Many of us are ecstatic with the arrival of Spring. The cool weather subsided and colorful blooms are springing everywhere. Unfortunately, springtime is also known for bringing ocular allergies to millions of people with over-active immune systems. As plants start to bloom and there is an increase of pollen in the air, your eyes activate their defense mechanism—which means a runny nose and watery eyes all season long. If you are suffering from Spring allergies, these tips will help you avoid allergens and keep symptoms under control.
How To Avoid Spring Allergy Triggers
While dealing with ocular allergies is not ideal, staying inside the house from April through November is not an option.
Tracking pollen count – A great way to being able to enjoy the outdoors is to track the pollen count in the air. You can do this through websites such as Pollen.com, which provide current allergy reports and which are the top allergens in the air.
Plan ahead to avoid top allergens – In Arizona, people tend to be mostly affected by allergens from trees such as Ash, Mulberry, Poplar, Olive, Alligator Juniper, Oneseed Juniper, and Palo Verde. The best tactic to avoid these top allergens, is to plan ahead. If you need medicine to control your symptoms, you should start taking small doses slightly before the season begins. Doing so you can prevent the inflammatory response from allergens rather than getting the inflammation under control. In addition, avoid peak allergy days—hot, dry, and windy days. The best time to be outdoors if you suffer from allergies is on cool, less windy days and after it has rained.
Stay clean – Take a shower and wash your clothes after you have been outdoors—especially if you were somewhere near trees and grass—to rinse away any pollen and dust that you may be carrying.
Pets – If you have pets, keep them as clean and groomed as possible to avoid pet dander and prevent them from bringing dust and other allergens inside your house.
Clean your home – Vacuum and clean surfaces constantly to minimize the amount of dust mites and other allergens inside your house.
For more information about ocular allergies or to schedule an eye exam, visit our website.
