It’s that time of year again! The sun is staying out longer, and all the beautiful plants are starting to bloom all around us. With all that beauty comes pollen, which can make life quite uncomfortable for those of us with seasonal allergies! While some of you are lucky enough to not suffer from seasonal allergies, here are a few tips and tricks for those that have a love/hate relationship with spring.
One way you can avoid the sneezing and watery eyes that often comes with seasonal allergies, is to try and schedule your outside activities when exposure to pollen is lower. Early mornings and later afternoons seem to have less pollen than midday. If you must go out during peak pollen times, wear a hat and glasses to keep the pollen off your face and eyes. Another great time to get outside is after a good rain, as the rain washes away the majority of the pollens. Lucky for us here in the Pacific North West, we get a lot of rain! I know plenty of people like to use the sun to dry their laundry, however doing so can cause your laundry to become covered with pollen. Keeping your windows and doors shut will keep pollen from getting inside your home. You can also check the pollen levels near you by using an app on your smart phone (My Pollen Forecast is a great one!). Most weather apps will give you some information about the air quality and pollen index. Another way to check the pollen levels is to go to www.pollen.com to get a glimpse of what the pollen levels are near you. While www.pollenlibrary.com gives you a comprehensive list of plants that grow near you. Pollen Library also lists which plants bloom during each season.
We cannot always avoid pollen, so what can we do to eliminate those pesky allergies? You can always take an over-the-counter antihistamine, and the generic ones work just as well as most of the pricier ones. Another way to help with that congested feeling is to use a saltwater nasal wash. Not only will that rinse out the mucus, but it will also remove any pollen particles you may have inhaled. A decongestant can work for those who do not want to use a nasal wash. The decongestant often also helps eliminate eye symptoms related to seasonal allergies. If none of these remedies help to relieve your seasonal allergies, it may be time to contact your doctor and see if prescription medication would be a better fit.
At Harbor Health and Apothecary, we can compound any allergy medication, whether it is in a capsule, a cream, or even an eye drop! Please contact one of our pharmacists to see how we can help provide relief from your seasonal allergies!
Harbor Health and Apothecary
253-525-1362
3216 Judson St.
Gig Harbor, WA 98335