I love spring. Spring means I no longer have to wake up at 5 in the morning to shovel the driveway. It also means that I only need to throw on a light jacket when I step outside. A couple of things I don’t love about spring though are seasonal allergies.

Airborne pollen generated from trees, grasses, and weeds can easily be inhaled and enter our respiratory system. This will trigger an onslaught of sneezing and itchy, watery eyes. However, the good news is that there are several things you can do to mitigate spring allergy symptoms:

• Check the pollen report for the day. On days when the pollen count is high, try to stay indoors
• Take allergy medication. You can buy over-the-counter antihistamines such as claritin and reactine
• On high pollen days, take a shower to wash off any allergens
• Turn on your air conditioning
• If you have a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) air purifier, use it in your home to help get rid of any airborne allergens
• Use saline nasal rinses
• If you know you have bad allergies, starting your meds sooner prepares your body to fight the release of histamine

Getting ahead of spring allergies requires a mix of preventative strategies and medication. If over-the-top medication is not as effective for you, you can always see a pharmacist to discuss strategies to mitigate symptoms, including potential prescription medication options.

By Daria Horbal, BSc. Phm.