Are Spring Allergies Keeping You Indoors?

Do your spring allergies have you hiding indoors instead of enjoying your favorite outside activities? Have you tried working in your garden only to pay the price of sneezing and itching for the rest of the day? Spring allergies may have you dreading this time of year, but there are some things you can do about your allergies so that you can actually enjoy the time you spend outside.

How Can You Enjoy Spending Time Outside?

You shouldn’t have to stop doing what you love – tending to your garden or doing other outside activities – just because of the discomfort that allergies can cause. Here are some tips that can help:

• Try medication. Take an antihistamine about an hour and a half before you head outside. If over-the-counter antihistamines don’t seem to be helping, it may be time to speak with your doctor.
• Go outside at the right time. If you have an idea of what you are allergic to, check your city’s pollen count so that you can stay indoors when the levels of what you are allergic to are particularly high. Pollen counts are highest in the mornings until about noon, so you might want to put off your outdoor hobbies until later in the evening. Avoid going outside when it is windy. Pollen may be cleared from the air after a rainstorm, but brief thunderstorms can actually make pollen counts worse.
• Protect yourself. Wear gloves, long sleeves, and long pants to help protect yourself from pollen. A mask and safety glasses (or even sunglasses) can help if you have to mow the lawn but you’re allergic to grass. When you are done outside, remove your clothes immediately, and take a shower so that any clinging pollen doesn’t get into your bed.

You don’t have to give up on your outside activities – there are some things you can do to deal with your allergies so that you can enjoy your time outside!

If none of these tips seem to be helping, contact Lakeside Allergy ENT for allergy testing. The expert staff can determine what you are allergic to and then can develop a treatment plan specific to you. There are offices in Rockwall and Forney. Call (972) 771-5443 for a consultation today!