Pollen can cause respiratory complications for people with asthma, COPD, and other allergic conditions. These particles can travel deeper into the lungs than usual, leading to the worsening of these illnesses.
Pollen allergy causes a person to experience several of the following symptoms:
- itchy or watery eyes
- itchy throat
- a runny nose
- sneezing
- a stuffy nose
- wheezing
During the months when pollen counts are highest, it is advised that individuals stay indoors as much as possible.
Here are some tips to protect yourself from pollen allergies:
- To minimize the amount of pollen entering your eyes, wear sunglasses or glasses when outdoors.
- Hats with wide brims can help keep pollen from collecting on your hair. This will reduce the likelihood of experiencing headaches or other complications related to pollen exposure.
- To maximize the effectiveness of allergy medication, it is advised to begin taking it several weeks before pollen season begins. This allows your body’s histamine production to be controlled and eliminates symptoms through this method.
- Daily hair washing is an effective way to remove pollen from your hair and skin. This will keep the pollen off of your bedding, minimizing the risk of allergies in the morning.
- Don’t hang clothing outdoors to dry; pollen may stick to laundry. Dry your clothes in a clothes dryer.
- To clean bedding, wash it in hot soapy water once a week.
- Wear a pollen mask when mowing the lawn, raking leaves, or gardening, and take appropriate medication beforehand or better, let the work be done by another person.
- It is important to reduce close contact with pets that spend a lot of time outdoors.
If you are experiencing similar allergic symptoms you need to consult with an allergy specialist. They can perform testing to identify a person’s specific pollen allergies.
