8 Simple Things You can Do to Decrease Your Pollen Exposure

It would be a massive understatement to say that seasonal allergies are no fun. Across the United States each spring, tens of millions of allergy sufferers begin sneezing. The most common cause? Pollen.

Pollens are the tiny male cells that grasses, weeds, and trees release each spring to continue the life cycle. Because they're spread mostly by the wind, they're carried far and wide, easily infiltrating our homes.

Now, short of locking yourself in a pollen-proof box for most of the year, there's no way to completely avoid pollen, but there are some simple ways to decrease your exposure and alleviate some of your symptoms.

1. Knowing is half the battle: First, you should see an allergist or immunologist for an allergy test. This will tell you what type of pollens and molds you're allergic to (it will also tell you what other allergies you might have, such as dust mites or pet dander). Once you know what you're allergic to, you can try to avoid exposure to it.
   
   
2. Track the source of your problem: It's possible to track pollen counts online. The National Allergy Bureau tracks different types of pollen in the air all across the country. Some newspapers and TV weather reports also give pollen counts. Avoid spending too much time outside on days when the pollen count is too high.
   
   
3. Sometimes it's best to stay home: After months of cold weather, it can be nice to get outside for a change. However, it's best to stay indoors when the pollen count is high, usually between 5 and 10 am. If you are outside during those hours, avoid intense outdoor activities, such as exercise or strenuous work. You can also minimize pollen exposure by wearing a pollen and dust mask while outdoors.
   
   Weather also affects the amount of pollen in the air. Pollen is usually highest on hot, breezy days. Gentle, sustained rain washes most of the pollen out of the rain, but thunderstorms can stir it up.
4. Wash the problem out of your hair: Since pollen sticks to clothing, skin, and hair, take a shower and wash your hair before going to bed so that pollen from your hair can't be transferred to your pillow. Also, washing your hands after being outside can keep pollen from being transferred from hands to eyes, where they can cause irritation. It's a good idea to use a special anti-allergen laundry detergent, which will remove not only pollen, but pet dander and other allergens as well.
   
5. Spring freshness isn't the only thing getting into those sheets: Even though you might want to take advantage of that fresh spring breeze to hang your laundry up outside, hanging clothes are like a filter trap for pollen. Using a clothes dryer instead minimizes the amount of pollen that can get on clothes and sheets. The heat of the dryer also neutralizes the pollen.
   
6. Do some spring cleaning: Pollen and other allergy-causing agents can be reduced, although not eliminated, through regular cleaning. Using a HEPA vacuum cleaner is best, but if that's not an option you can upgrade the air filtration in your current vacuum to include exhaust filters and multi-layer bags for high allergen containment. Be careful, however, as cleaning without a HEPA vacuum or HEPA air cleaner can stir up more dust and pollen, sometimes making your symptoms worse.
   
7. No pollen allowed: If you have pets that spend time outside, keep them out of the bedroom. If that's not feasible, at least keep them off your bed. Pets not only carry (and deposit) pet dander, but can also have pollen stuck to their fur.
   
   If your pets spend a lot of time outside, you should bathe them frequently. Using a pet shampoo that minimizes allergens will help reduce both pollen and pet dander
8. Lock out pollen: Keep your windows and outside doors closed as much as possible during the pollen season. Using central air conditioning as much as possible (if you have it) will keep keep pollen outside. If it's not possible to air condition the entire house, use a room air conditioner in the bedroom of the person with allergies and keep the windows and doors to that room closed. Check A/C filters often to make sure they're clean. This not only increases their efficiency, but saves energy and money.
   
   If you don't want to give up that fresh outdoor breeze, you can get a window screen that will lock out pollen and other allergens.

For more information:
National Allergy Bureau Pollen Count by Region (courtesy of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology)
Allergy Be Gone Allergists Directory by state