If you suffer from allergies throughout the warmer months, there are several steps you can take to make life more manageable. In particular, summer rains can nourish pollen-producing plants and encourage mold growth. By understanding your specific allergy triggers and taking proactive measures, it is possible to minimize symptoms during warm, wet weather. Summer rain can also swell and burst pollen particles that are in the air. This phenomenon leads to a condition that people call “thunderclap asthma.” Here are some tips to help you manage your allergies during this time of year.
1. Identify Your Triggers
Allergies are not an illness. Instead, your immune system recognizes a trigger substance as an invader and attacks itself as a way to kill the foreign substance that has entered your airway or bloodstream. Allergies can be caused by various factors, such as mold, pollen or pet dander. To effectively manage your allergies, it is important to understand what causes them. Consider keeping a journal to record any reactions you experience and the conditions that seem to trigger those reactions. This will help you identify specific allergens in your environment and develop strategies for avoiding or reducing exposure to them.
Additionally, consider consulting a doctor for an allergy test, which can help you pinpoint the exact causes of your reactions. If you know the specific species of plant that triggers your allergies, for example, you can monitor online pollen sites to see when your largest triggers are at the highest airborne concentrations.
2. Avoid Your Triggers
Once you know what specific allergens are causing your symptoms, minimize exposure. In many cases, staying indoors for the worst part of summer allergy season is enough to avoid much of the issue. This could also mean avoiding certain activities or settings where those triggers may be present. Other measures include changing air filters regularly during routine maintenance and keeping windows and doors closed during periods of high pollen count to reduce the amount of pollen that enters your home or workplace.
If your main trigger is mold, then use the rainy season to identify areas where your home is not watertight. To avoid stimulating mold growth through indoor humidity, consider investing in a dehumidifier. Activate your bathroom and kitchen fans when you create steam, such as when boiling water, bathing or showering. Air conditioners also help reduce the amount of humidity in a home.
3. Invest in a Good Air Purifier
Having an air purifier in your home can help to reduce the amount of allergens in your environment. Select a model specifically designed to remove pet dander, pollen and other airborne particles from the air. You may also want to consider investing in an air filter for your car, which can help reduce allergy triggers when you are on the go.
When choosing an air purifier, look for a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. These filters are proven to be the most effective at reducing allergens in the home. You may also opt to look for in-line air purifiers that work with your heating and air conditioning.
Regularly cleaning your home, car, and workplace can help reduce the number of outdoor allergens that you bring into your indoor spaces.
5. Consider Medications and Natural Remedies
If avoiding triggers isn’t enough, you can try a few other treatments to help manage your seasonal allergies. Over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines or decongestants can control symptoms such as sneezing, congestion and itchy eyes. You may also want to try natural remedies or herbal supplements that have anti-inflammatory properties. For some people, this can help to reduce allergy symptoms. If you are seeking advice from a professional, there are herbalists, nutritionists and naturopaths who specialize in advising clients on appropriate remedies for summer allergy control.
If you live in the Festus area, contact Bone Heating & Cooling to learn more about how HVAC services can help you to stay comfortable indoors when allergy season is at its worst. We offer installation, maintenance and repair on furnaces, heat pumps, mini-splits and air conditioners. We also provide hot water heater, fireplace, sheet metal and ductwork installation and repair. Talk to our staff about new installation services. We also offer financing options and maintenance agreements. Our technicians are highly skilled and available to answer any questions.
