Even if you have never experienced an allergic reaction before, there is no way to ensure that you will not in the future. If you have had allergy symptoms in the past, you may think that moving to another part of the county that has different plants will help. However, doctors don’t usually recommend this for two reasons. First, many pollens (especially grasses) and molds are common to most areas of the United States, meaning a move will not help you escape them. Also, if you have allergies and move to another part of the country with different outdoor allergens, you may acquire allergies to the new allergens in their area within one to two years.
So if you have allergies, the best thing to do is to determine what allergens you are most sensitive to and take measures to avoid them. If you are allergic to spring pollen, you can minimize your exposure by keeping the windows in your home closed in the springtime. You can also consider using an air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to help keep outdoor allergens outside of your home. Wash clothes frequently during your sensitive season because clothes you have worn outside can accumulate pollen and mold spores. Here are some other tips to help you deal with outdoor allergies from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology:
- Do not hang laundry outside to dry.
- Keep windows closed at night and your car windows closed while traveling to prevent pollens or molds from drifting in. Use air conditioning instead, if needed.
- Minimize your activity between 5 and 10 a.m. when pollen activity is usually highest.
- Stay indoors when the pollen count or humidity is reported to be high, and on windy days when dust and pollen can be blown around.
- Don’t mow the lawn or rake leaves as both of these tend to stir up pollens and molds.
- If you have to work outside or you otherwise anticipate encountering allergens, wear a filter mask to block pollen and mold from entering your nose or mouth.
- Limit the amount of indoor plants in your home and be careful not to overwater them.
In addition to limiting your exposure to known allergens, you can help lessen your outdoor allergy symptoms by avoiding other substances that tend to exacerbate allergic reactions. Try to avoid exposure to the following as much as possible:
- tobacco smoke
- air pollution
- cold temperatures
- high humidity
- irritating fumes
- wood smoke
- aerosol sprays