As the days warm up, you are more likely to want to spend your time in the outdoors. Spring brings colorful flowers, sun shining days, and unfortunately, pollen and similar irritants. If you are an older adult with a chronic ailment, you are more susceptible to allergies in the spring. Fortunately, Mac’s LTC has some tips for allergy season to help you prepare.
Take Allergy Meds
There are multiple precautions you can take in preventing the onset of springtime allergy symptoms. The best step to being prepared is to have your medications prepared for any symptoms. However, you need to be extremely cautious of purchasing over-the-counter medications. Always consult with your doctor or pharmaceutical provider before purchasing any medications. If you are a senior preparing for allergy season, chances are you are currently taking other medications and mixing multiple supplements can have adverse side effects. If you have allergy medications leftover from last year, at the very least be sure to check the expiration dates before consumption. Mac’s LTC is willing to help with any medicinal questions or needs.
Make Healthy Diet Choices
Another one of the best tips for allergy season is to make healthy diet choices. Consider adding more antioxidants and anti-inflammatory foods to your meals. You can find natural health aids in fruits such as strawberries, oranges, cherries, and blueberries. Other foods that can impede inflammation are leafy green vegetables, nuts, tomatoes, and fatty fishes like tuna. Green tea is also a healthy addition to your diet for combating allergy symptoms. Some brands of green tea have antioxidants and contain natural antihistamines. Hot drinks are also great for soothing throats and loosening congestion. Increasing your vitamin C intake is also beneficial in fighting allergy symptoms.
Reduce Allergy Triggers
After your diet has been modified to better combat allergy attacks, you can adjust your home by preventing hidden allergy triggers. There is a significant health reason for the expression “spring cleaning.” Often during the cold winter months, the air becomes more still, allowing for a quicker generation of dust and dust mites. This increase of dust and dust mites can cause allergies with several symptoms. It is important to dust off all surfaces of your home, wash all fabrics, and vacuum any carpeting areas. It is also essential to clean your air conditioning units and change air filters to minimize irritants intake. Also, be mindful of removing any mold inside and outside of your living area. An extra preventative step would be to install an air purifier inside high traffic areas of the home.
Don’t Open Doors and Windows
With the weather warming up, many are tempted to open windows and let the fresh breeze blow. Without an air purifier or the proper screening, this can increase the amount of pollen and similar irritants in the home. One of our best tips for allergy season is to keep doors and windows closed during high pollen culmination times. To know when these peaks occur, consciously track pollen levels through the local news or a mobile app on your cell phone.
Limit Outdoor Time
When pollen levels are high, and you have chosen to go outside, follow these tips to prepare for allergy season this spring. Limit your time outdoors when the pollen counts peak. If you cannot limit your time spent outdoors, then be sure to wear a mask to reduce allergen inhalation. When you are traveling, try and wear your glasses or sunglasses to prevent eye irritants which trigger allergy symptoms. Also, be sure to wash your hands when coming in from outside and if possible, shower and wash your clothes to disperse any trapped pollen and irritants.
More Tips for Allergy Season
Try and be proactive before allergies start this spring with these helpful tips. If you suspect you are experiencing allergy-like symptoms, then be sure to consult with your doctor or local pharmacy. Be mindful of medication intake, especially over-the-counter antihistamines, and verify with your pharmacist that the combination intake is safe. You can contact us for even more tips for allergy season.
