time of day matters, too. Pollen counts might be highest in the evening during spring and summer, while ragweed in the late summer and fall make morning particularly aggravating. If you have to be outdoors—mowing the lawn, for example—consider wearing an N95 mask to keep pollen and particles away from your airways.

Take a break indoors

Keep your windows at home and in the car closed during allergy season, especially if pollen counts are high. If you are an allergy or asthma sufferer, stay inside on very dry, windy days.

Pay attention to other sources of indoor air quality. Use high-efficiency filters on your heating and cooling systems, and follow regular maintenance schedules. Avoid mold problems by keeping the indoor air dry with a dehumidifier. Consider a portable HEPA filter for your bedroom.

Keep it clean

Take a shower, wash your hair, and change your clothes after you’ve been working or playing outdoors. You might be a morning shower person, but consider switching to an evening bath or shower during allergy season to ensure that you are sleeping in clean, pollen-free sheets.

Housekeeping is especially important for allergy sufferers. Vacuum (a sweeper with a high-efficiency particulate air filter is best) and wipe surfaces to rid the house of pollen that can blow in or get tracked in on clothes and shoes.

Seek relief

Check with your health care provider about your symptoms and what kind of treatment plan might be best for you, even if you’re just considering over-the-counter allergy relief.

According to the Mayo Clinic, several types of non-prescription medications can help ease allergy symptoms:

• Over-the-counter oral antihistamines such as Zyrtec Allergy, Allegra Allergy, or Claritin can help relieve sneezing, itching, a stuffy or runny nose, and watery eyes.
• Corticosteroid nasal sprays, such as Flonase Allergy Relief or Nasacort Allergy 24 Hour. Talk to your health care provider about long-term use of corticosteroid nasal sprays.
• Oral decongestants. Oral decongestants such as Sudafed can provide temporary relief from nasal stuffiness. Some allergy medications, including Zyrtec-D, Allegra-D and Claritin-D, combine an antihistamine with a decongestant. Talk to your health care provider about whether the use of a decongestant is good for treating your allergy symptoms.

Another good reminder from the American Lung Association: If you have asthma or COPD, always keep quick-relief medications with you. Stop activity and use your quick-relief medicine as soon as you begin to have symptoms.

And above all, don’t let spring allergy keep you from enjoying longer days and opportunities for fresh air and exercise. As the late comic Robin Williams once observed, “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’”