Spring is typically associated with all kinds of positive things: renewed and vibrant plant growth, colorful new blooms, animals emerging from hibernation, and pleasant warm weather.
However, what people do not look forward to during the start of this season are the itchy eyes, runny noses, and constant sneezing that signal the beginning of allergy season.
While allergy season in places like the Arabic region doesn’t coincide with spring in Western countries, most of its characteristics (i.e., high pollen count) remain the same, with the addition of sandstorms to make matters worse.
Fortunately, there are effective seasonal allergy treatments you can consider, regardless of the time of year or wherever you may be in the world. Here are 13 tips that can help you get through allergy season in the workplace, at home, and outdoors:
At Work
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Several hotspots in the office may aggravate allergic rhinitis for people with this condition. Dust mites, mold spores, and pollen are invisible to the naked eye. This is nothing surprising in the workplace since there are plenty of areas where these allergens may get trapped in, like on cluttered desks and carpeted floors.
To make sure your allergies don’t interfere with your performance at work, here are some ways to reduce the allergen count in the office:
1. Keep it Clean and Clutter-free
Removing all unnecessary items from your desk is an important part of keeping your workspace clean. A cluttered space has plenty of nooks and crannies where dust can accumulate, especially if you tend to regularly wipe down only the parts of the desk that you actually touch.
2. Check the Ventilation
Another way to ensure that your allergies don’t get the best of you at work is to make sure
there is proper ventilation in your immediate work space. The simplest way to achieve this is to open up the windows to allow air to circulate. Clean air is vital when it comes to managing allergies, especially for those who are allergic to dust mites and mold spores.
However, it is worth noting that the windows should be kept closed at certain periods in the day for people with pollen allergies (more on that later).
3. Allergy-proof Your Office Plants
Plants bring a sense of calm and peace in the workplace, but not for allergy sufferers if these are not cleared of potential allergens.
To make sure the plants in your work area don’t trigger your allergies, keep them watered
regularly. Removing the topsoil periodically is also an excellent way of getting rid of molds.
4. Hang Coats Away from Your Workspace
Jackets and coats tend to harbor pet hair and dust. To avoid getting an allergic reaction from these triggers, there should be a separate closet for these items. Placing a hanging rack away from the main workspace is also a good idea.
At Home
Cleaning the house regularly is a good way to keep allergens at bay, but only if done properly. If you’re allergic, you should make sure that you keep yourself safe while cleaning up to prevent your symptoms from getting worse.
Of course, cleaning isn’t the only thing you can do to stay sneeze-free, especially during allergy season. Here are some tips and tricks you should try to keep your house allergen-free:
5. Clean Using a Vacuum with a HEPA Filter
When vacuuming to get rid of allergens, make sure you use a machine with a HEPA filter. This prevents even the smallest particles from passing through the filter and shooting right up in the air when you vacuum.
6. Reduce Clutter
Clutter anywhere – be it in your workplace or your home – can aggravate the allergy season situation. Get rid of clothing or piles of boxes that may trap dust and other allergens.
7. Get Rid of Molds
Molds that grow in high-moisture areas like the kitchen and bathroom can also trigger your
allergies. Make sure you stay sneeze-free by scrubbing the tiles and washing the shower
curtain regularly.
8. Wear a Mask While Cleaning
It is imperative that you wear a mask when cleaning, whether you have allergies or not. This will prevent dust and other foreign particles that may irritate your nose and throat from entering your airways.
Also, you should get out of the house once the cleaning is done. This will allow time for the particles in the air to settle, which can prevent them from triggering your allergies.
9. Remove Your Shoes and Clothes as soon as You Get Home
Changing out of your outside clothes and footwear the moment you arrive home is also a great way to keep the place allergen-free. Leave your shoes outside and put your clothes in the hamper to make sure you don’t track allergens all over your home. Showering every evening is also a good way to get rid of lingering particles on your hair and body.
10. Manage Your Windows Well
As mentioned earlier, people who are allergic to dust and dust mites may need to air out the room to stay sneeze-free. However, those who have pollen allergies may need to keep the windows closed in the early morning and late in the afternoon to keep these allergens out. This is because these are the periods when the pollen count is usually at its peak.
Outside
While staying indoors is the ideal solution to protect yourself from allergens when the pollen count spikes, it is inevitable that you would have to head out for errands, commitments and other activities. During these times, keep the following tips in mind so you can beat your allergies:
11. Wear a Mask
Wearing a mask when spending time outside is ideal for people with pollen allergies. Surgical masks marked N95 or those that have HEPA filters are the best options.
12. Time Your Walk Wisely
Everybody needs exercise, but walking outside may not be the best idea for people with pollen allergies. If you cannot forgo this activity, you should make sure to schedule your walk during the evening since it is the time of day when the pollen count is lowest. Wearing a mask, sunglasses, and a hat would also help protect you from allergens.
13. Keep a Nasal Spray and OTC Allergy Medication in Your Purse
Nasal sprays containing saline rinse can help keep your allergies under control when you are outside. These provide immediate relief from allergic rhinitis by getting rid of allergens that may have been stuck in your nasal cavity. Also, make sure you have some over-the-counter or prescribed non-drowsy allergy medicine ready in case your allergies are triggered.
Manage Your Allergies Anytime, Anywhere
Keeping allergies in check is not as difficult as you might think. With enough knowledge and proper guidance from a licensed medical practitioner, you should be able to work and live your life with little to no hassles caused by the condition.
