Aaachoo! Whether you suffer from sneezing, itchy eyes or a runny nose, pollen allergies can make your days and nights a tissue-loaded misery. Histamines are the most common cause of allergies, and reducing this histamine level is needed in order to minimize these symptoms. There are several types of airborne pollen - tree, grass, flower - and you may be allergic to one or more of these. Add to this that different plants pollinate throughout the year, and your chances of sniffing and sneezing for every season but winter are dramatically increased. Here are six ways you can reduce your risk of exposure to pollen.
Instructions
Protect Yourself From Pollen Allergies
1. Evaluate your yard. Trees, grasses, flowers and plants each have a different pollen production pattern. Some emit very little. Others, such as Bermuda Grass or Fruitless Mulberry, emit a lot. Ask your local nursery about which plants in your garden may be a problem for you, and consider replacing them. At the very least, stay away from these plants during pollination, and keep your windows closed.
2. Reduce exposure to pollen. Many regional weather stations and newspapers provide a daily pollen count report to help allergy sufferers. If the report calls for high levels of whatever your allergic to, stay indoors as much as possible. Avoid outdoor activities. If you must be outside, consider wearing a dust or surgical mask.
3. Clean yourself off. All that pollen gets on your hair and clothes (think pollen-covered car windshields). Change you clothes when you get home and take a shower.
4. Use indoor air filters. When choosing an air filter, make sure it is capable of filtering out pollen and that it is powerful enough for that room's size. Too small an air filter won't do the job. Likewise, change your furnace and air conditioning filters regularly so that they are performing optimally.
5. Get your air ducts cleaned. Air ducts trap dust, mold and pollen - the worst recipe for allergy sufferers. Get your air ducts professionally cleaned at least once a year.
6. Use local bee pollen and honey. Because they're made from local plants and flowers, you can use bee pollen and honey to gradually develop a resistance to your regional pollens. Farm stands and farmers markets are a great place to find these items - and ask to make sure it's really local.
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