How to Get Ahead of Allergy Season

If you’re like me, then allergy season is every season—you must be on your allergy fighting A-game year-round.

If not, you only suffer from allergies through a specific season and, maybe, you haven’t quite figured out how to alleviate those symptoms. Whatever the case may be, you are not suffering alone! Take it from someone who spends most of the year feeling like Lisa from Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide— there ARE ways to get ahead of your allergies.

Know What Your Allergens Are

The first step to treating your symptoms is figuring out what types of allergens are causing your reactions. A great tool for this is weather.com. You can search the breakdown of different pollen counts in your area. Yes, there are different types of pollen. Once you’ve figured out the root cause of your seasonal allergies, you can plan ahead to start treating symptoms before they start.

Find Medicines That Work for You

Finding a good over-the-counter medicine is key to staying on top of your symptoms. I recommend a non-drowsy antihistamine like Allegra or Zyrtec that you can take in the morning to last you throughout the day. In addition, a nasal spray like Nasacort or Flonase works wonders to relieve a stuffy nose. Nonetheless, the most important part of this step is to start taking medicine as soon as your symptoms start and keep up with them until you’re in the clear.

Keep Clean 

Washing your hands is always a good idea, but especially when feeling under the weather. Your hands can carry so. many. germs. In addition, washing your clothes and taking a shower after spending time outdoors will help to remove the pollen that sticks to you throughout the day. Lastly, it never hurts to deep clean your room. I know, it sounds like a lot of work, but even just sweeping the dust off the floor and wiping down surfaces with a Clorox wipe can help to keep your allergies at bay.

Pro Tips

I wanted to leave you with some pro tips that have definitely made a huge difference for me.

First, always have tissues on hand: keep a pack in your car, in your backpack or purse, on your nightstand, and wherever else you frequent. Just trust me, you’re going to want them. Second, try to avoid using a ceiling fan for the time being. This one seems odd, but the reasoning behind it is that ceiling fans tend to collect dust particles and blow them everywhere when turned on— which will definitely get you sneezing. If you absolutely need a fan in your room, use a floor fan. My last two tips are obvious: get good rest and drink tons of water. Period.

Whether your symptoms are super intense or barely there, everyone should know how to fight back against allergy season. Hopefully, these tips and tricks will help you get ahead of your allergies— I know they have helped me immensely over the years.

Be well, Auburn.

Be Well has no affliation with products or companies mentioned in the article.