Ah, spring. The birds are chirping. The sun stays out longer, and the weather is finally getting nice. But you know what spring also means? It's allergy season. Pollen is the biggest culprit during this time, and people with sensitive eyes, ears and throats may find it difficult to be outside. Although there is no allergy cure, there are plenty tips that can make this period a lot more manageable. Here are some of them:
Stick to glasses
Grass, trees, flowers and weeds can really affect your eyesight. If you wear contacts, the pollen in the air can get caught inside, making it hard to see. If you can, opt for glasses during the spring. The pollen and debris in the air can get into your contact lenses and irritate them throughout the day. An eye without a contact lens is actually much more adaptable and tolerant of pollen and other particles. Plus, glasses work as a shield, so it's a win-win.
Plan accordingly
There is no way you can completely avoid the outdoors during spring (and why would you want to?). However, planning around the times of day when pollen is the worst can lessen your allergy symptoms. For example, it's especially bad in the morning, anywhere from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. If you can, do your best to avoid spending a large amount of time outside in the mornings. If you're an early jogger, you may want to switch your runs to the nighttime to make it easier on your sinuses.
Consider moving your workout indoors for the spring. Your exercises will be a lot easier when the wind isn't blowing pollen right into your face.
Get clean
If you were out and about all day, odds are a large amount of pollen has gotten stuck to your clothing and body throughout that time. Whenever you get home, be sure to hop in the shower to rinse off all the particles. Hint: Scrub your hair diligently because the pollen can get caught in there. Be sure to also change out of the getup you wore that day and put those clothes in the laundry.
Be sure to shower to get all of the pollen off your body.
Taking steps like these will greatly decrease how much pollen you bring into your home.
Find the right decongestant for you
Sometimes the precautions we take just aren't enough. That's where pharmaceuticals pick up the slack. Keep in mind that drugs are not a "one size fits all." Finding the right allergy medication for your body might take time. Here are some of the most common ones that can make your symptoms less severe:
- Cetirizine.
- Desloratadine.
- Diphenhydramine.
- Fexofenadine.
- Loratadine.
Most of these can be picked up at your local drug store with a name brand you recognize. Be sure to check with your doctor before integrating any over-the-counter allergy medication into your daily routine.
Be proactive
Lots of people wait until they're feeling miserable and groggy before they pop an allergy pill, but it isn't a quick fix. In fact, you should be taking the medicine before allergy season even begins. That way, you can stop the symptoms before they become unbearable. The more you wait, the worse your allergies will get.
It's common to write off symptoms as "just allergies." But you only have one body, so it's vital to take care of it. Don't overdo it. Pushing yourself will just make the symptoms worse and the recovery process longer. Don't trivialize your itchy eyes or runny nose. The better you treat your body, the more equipped you will be for next spring's allergy season. Bring it on.