Spring is officially here. For you, that means longer days, warmer temperatures, and for many unlucky individuals, the return of seasonal allergies. The green grass and blooming flowers make for a beautiful site, but they bring uncomfortable allergy symptoms along with them. The best treatment of seasonal allergies is prevention of the symptoms altogether, and we’re here to help you do that!

Avoiding Allergens

One way to successfully prevent an allergy is by avoiding your allergens. A few tips to avoiding those allergens include:

Staying inside – if you know it’s mainly dry or windy outdoors, stay inside. Check the pollen count and avoid outdoor activities on days with a higher pollen rating.

Avoid outdoor activities – certain outdoor activities stir up allergens quickly. Mowing the lawn and weeding your garden are some of the worst culprits. Instead of taking the risk of irritating your allergies, have another family member or friend perform the task for you.

Keep the household clean – if you’ve been outside for an extended period, remove your clothes once you return indoors. Pollen and other allergens can stay on clothing for long periods and create an irritating environment within your home. You can keep your home clean by regularly changing air filters and keeping windows and doors shut as well. The goal is to keep allergens out and clean air inside your house. Of course, indoor allergens can pose a threat as well, but managing those allergens is much simpler.

Managing Symptoms

Sometimes even the best prevention can’t completely keep allergies at bay. When seasonal allergies hit, managing the symptoms is the key to avoiding a miserable spring. Some of the best methods for managing symptoms include:

• Nasal spray – either saline or medicated nasal spray can be used to help lubricate your sinuses and relieve congestion.
• Allergy medication – allergy medication is available for purchase at most pharmacies. These medications work to help your body fight off symptoms before they occur. Tip: if you know you’ll be outside in an irritating environment, take allergy medication before symptoms begin.
• Decongestants – if the other methods we mentioned aren’t enough to relieve your symptoms, try a decongestant. Decongestants work by opening your sinuses and relieve pressure and congestion that causes you discomfort.
• Allergy shots – if you’re interested in a long-term solution to your allergies, contact an allergist about receiving allergy shots. They will perform a test to determine what your allergies are to and then begin a treatment regimen designed to build up your tolerance over time gradually.