My friend in Australia goes camping at Christmas and sits by the fireplace in June. She’s preparing for fall now. But for much of the globe Spring has arrived, complete with lovely blooms, furious storms, and allergies.

The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology offers a number of tips to make life easier for those with pollen and mold allergies. Here are some ideas:

• Avoid outdoor activities in the morning if possible. Pollen counts are higher in the mornings.
• Keep doors and windows of your home and vehicle closed to keep pollen and mold spores outside.
• After outside activity, take a shower, wash your hair, and launder the clothing you wore outside to remove pollen.
• Plan camping trips, walks in the park, etc., during the “off-season” for the pollens you are allergic to. (As a general rule, trees pollinate in spring, and weeds in fall. Grasses pollinate in summer with overlap into late spring and early fall.)
• Enjoy a trip to the beach, desert, or other area with minimal vegetation during seasons of heavy pollen.
• Raking leaves and mowing lawns stirs up pollens and molds. Assign this job to someone else if possible. If you must do the job yourself, wear a mask. One of our sponsors offers a mask designed especially for yardwork or housework. See a complete selection of masks here.
• Don’t hang clothes or bedding outdoors to dry. Pollens and molds can collect on them.
• Ask your physician what medications or treatments are best for you.

For more information, see:
Tips to Remember: Outdoor Allergens, from the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).