Although various substances, such as ragweed, cause problems in the fall, pollen in the spring and summer seems to be one of the biggest culprits for seasonal allergies. Here are some things you can try for seasonal allergy relief.
1. Take Combination Medications
Certain seasonal allergy symptoms, such as headache and stuffy nose, can be treated with decongestants. Other symptoms, like itchy and watery eyes, may respond to an antihistamine. If you suffer from a variety of symptoms, you may need to take a combination medication, which contains both an antihistamine and a decongestant. Be sure to read warning labels, since some allergy medications can cause drowsiness. When taking particular allergy medications, certain activities, like driving, should be avoided.
2. Wear A Pollen Mask When Doing Yard Work
If you plan on doing any work outdoors, consider wearing a pollen or allergy mask. The mask can help decrease the amount of pollen you breathe in and can help reduce symptoms. There are different types of pollen masks, including disposable and reusable ones. Check the micron size of the mask, which will indicate whether it filters out pollen.
3. Keep Grass Short
Although mowing the grass may be the last thing you want to do, keeping the grass short can really help with seasonal allergy relief. It can help reduce the amount of pollen in the air and is especially helpful if you’re allergic to grass pollen. If possible, have someone else mow the grass or wear an allergy mask when you do yard work.
4. Shower After Spending Time Outside
Pollen can get on your skin and in your hair when you spend time outside. Even once you go indoors, the pollen can still bother you for the remainder of the day. If you are unable to take a shower, change clothes to reduce continued exposure to the allergen.
5. Consider Allergy Shots
Allergy medication containing an antihistamine or decongestant can have side effects such as sleepiness, dry mouth or increased heart rate. There is also the chance that allergy medication may not reduce all allergy symptoms. If you are using allergy medication daily, you may benefit from an allergy shot. Once an allergist determines which substance is causing your seasonal allergies, tiny amounts of extract can be injected into your skin. Over time, the shots can help your immune system become desensitized to the allergen, which will reduce symptoms. (For more information on allergy shots, read Do Allergy Shots Work? A Guide To Immunotherapy.)