Itchy eyes, scratchy throat, over-rubbed eyes, runny nose, you're exhausted, and you feel absolutely miserable. It must be allergy season. For many people, coping with allergy season means suffering from those symptoms day after day. But does it always have to be that way?
When it comes to managing your allergies, there are a few things you can do. Here are three items to add to your to-do list this allergy season, and three things you should definitely avoid.
1. Do: Keep your windows closed.
When the warm air rolls in, it's tempting to open the windows, but as the breeze blows through your home, so does the pollen. Keeping your windows closed will keep most of the pollen out of your house and away from you while you relax and sleep.
2. Do: Focus on Spring cleaning.
Despite all your efforts, allergens will make their way into your home - blowing in through the front door with you and hitchhiking on your clothes and shoes. Regular vacuuming will help remove dust and pet hair that has settled to the floor, which can trigger allergy symptom for some people.
3. Do: Clean the air in your home.
When you're spring cleaning, you scrub the floors and the stove, but do you clean the air in your home? An air purifier is your best defense against airborne particles, ridding the air in your home of dust, pollen and odours, and leaving you with the cleanest air. And the best part? It does the cleaning for you.
1. Don't: Let your allergies take over your life.
Allergy symptoms shouldn't hold you back from living life to the fullest. Use the "Do" list above to keep your home a comfortable place to breathe, so you can feel your best and go about your day.
2. Don't: Be tempted by cold remedies to alleviate allergy symptoms.
Although allergy symptoms can feel similar to those of a cold (stuffed up, runny nose, congestion, fatigue, etc.), they should be treated uniquely. For example, when you have a cold, the hot stream from the shower may help. But when you're stuffed up from allergies it may not help at all.
Steam from showers, soup or hot drinks "may not go well with allergically inflamed nasal tissues or sinus tissues [because] allergies are based upon histamine, not a viral infection. Imagine having hives and then taking a hot shower--it would only make matters worse" - Everyday Health.
3. Don't: Leave your clothes outside to dry.
Hanging your clothes to dry in the sun may be an energy efficient way to dry your laundry, but it has its consequences during allergy season. As your clothes lay in the warm sun, pollen and other allergens can land on your favourite outfit and get folded into your closet.
Allergy medications may be a solution to help you cope with allergy symptoms outdoors, but your home should be a comfortable place where you can relax, be yourself and breathe. For more information on improving indoor air quality, take a look at our solutions for allergies, asthma, dust and odours.