How to Survive Pollen

When you have pollen allergies, the outdoors becomes a place where your eyes water, your nose itches and your body goes into a frenzy of sneezing. You may find yourself avoiding the pleasures of picnics, outdoor birthday parties and gardening for fears of an allergic reaction. In order to cope with your allergies and enjoy the world around you, you need to know allergy facts about the three primary pollen culprits and how to protect yourself from them.

Things You'll Need

• An antihistimine

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Instructions

• 1

  Learn the pollen seasons. Just as there are four seasons in a year, there are seasons in the allergy-world; times of the year when pollen counts are at significant high. For ragweed pollen, the months of August through November are when it flourishes. Grass pollen is sporadic, peaking in September with ragweed, and reappearing during March through May. Tree pollen is the "early bird" pollen producer, providing pollen in January and then again in late May or early June.

• 2

  Protect your body from pollen. Before you go outside, prepare your internal system for pollen exposure. This preparation includes, taking a non-drowsy antihistamine, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding foods or drinks with sugar. Then, when you are ready to go outdoors, go during a time when pollen is at its lowest. During a pollen season, this is after the sun has gone down or on days after a heavy rain.

• 3

  Pollen-proof your home. During pollen seasons keep windows and doors closed. Although the breeze may feel good, with your windows open, you allow pollen to literally come blowing in. Advise family members and visitors to leave shoes at the front door. Pollen can be tracked through your home by shoes that have walked on grass or dirt. And once pollen gets on your carpet you can expect the sneezing to begin.

• 4

  Shower or bathe every night to wash off traces of pollen that have come into contact with your skin. This will ensure that your bedsheets stay pollen-free.

• 5

  Check your local pollen count on days that you want to enjoy extended time outdoors. Pollen.com website is one site designed specifically for this purpose.

• 6

  Keep your car windows closed. Don't drive with your car windows down during pollen seasons. No matter how cool the day may feel, when you drive with your car windows down, you expose your eyes, nose and skin to winds that can contain high amounts of pollen.

• 7

  Keep the grass in your lawn cut short. Wear a mask when mowing the lawn. Better yet, have someone else do the mowing. Plant ground cover that doesn't produce much pollen such as bunch, Irish moss, and dichondra