Quick Tips to Help You Survive Allergy Season

The seasons never seem to be able to make up their mind here in East Tennessee. Warmer weather in the middle of winter has left many of us in a tail spin, and for most that spin involves the early arrival of seasonal allergies. Many are looking for relief this time of the year and want to keep their suffering to a minimum as we transition into later winter and early spring. Here are some tips to help you survive common seasonal allergies and some information to help you better prepare for the upcoming allergy season.

Numerous experts assure us that there are several steps that you can take in your daily life to cut your allergy woes to a minimum. It is suggested that you limit the time spent outside on extremely dry or windy days. If at all possible, schedule an outing after a good rain, when all of the pollen has been washed away.

It might be a pain, but delegate those seasonal chores in rotation with your family or roommates. If you are not being exposed to the outdoors and the pollen constantly, then you can seriously reduce your seasonal allergy risk. Experts also suggest taking a shower after you come in for the day. This rinses the pollen from your skin and hair and will help ensure you don’t track it into your home.

Do not hang your laundry out to dry on days with high pollen count. In addition, close the windows and doors of your home when you know that the pollen count is going to be especially high. This information can easily be attained from your local weather stations on a daily basis. Avoid outdoor activities in the early morning when the pollen count is the highest. Lastly, experts suggest using the air conditioner in your car or house instead of rolling down the windows.

Experts of course suggest coming into your local doctor’s office for a check up to see if you are at risk for seasonal allergies. It is also suggested that if your allergies worsen or are severe or life threatening, to contact emergency personnel or your personal physician as soon as possible.

You are not alone in your allergy suffering. The south east is notoriously known as one of the worst places in the United States for allergy sufferers. East Tennessee is full of high concentrations of trees, grass, flowers, and weeds of great variety. This contributes to the high pollen count that we experience nearly three fourths of the year. Local environmental factors such as light wind, high humidity, and warmer temperatures also play a huge role in the pollen and allergies that we see. Also, wind tends to stick around in the valley and stir up the pollen in the air.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the pollen or the allergies are going away anytime soon. Experts warn that, with the early arrival of warm temperatures, allergy sufferers are in this for the long haul and then some. Use these quick tips to make your allergy season a little more comfortable.

Source: Elizabeth Lane, Jefferson County Post Staff Writer