It’s the perfect time of year to head outdoors. The weather is hot, the sun is shining, and everything is in full bloom. For most people, these are ideal conditions for a day in the garden or a bike ride on the trails. But for seasonal allergy sufferers, this can be a season to dread, often having to choose to stay indoors rather than risk flaring up their allergy symptoms.
If you’re like a lot of seasonal allergy sufferers, you might be wondering what you can do to stop your allergy symptoms. Maybe, you’ve tried some medications designed to help alleviate symptoms, but they can come with some unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness and dehydration. You might have even tried ignoring them but, at the worst of times, allergy symptoms can become pretty unbearable. All that may leave you looking for alternatives. The good news is there are some more natural steps you can take to help prevent them from flaring up in the first place.
6 Things You Can Do To Stop Allergy Symptoms Before They Start
Monitor Pollen Reports
The first line of defense against your allergy symptoms is to know when they’re going to strike. Get in the habit of checking your local weather reports, specifically monitoring for triggers, such as dust, pollen, and overall air quality. Staying ahead allows you to prepare and take the necessary steps, like wearing a mask outdoors, spending less time outdoors, and showering when you get home.
Shower Up
Showering, either when you return home or before bed, may help wash away any dust or allergens from your skin and hair. As a result, you may be less congested in the morning when you wake up. If you normally shower in the mornings, try switching it up and see if it helps alleviate your allergy symptoms.
Close Your Windows
It’s always nice to have your windows open with such good weather. But on days when the pollen reports are high, it might be a good idea to keep the windows closed and turn on the air conditioning. If that’s not an option, you may want to spend some time in a public place with air conditioning, such as a library.
Take Your Exercising Indoors
Who doesn’t love to get outdoors for some physical activity? Whether you’re into soccer, baseball, or just going for a run, the nice weather makes it hard to resist. However, if you’re an allergy sufferer, you may want to take the exercise indoors on days when the air quality might not be in your favor. Try hitting the gym if you want some social interaction or possibly invest in some home equipment, like a treadmill, if that’ll work.
Start Rinsing Your Sinuses
Everyday, you’re breathing in dust, pollen, and other triggers that can cause your allergy symptoms to flare up. To help wash away these unwanted instigators, you may want to implement a daily nasal rinse into your personal hygiene routine. Additionally, a good nasal rinse may help clear up your congestion and moisturize for relief from a dry and itchy nose.
Wear A Mask
It might not be the most comfortable solution, but it may be the best solution for anyone who must go outdoors when conditions aren’t great. There are different masks for different occasions so it’s important to make sure you get one that works for seasonal allergies. The added benefit is that masks are recommended to help prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses such as COVID-19.
As any seasonal allergy sufferer can tell you, allergy symptoms can be pretty unbearable at the worst of times. The constant battles with the sneezing, headaches, runny noses, and congestion can wear you down and leave you struggling. Certain medications may help, but there are also possible side effects that can hold you back from being productive, such as drowsiness and fatigue. However, with just a few simple adjustments, you can take over your allergy symptoms in a more natural way and get back to being yourself again.
