- Keep track of the pollen count. Log on to www.aaaai.org (the website of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology) to get reliable information about the latest pollen numbers in your area. The higher the count, the more likely your allergies will be triggered, so you can plan your outdoor activities accordingly.
- Have your heating ducts cleaned. Indoor allergens can be stirred up and pushed through your home when you start up your furnace on the first cool day. So before you turn on the heat, have the system cleaned out.
- Use over-the-counter antihistamines when symptoms flare up — they relieve sneezing, a runny nose, watery eyes, and an itchy nose or throat.
- After the heating system is clean, install a fresh high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to help screen out indoor allergens and prevent them from permeating your home.
- A pile of damp leaves can harbor mold, so it’s best to wear a mask that screens out pollen and other allergens (they’re available at most drugstores) when raking and doing yard work.
- Keep your windows closed on days when the pollen count is high — especially if it’s also windy. You don’t want to invite allergens into your home!
- Pollen counts normally peak between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so if the pollen count is high, plan your outdoor activity for earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon in order to limit your exposure.
- If you have pets that live inside but also spend time outdoors, wipe them down with a damp cloth to remove any pollen lurking in their fur before they come back into the house.
- Clean out your sinuses daily with a saline rinse. It can help flush away allergens that might be lodged in your nasal passages.