May It Be The Worst Month For Allergies. Here’s How Allergists Suggest You Be Prepared
April showers bring May flowers, but according to the Allergy and Asthma Network, they also bring high pollen counts, making May the worst month for allergies in many parts of the US.
“Allergies to things found in the air like pollen can cause symptoms including sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, itchy nose and throat and red, watery eyes,” explained Dr. Stephanie Kayode, an allergist at Allergy Care London, explains the symptoms of hay fever or rhinitis. “These symptoms occur because pollen allergens cause swelling and inflammation in the nose, eyes and throat when inhaled.”
To find out how we can prepare and protect ourselves before the worst allergy month, I spoke to vegans about their expert tips on how to prevent allergies in our homes.
1. It’s time to clear the air
If yours air purifier it’s been sitting in the back of your closet collecting dust (yikes, another allergen), now is the perfect time to wipe it down and get it out.
“Indoor air purifiers, especially those with high efficiency air filters, are effective in removing pollen and air pollutants from the air we breathe in our homes, thus improving the symptoms of allergies,” said Kayode. Air purifiers with higher airflow rates tend to work better for this purpose because they filter more air.
HEPA filters are designed to capture airborne particles, such as pollen, dust, mold and even bacteria and other germs, as we found out when the CNET Labs team tested 12 air purifier models to find the best model for disease prevention.
Keeping air pollutants out of pollen can help reduce allergies, as Kayode explains, because these pollutants can damage our airways and even make pollen less allergenic. This means that the same or lower pollen levels can cause very strong allergic reactions.
“Using the right size filter for your area is important, and some people place them on the edge for the best results,” adds Meagan W. Shepherd, founder of Allergy Aesthetic and owner of Shepherd Allergy.
Placing an air purifier in a high-traffic area, such as a bedroom or living room, can be especially beneficial. However, you’ll want to make sure you replace your filters when needed, as dirty or clogged filters really can’t become sources of pollutants and allergens.
Now is the time to place an air purifier in a high-traffic area of your home.
2. Schedule an HVAC tune-up
HEPA filters are not only recommended for air purifiers. Yours HVAC systems should use them, too, and should be changed every three months or as needed. You can check your manufacturer’s instructions for this information.
“Make sure you plan to organize before the start of spring, and clear debris from the outdoor area,” Shepherd said. “Make sure the condensate drain lines [which remove excess moisture] they are not closed.”
If necessary, set the indoor humidity to 40%-50%. You can also do this if you have a humidifier.
3. Check the pollen forecast
You can save pollen forecast track with apps including Allergy Plus, My Pollen Forecast and Zyrtec AllergyCast. Kayode recommends doing this and limiting outdoor activities when the pollen count is high. This usually happens in the summer and early morning, when the warm air makes the pollen rise.
On cool, rainy days, the pollen count is usually lower because the rain washes the pollen into the air.
What the IQAir pollen forecast looks like for Los Angeles.
4. Keep the outside from coming in
While it’s impossible to avoid pollen entirely, there are some steps you can take to reduce your indoor exposure. Elsewhere, Malusi advises to keep the windows and doors closed. If you’re tracking the pollen forecast, make sure you do so on high pollen days.
“Change clothes after entering the house, and keep your hair tied or wear a hat when you’re outside,” Shepherd said. Kayode adds that you can also wear sunglasses to reduce exposure to pollen in your eyes.
If you hang laundry outside to dry, you should shake it before bringing it inside.
Depending on how bad your allergies are, you may even want to arrange for someone else to mow or pick your lawn a robotic lawnmower to avoid pollen exposure.
Even when you get into your car, you can take safety precautions. “If you get into a hot car, turn on the recirculation system with AC to re-use the cabin air without drawing more pollen into the car,” said Shepherd. You can also keep your car windows closed to block pollen, Kayode adds.
5. Be careful after a thunderstorm
Although rain washes pollen into the air, particularly strong thunderstorms combined with high temperatures can have unwanted effects, making hay fever worse.
“Thunderstorms can stir up pollen from the ground and cause an explosion of pollen particles in the air, which are very sensitive,” explained Kayode. “On hot days, pollen accumulates and is released into the air during storms, increasing the risk of severe hay fever and asthma symptoms.”
Keep your windows and doors closed on high pollen days and during thunderstorms.
6. Stock your medicine cabinet
If you experience allergy symptoms or want to prevent them, you can use a saline nasal rinse to clear inhaled pollen from your nasal passages. My doctor recommended that I use Arm and Hammer Simply Saline Nasal Care Daily Mist for this reason.
If that’s not enough and your symptoms are interfering with your daily life, Kayode advises you to see your doctor to discuss starting allergy medications, such as antihistamine tablets and steroid nasal sprays. Your doctor may suggest taking a daytime antihistamine on an ongoing basis, especially on days with high pollen counts.
An important point
While you may not be able to completely avoid pollen, there are steps you can take to reduce your exposure and minimize allergies when inside your home. Using a HEPA filter in both the air purifier and the HVAC system can help — just be sure to change the filter and perform timely maintenance.
If nothing helps and your allergies are affecting (and ruining) your life, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your doctor.
