How to Prepare for the Spring Allergy Season

I know what you may be thinking: February seems a little bit early to prepare for the spring allergy season. Well, it isn’t.

The term spring allergies is a little misleading –even though spring doesn’t kick off until March 20th, the allergy season can start rolling as early as February. So it isn’t too early for you to start preparing for the allergy season –it’s actually the perfect time.

If you wait until allergy season hits, pollen will be everywhere, symptoms will hit and when you try to schedule an appointment at the doctor’s office it’s likely they’ll be booked. If you deal with spring allergy symptoms then you should get ahead of the curve by preparing for the season now.

Start Allergy Season Treatment Early

The first thing you want to do is ensure that you have all of your medications. If any have expired, toss them out and refill the prescription. Take your medication two weeks prior to when you usually start to feel the symptoms. This will help with easing the allergy symptoms when they come.

If you don’t have a management plan for spring allergies, see an allergist. An allergist can help you identify what exactly you’re allergic to and assist you with creating a plan of action to defend yourself.

Keep track of pollen levels

The big bad villains of the spring allergy season is tree pollen and grass pollen –trees, grass and weeds release tiny grains into the air wreak havoc on the body’s immune system for anyone who is allergic to it.

Tracking pollen levels and the days they are worse can help you plan around it or for it. There are several mobile apps that will alert you when pollen levels are high in your area.

Late-Winter Cleaning

Your home can be a safe haven or it can be a danger zone –it all depends on how well you clean it. Instead of waiting for a spring cleaning, get working on a late winter cleaning. This needs to be a deep cleaning, so make sure you dust every nook and cranny. Vacuum the carpets and the furniture. Wash things, that you don’t wash regularly like curtains, comforters, and throw pillow covering.

Mold can also be a trigger for spring allergies so while you’re cleaning, do an inspection of your home. Mold likes to pop damp areas like basements, bathrooms and kitchens. When you find the molds, clean or remove them. Make sure to continuously monitor humidity levels so the molds don’t return.

Change your Air Filter

It suggested that you change your air filter every 3 months. To take an extra step of prevention, consider investing in HEPA filters.

Remember that preparation is the key to keeping your allergy symptoms under control. If you need assistance in managing your spring allergies, contact our office to schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified allergists.