By Adrienne West and Josh Weiner
The blooming of flowers and regrowth of trees means you’re about to be hit with pollen from all sides. Here’s what you need to know to prepare yourself.
While the shining sun feels great, that warmer weather brings an increase in allergens. NoVA is one of the most forested urban areas in the country. “It’s a very moldy region all year long, and the mold tends to increase in the warmer months of the year,” says Dr. Seth Craig, founder of the Allergy & Asthma Center of Fredericksburg and Fairfax.
Tree pollen counts begin to increase toward the end of February, peak around April and diminish in mid-May, according to Dr. Michael Kletz of Black & Kletz Allergy. Grass pollen will take over during the summer, while ragweed pollen will be most prevalent from the end of September through the first frost at the end of October. Utilize websites like pollen.com to keep an eye on the current allergy forecast in your area.
Take some simple precautions to ease symptoms: shut windows and sunroofs, keep filters and air conditioners in constant circulation, wear a mask when working outdoors or gardening and change clothes and shower more often. Kletz says residents should plan their daily schedules differently to stay clear of the full force of pollen. “If you’re going to do yardwork, or even run or jog, you want to avoid the early morning because that’s when the pollen count tends to be at its highest,” he says. “A good time to go is right after it rains for a full day. Usually the next day the pollen count is a little bit lower.”
If allergies do strike, reach for over-the-counter medications like Claritin or Allegra, or see a certified allergist. “There are many treatments they can give you,” says Craig. “There’s no reason to suffer.”
Here are some more tips for dealing with the sniffle season:
1. Take your allergy medication a couple weeks before symptoms occur. Once you’re inflamed, the medication’s effectiveness is reduced.
2. Natural supplements like nettles and quercetin can help alleviate allergy symptoms, as can homeopathic drops like Triple Allergy Defense.
3. Rinsing your nasal passages with a neti pot isn’t fun, but it’s effective in reducing the pollen you’ve breathed in.
4. Reducing stress can also reduce your number of allergic reactions, and of course, the old standby of regular exercise and a healthy diet can help your body amp up its immune system.
6. Clean your home thoroughly to get rid of allergens that come in with your clothing, shoes and pets.
