Living With Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)

Spring is a lovely time of year, but not without problems for those with asthma or allergies. Although a spring breeze is refreshing and fragrant, it is likely filled with tree and grass pollen. Spring is also a time of unpredictable weather. Sunny days followed quickly by cold and rainy, or even snowy days can worsen respiratory problems - especially if you are caught outdoors and not dressed for the weather. So what can you do to prepare your asthma and allergies for this season of changes?

Seasonal Allergies

Spring allergies are typically caused by pollen from trees and grasses and by mold spores. Also known as hay fever, seasonal allergies can cause sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. If you have asthma, these allergy symptoms can also worsen your breathing problems.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce or prevent these symptoms.

If possible, keep windows and outside doors shut during pollen season – especially when pollen and mold counts are high. These counts are often reported on the TV news, in the newspaper, and on this website.

Click here for a link to today’s pollen count.

Consider pollen counts when planning outdoor activities. It may help to limit your outdoor activities during the times of highest pollen and mold counts. Pollen and mold counts can vary throughout the day.

Peak Times for Pollen Are:

• grass: afternoon and early evening
• mold: some molds peak during warm, dry, windy afternoons; other types are higher in the early morning hours when there has been more rain.

• If you are outdoors during high pollen counts, change your clothes and take a shower when you come indoors. Avoid changing clothes in your bedroom, and wash your hair in the shower if possible. Leave your outdoors clothes in the laundry room.
• Most allergists recommend that you start an antihistamine when the allergy season begins and continue taking it every day until allergy season is over. Routine use of antihistamines is more effective than sporadic use of antihistamines during peak allergy seasons.
• If you have asthma, take your routine asthma medicines every day. This can prevent a worsening of asthma caused by seasonal allergies.
• If you are taking allergy shots, check with your allergist, who may want to modify the frequency or strength of injections during allergy season.

Other Tips for Spring

• Avoid being out on cold or windy days. If you must be out, cover your mouth with a scarf or a cold weather/allergen mask. Dress in layers and carry rain gear.
• Delay spring cleaning until a warm, windless, sunny day when you can open doors and windows. It's best if non-allergic family members or others do the cleaning. Try to be out of the house during all cleaning, especially during carpet cleaning.
• When cleaning,use caution with household cleaning products. Make sure the area to be cleaned is well ventilated. Never mix cleansers such as bleach, disinfectants and deodorizers with ammonia products, either in the bucket or on the surface to be cleaned.
• Avoid being outside when fertilizers and pesticides are applied to the lawns, trees or shrubs in your neighborhood. If you garden, arrange for someone else to remove the leaves and branches that may have collected in your yard or hedges. This type of garbage usually has mold and other particles that can trigger your asthma.