7 tips to battle Spring Allergies

Spring arrived last Sunday, March 20th!  One of the best things about living in New York is the change of seasons.  With spring comes baseball, improving weather, and the fun outdoor season.  It is also the time for spring cleaning and unfortunately the onset of the high tree-pollen allergy season.

Allergies, especially food, can be a serious issue.  Also, millions of dollars are lost from employees calling in sick because of allergies and allergic reactions.  The average worker with allergies misses about one hour per week over the course of a year.  That sick time is concentrated during the peak allergy periods.  If you have ever seen the dating movie “Hitch” starring Will Smith, you know what I mean.

Allergies never bothered me as a youth; however, as an adult, it hit hard when I was living and working in midtown Manhattan.  I remember going to NYU Langone to take an in-depth and expensive allergy test where they taped about 30 small nodes to my upper back, and I couldn’t take a shower for two days until my follow-up checkup.  It turned out that I had adult-onset allergies and was allergic to 28 of the 30 types tested. 

When my allergies hit, they hit hard and quick and I could barely breathe.  It felt like I was sick, sapped my energy, and overall, it was misery.  I knew I had to research this and make some drastic life changes.

It turns out that I had serious allergic reactions to fragrances among many other things.  I started to read ingredients in every bottle in my house and fragrance was in almost everything.  I realized some of the allergy problems I was bringing on myself.  

Years later, I have made the necessary changes, and my allergies though not fully eliminated, have subsided tremendously.  Here are my lucky seven tips to help ease your symptoms so you can better enjoy the spring season:

1. Be Selective When Outdoors: If outdoor exercise is your thing, remember that the pollen count is highest between 5a-10 am and on windy days.  If it just rained, you are in luck because the pollen count drops significantly on humid and rainy days.
2. Protect Yourself When Outside: Consider wearing large sunglasses to protect your eyes and a hat to keep pollen from sticking to your hair.  Avoid hair gels that pollen can stick to. 
3. Wash Up When You Return Home: Keeping pollen from following you inside your home can alleviate your allergy symptoms.  On high pollen days, consider showering at night and taking your clothes off before entering your bedroom so “Evil Uncle Pollen” isn’t tucked in with you every night.
4. Avoid Certain Flowers: Many of our favorite flowers contribute to allergy symptoms.  No matter their beauty, don’t bring these florals home!  Flowers such as asters, daisies, chrysanthemums, sunflowers, lilacs, and a baby’s breath are prone to triggering allergic reactions.  Instead, try to substitute them with orchids, iris, begonias, and periwinkles.
5. Try to Allergy-Proof Your Home: Try and keep home and car windows closed and avoid using electric fans which kick up and recirculates pollen into the air.  If possible, delegate cleaning, especially the carpet to non-allergic family members.  Examine ALL your cleaning products including dishwasher fluid, bathroom, floors, and showering products like shampoo and conditioner.  If possible, fragrance-free is the way to go!
6. Weekly Cleaning: Try and mop floors and clean carpets weekly, especially if there are pets at home.  Clean window blinds and shades where allergens stick.  Turn on an exhaust fan after cooking to reduce moisture.  Consider using disinfecting wipes on items like gym bags and purses that can bring allergens into the home.  As frequently as possible, wash your bedding as well as your pets and their bedding.
7. Consider Avoiding Sugar and Adjusting your Diet: Your daily diet can exacerbate your seasonal allergies.  Sugar disables the immunity system!  Certain foods and drinks such as peanuts, alcohol, processed foods, wheat, chocolate, and even your morning cup of coffee are known culprits that act as hay fever catalysts!

If these lucky seven tips fail, see an allergist.  There is no reason to feel like you are sick when you don’t have to.  Do you have any other tips to help with allergies?  If yes, email me at [email protected]