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Spring has arrived, which means allergy season has begun. According to the Allergy and Asthma Network, May is The worst month for allergy sufferers In most areas of the United States due to high pollen counts.
“Allergies to airborne allergens such as pollen can cause symptoms including sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy nose and throat, and red eyes,” explains Dr Stephanie Kayode, an allergist at the hospital. Allergy care londondescribes the signs of hay fever or allergic rhinitis. “These symptoms occur because pollen allergens trigger inflammation and swelling inside the nose, eyes, and throat when inhaled.”
When pollen enters our homes, it can cause… Allergy symptoms Even when you’re indoors and away from plants that release pollen, such as trees and grasses. I reached out to allergists to find out how we can protect our homes from allergies and ward off allergies before pollen levels reach their peak.
1. Take out your air purifier
If you have Air purifier It’s been sitting in the back of your closet collecting dust (another allergen), and now is the perfect time to wipe it down and take it out.
“Indoor air purifiers, especially those with high-efficiency particulate air filters, are effective in removing pollen and air pollutants from the air we breathe in our homes, thus improving allergy symptoms,” says Kayode. Air purifiers with higher air flow rates tend to be more effective for this purpose because they filter more air.
HEPA filters are designed to capture airborne particles, such as pollen, dust, mold, and even bacteria and some viruses, as we discovered when the CNET Labs team tested 12 air purifier models to find The best model for disease prevention.
Capturing non-pollen air pollutants can help reduce allergies, Kayode explains, because these pollutants can damage our airways and even alter the pollen to make it more allergic. This means that similar or lower pollen levels can cause more severe allergic reactions.
“Using a filter that is the right size for your space is important, and some people place it near doorways for maximum effectiveness,” adds Megan W. Shepherd, founder of Aesthetic sensitivity And what’s wrong with you? Shepherd’s sensitivity.
Placing the air purifier in a high-traffic area, such as a bedroom or living room, can be especially beneficial. However, you will need to make sure to replace the filters when needed, as in reality this may be caused by dirty or clogged filters. They become sources of pollutants and allergens.
Now is a good time to place your air purifier in a high-traffic area of your home.
2. Schedule HVAC adjustments.
It is not recommended to only use HEPA filters for air purifiers. for you Heating, ventilation and air conditioning Systems must also be used and changed every three months or as needed. You can check the manufacturer’s instructions for this information.
“Be sure to schedule a tune-up before spring, and remove debris from around the outdoor unit,” Shepherd says. “Make sure the condensate drain lines (which remove excess moisture) are not clogged.”
If possible, set the indoor humidity to 40%-50%. You can also do this if you have it Moisturizer.
3. Monitor pollen forecast
You can keep it Track pollen forecasts With applications including Allergy plus, My pollen forecast and Zyrtec Allergy Cast. Kayode recommends doing this and limiting outdoor activities when pollen counts are high. This usually happens in the summer and early morning, when warm air causes pollen to rise.
On cold, rainy days, pollen counts are usually lower because rain washes pollen from the air.
What the IQAir pollen forecast looks like for Los Angeles.
4. Preventing outsiders from entering
Although it’s impossible to completely avoid pollen, there are some steps you can take to reduce indoor pollen exposure. First, Shepherd advises keeping windows and doors closed. If you follow the pollen forecast, be sure to do so on days when pollen is high.
“Change your clothes after you’re indoors, and keep your hair tied back or wear a hat when you’re outside,” Shepherd says. Kayode adds that you can also wear sunglasses to reduce your eyes’ exposure to pollen.
If you hang your laundry outside to dry, you should shake it out before bringing it inside.
Depending on how bad your allergies are, you may also want to arrange for someone else to mow your lawn or choose someone else. Robotic lawn mower To avoid exposure to pollen.
Even when you get into your car, you can take precautions. “When riding in a hot car, turn on the recirculation system with the air conditioner so cabin air is reused without drawing more pollen into the car,” Shepherd says. Kayode adds that you can also keep your car windows closed to ward off pollen.
5. Be very careful after thunderstorms
While rain washes pollen from the air, a particularly strong thunderstorm accompanied by high temperature can have unwanted aftereffects, worsening hay fever.
“Thunderstorms can stir up pollen from the ground and cause pollen fragments to spread into the air, causing severe allergies,” explains Kayode. “During hot days, pollen accumulates and is released into the air during storms, increasing the risk of severe hay fever and asthma symptoms.”
Keep windows and doors closed on days when pollen is high and during thunderstorms.
6. Keep your medicine cabinet stocked
If you notice allergy symptoms or want to prevent them, you can use a saline nasal rinse to remove inhaled pollen from your nasal passages. My doctor recommended using Arm and Hammer Simply Saline Nasal Care Daily Spray That’s why.
If that’s not enough and your symptoms are interfering with your daily life, Kayode advises you to see your doctor to discuss starting allergy medications, such as antihistamine tablets and steroid nasal sprays. Your doctor may suggest taking antihistamines during the day proactively, especially on days when pollen counts are expected to be high.
Bottom line
Although you can’t avoid pollen completely, there are steps you can take to limit your exposure and reduce allergies while inside your home. Using a HEPA filter can help you in both your air purifier and HVAC system – just be sure to change the filter and perform maintenance in a timely manner.
If nothing helps and your allergies are running rampant (and ruining) your life, it’s time to make an appointment with your doctor.