Discovery Health :: Tips for Keeping Pollen Exposure to a Minimum

Pollen Allergies

Tips for Keeping Pollen Exposure to a Minimum

The most common seasonal allergy symptom is a fairly constant runny nose, or what's called allergic rhinitis. Another name is hay fever. Many people are often able to identify what sets them off (for example, Aunt Martha's new perfume, "Ragweed"). Here are some ways you can avoid common allergens.

Try to stay indoors between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. when pollen reaches its airborne peak.
Shower and wash your hair every night to remove pollen.
Don't dry your clothes outside.
Stay inside if possible on humid and windy days when pollen is at its peak.
Use air conditioning and change filters frequently.
Keep windows up while driving in your car. Use the air conditioner to recirculate the air.
Since vacuuming can contribute to the amount of dust in your house, use a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
If you have pets that spend a lot of time outdoors, bathe them often.
Keep home windows closed.
When gardening or mowing the lawn, try to wear some type of particle mask (you may look like the "lone gardener," but it will decrease your sneezing).
Check out your local pollen counts and stay indoors if possible on high-count days.

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