Pollen Allergy
Avoidance Tips

Avoiding pollen allergy is not easy. Complete avoidance is impossible. On the other hand, by adapting some strategies below, you can reduce your exposure to pollen and consequently reduce the severity of your symptoms.

One of the most important steps you can take in the fight against pollen allergy is to have yourself tested. Because there are so many different kinds of pollen, it is important to know which kind is giving you difficulty. Different kinds of pollen have different seasons and knowing what kind is giving you trouble will allow you to hone in on the type, the season, and the strategies to adapt.

Being tested and knowing exactly what type of pollen allergy that you have will give you reassurance that you are paying attention to the right pollen count forecast. This is important because the pollen count outdoors is going to affect you on the inside of your home.

Knowing what you are allergic to is critical in determining your plan of action.

Often, no one strategy by itself is sufficient in gaining control over your allergic rhinitis symptoms. A combination of approaches along with some lifestyle changes is usually needed to find relief.

You can manage your pollen allergy through non-invasive, safe measures, relying less on drugs and their side effects.

Addressing the cause and not the symptoms allows you to manage your allergen load and cumulative effect to allergens, resulting in improved health.

Air Quality

• Use a room air purifier that has a HEPA filter.
• Use your air conditioner during the pollen season.
• Maintain good indoor air quality.
• Don't use window fans as they will pull in all the pollen.
• If you want to open up windows to let in fresh air, do so after a rain or when dew is on the ground.
• Using an attic fan during pollen season can draw pollen into your home.
• Keep your furnace filter clean and in good condition.

Hygiene

• If you have been outside for a while, at a minimum, wash you face and hands. Taking a shower and changing your clothes is preferable. Try to wash your hands before rubbing your nose or eyes.
• Wash your hair before going to bed so you don’t put pollen grains on your pillow. If you prefer not to do this, you can still quickly rinse your hair under the kitchen sink.
• When the cat or dog has been outside for a while, they can bring in pollen on their fur. Wiping down their fur with a damp cloth can be helpful.
• Washing your cat or dog will limit the amount pollen that their fur has collected.

Cleaning and Allergen Reduction

• Change your clothes when coming in from the outside as pollen will stick to your clothes and shoes.
• A vacuum with a HEPA filter is one of the most important tools that you can have in your fight against pollen allergy. Pollen is everywhere and is going to get into your house one way or another. The shape of pollen is designed to become airborne and catch air currents. A vacuum without a HEPA filter will not help your pollen allergy at all. All the pollen allergens collected during vacuuming will become airborne again through the exhaust of the vacuum. A vacuum with a HEPA filter is the key to allergen reduction and removal.
• Try to avoid wall-to-wall carpet if feasible for your situation. Carpet traps so many allergens that it adds to the allergen load. Avoiding carpet in the bedroom is especially beneficial.
• Vacuum the carpet weekly. Include vacuuming upholstered furniture at the same time.
• Dust before vacuuming.
• Do not use feather dusters or whisk brooms as they just stir up and spread the dust and pollen around. Use a damp cloth or damp mop instead.
• It is important to be picking up and collecting dust as you clean and not spreading it around with a feather duster or dry dust rag.
• Wear a mask while you clean.

Laundry

• Use throw rugs that can be rolled up and washed. Make sure you buy the ones that can stand up to washings.
• Use furniture throw that can be washed.
• Don't hang your laundry outside because it will collect the pollen floating in the air. Use your clothes dryer instead. Make sure it is vented to the outside.

Bedroom

• Every person who has pollen allergy should have a room of sanctuary. Everyone needs a place to go to find relief from their symptoms. Allergy symptoms will dissipate as exposure is eliminated. The best room to make a sanctuary of is the bedroom because we spend so much time in there.
• Since pollen is an airborne allergen, you need to eliminate it from the air in your room of oasis. Use a room air purifier with a HEPA filter.
• Keep the door shut and the windows closed. This helps a lot but does not eliminate the problem altogether. Pollen can also get into your room on your clothes.
• Wash your hair before going to bed. If you don't want to wash your hair, rinsing it will help keep pollen off from your pillow.
• Protect your bed from collecting allergens by encasing your bedding with allergen impermeable material. This is important to keep pollen away from you nose and mouth while you sleep.
• Change your bedding and keep your sheets washed on a regular basis.
• Don't sleep with your windows opens as pollen is higher in the evenings and early mornings.

Outdoors

• Pollen allergy is the hardest to manage outdoors. Keep an eye on the pollen count and plan your activities accordingly. Try to avoid the outdoors on dry windy days during pollen season. The pollen count is usually lower after a rain. The pollen count tends to be higher between 5-10 AM and between 4-7 PM.
• Take your medicine ahead of time before going outdoors. Most medication is the most effective if taken before the exposure. Don't use more medication than prescribed in hopes of further reduction of symptoms.
• Planning your vacation during the peak pollen season can be beneficial.
• While working outside, wear a face mask. It is always best to have someone who is not allergic to do the chores that stir up pollen such as mowing or raking leaves.
• Wear glasses to keep pollen out of your eyes.
• Exercise indoors.
• Plan carefully what you plant in your yard.
• Keep control over your weeds. Of course, you'll still breathe in pollen from your neighbors weeds!

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