7 Surprising Ways to Combat Seasonal Allergies

Learn to reduce allergy symptoms such as a scratchy throat, runny nose and tearing eyes by adjusting the environment around you which may harbor these triggers. 

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), the main sources of indoor allergens are, 

• Pets
• Wall-to-wall carpet
• Soft furniture
• Stuffed toys
• Bedding
• Damp areas
• Indoor plants
• Mattresses that aren’t in allergy covers
• Pillows and bedding you can’t wash in hot water

This spring and summer try some of these 7 surprising ways to combat seasonal allergies with these main sources and others that may come to mind. 

Shake, Rinse & Wipe Off

During the blossoms of spring and summer, allergens stick to everybody like glue. That means, if you are allergic to pollen or other triggers such as grass or tree mold, you need to protect yourself from this sticky stuff. This means shaking off, rinsing off and wiping off items and bodies (children and animals count) that harbor allergens. 

Shake It – Shake off your clothing that you may not wash right away such as a jacket, scarf, hat, or hoodie. By vigorously shaking these items you whisk away clinging pollen, mold, and other potential allergens. Note: Shake items outside or in a designated area like a backyard, mud room, terrace or hallway so as not to contaminate inside areas.

Rinse It – Showering before bed is essential as this avoids sleeping in a nest of allergens embedded in your skin and hair. Dr. Neeta Ogden, an allergy specialist and spokesperson for the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, told CBS News, “If you put your head on your pillow and sleep all night [without washing away allergens beforehand], that’s what’s going to trigger a reaction,”

Wipe It – Wiping off allergens from contaminated items, animals or even little humans could help too. Gentle wet wipes do the trick on bags, backpacks, shoes, fur and skin. Sop up as many stuck on pollen intruders and discard before they come in contact with couches, chairs, pillows and more. 

Fan It Away

In these allergen strewn months it may be best to keep your windows and doors closed. Even the most tightly woven screens cannot keep out the microscopic allergen onslaught. Depending where you live, on high pollen days you may notice your windows as well as cars and other outdoor things covered in a fine greenish dust. This is pollen dust, which is kryptonite to any sensitive system, even if you don’t have allergies this stuff can wreak havoc on sinuses. 

Instead of letting this toxic powder into your home, create your own home improvement project and install ceiling fans. Ceiling fans rotating the indoor air can keep allergens at bay. It will dissipate any pollens, molds and the like out of high traffic areas, minimizing accumulation. Note: Check for dust accumulation on fan blades before running to minimize dust mite allergens. 

Clean A/C Filters

If you must use air conditioning, the filters on these devices can be hidden culprits of allergens causing you to breathe in all that makes you sick without even knowing it. Make sure you clean or replace your A/C filters so only cold, sanitized air circulates throughout your home. While you are at it, if you have in-home air filters make sure these are also changed on a regular basis.

Purify Your Indoor Air

A sure winner for keeping your indoor air allergy-free is by investing in an indoor air purifier. Look for High Efficiency Gas Absorption (HEGA) filtration capability which is able to remove contaminants out of the air before they get a chance to irritate and trigger your asthma or allergies. The best air filters contain medical grade HEPA filters and can eliminate dander, airborne chemicals and even odors. 

You will immediately see a difference when running an air filter before you come home. The air in any room with the filter will feel significantly cleaner as some report that it is as if you are breathing on the top of a mountain. 

Lint Roller

Who would think that such a simple tool as a sticky lint roller would be beneficial in reducing allergens. Keep one in your car, bag, office and/or home to be able to fight allergens at any turn. They are great after visiting someone whose home is loaded with pet dander and shed fur. Getting these and other allergens off your items when on-the-go is paramount to keeping your car and/or home from becoming compromised. 

These 7 surprising ways to combat seasonal allergies are excellent practices to put into your anti-allergy regiment. There’s no need to suffer when preventative and protective measures like these are taken into account. Add in naturopathic remedies such as acupuncture, natural herbal antihistamines, vitamin and mineral supplements as well as specific foods for an effective defense system against all kinds of allergens.