Does anyone feel those Springtime allergies?

Good Friday Morning! Dan Wells writing, I hope this note find you well and in good spirits today!

Does anyone feel those Springtime allergies? If so, I found some tips to "nip them in the bud"

Spring means flower buds and blooming trees - and if you're one of the millions of people who have springtime allergies, it also means sneezing, congestion, runny nose and other bothersome symptoms. Springtime allergies - also called hay fever and allergic rhinitis - can make you miserable. But before you settle for plastic flowers and artificial turf, try these simple strategies to keep springtime allergies under control.

Reduce your exposure to allergy triggers
There are a number of things that you can do to reduce your exposure to the things that trigger your allergy signs and symptoms (allergens):

■Stay indoors on dry, windy days - the best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.
■Delegate lawn mowing, weed pulling and other gardening chores that stir up allergens.
■Remove clothes you've worn outside; you may also want to shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
■Don't hang laundry outside - pollen can stick to sheets and towels.
■Wear a dust mask if you do outside chores.

Take extra steps when pollen counts are high. Seasonal allergy signs and symptoms can flare up when there's a lot of pollen in the air. These steps can help you reduce your exposure:

■Check your local TV (FOX 19) or radio station, your local newspaper, or the Internet for pollen forecasts and current pollen levels.
■If high pollen counts are forecasted, start taking allergy medications before your symptoms start.
■Close doors and windows at night or any other time when pollen counts are high.
■Avoid outdoor activity in the early morning when pollen counts are highest.

Keep indoor air clean...There's no miracle product that can eliminate all allergens from the air in your home, but these suggestions may help:

■Use the air conditioning in your house and car.
■If you have forced air heating or air conditioning in your house, use high-efficiency filters and follow regular maintenance schedules.
■Keep indoor air dry with a dehumidifier.
■Use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your bedroom.
■Clean floors often with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter.

Rinse your sinuses?

Rinsing your nasal passages with salt water - nasal irrigation - is a quick, inexpensive and effective way to relieve allergy symptoms. Rinsing directly flushes out mucus and irritants from your nose. Look for a squeeze bottle or a neti pot - a small container with a spout designed for nose rinsing - at your pharmacy or health food store.

Finally, when home remedies aren't enough, see your doctor...I'm on my way there today!

I hope this infromation help....Happy Friday!
Dan

Information Source: Mayo Clinic