3 things to do right now before the pollen season begins in NC this spring
Pollen levels will continue to creep up in North Carolina as spring nears, but allergy sufferers may be able to reduce symptoms by preparing before they spike.
The Charlotte Observer asked Dr. Neeta Ogden, an allergist with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, for the best ways to reduce exposure to allergy triggers and prepare for allergy season.
Here’s what you need to know.
How to reduce your exposure to allergy triggers
To prepare for spring, Dr. Ogden recommended starting allergy medications about two weeks before the season begins, which is typically early to mid-March in North Carolina.
She also advised checking pollen counts regularly and working with a health care provider to make a treatment plan.
Common treatments include antihistamines, nasal steroid or antihistamine sprays, saline nasal rinses and allergy eye drops, Ogden said. People with allergic asthma may also need inhalers and should make sure their medications are up to date.
During allergy season, Ogden said it’s important to reduce pollen exposure by:
- Limiting time outdoors on high-pollen days,
- Showering before bed and
- Keeping windows closed at home or in the car.
“It’s a lot about reducing exposure and staying on top of your symptoms,” she said.
6 ways to limit allergy symptoms this spring
There are other steps you can take to reduce your exposure to things that trigger your allergy symptoms, according to Mayo Clinic.
- Start taking allergy medications before your symptoms appear.
- Stay inside on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after it rains, when pollen is cleared from the air.
- Shower after spending time outside to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
- Wear a pollen mask if you decide to do chores outside.
- Avoid outdoor activities in the early morning when pollen counts are highest.
- Close your doors and windows at night or when pollen counts are high.
Over-the-counter remedies for allergies
According to Mayo Clinic, many types of nonprescription medications can help ease allergy symptoms. They include:
- Oral antihistamines to relieve sneezing, itching, runny nose and watery eyes like Claritin, Alavert, Zyrtec Allergy and Allegra Allergy
- Decongestants to provide relief from nasal stuffiness like Sudafed and Afrinol
- Nasal spray to ease allergy symptoms
- Some OTC medications like Claritin-D and Allegra-D that combine an antihistamine with a decongestant
How to keep the air inside your house allergen-free
It’s impossible to eliminate all the allergens from the air in your home, Mayo Clinic says, but these methods can help reduce them:
- Use high-efficiency filters in your air conditioning unit and follow regular maintenance schedules.
- Keep indoor air dry with a dehumidifier.
- Use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your bedroom.
- Use a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA air filter.
Portions of this story were previously published in The Charlotte Observer.
