Health library

Outsmart springtime allergens

If you have allergies, steering clear of pollens and mold can make your spring easier.

The sun's out, the birds are singing and your life revolves around a tissue box. Must be spring again. Is it possible to enjoy the season of sneeze if you're one of the many Americans with seasonal allergies?

Yes, says the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Take these steps to avoid allergens and spring may start to feel like a kinder, gentler season:

• Close your windows at night to keep out pollens and molds. Opt instead for air conditioning. It dries and cleans the air as it cools it.
• Save outdoor activity for times when pollen counts are low.  
• Don't drive with your car windows open.
• Keep an eye out for windy days, when lots of dust and pollen get stirred up.
• Vacation in a low-pollen zone, such as the beach.
• If you have a mold allergy, keep indoor plants to a minimum. Don't overwater, which can encourage mold growth.
• Get help with yard work. Mowing and raking can stir up pollens and molds.
• Shower shortly after you come in from outside. This will wash off pollens and molds.
• Skip the outdoor clothesline—pollens and molds can collect on your laundry.

To find out mold and pollen counts, visit the AAAAI's National Allergy Bureau website. They measure for these airborne allergens three times a week.

Reviewed 2/29/2024

Sources

• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. "Outdoor Allergens." https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/outdoor-allergens-ttr.
• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. "NAB FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)." https://pollen.aaaai.org/#/pages/faq.
• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. "National Allergy Bureau." https://pollen.aaaai.org/#.