People with seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, can use prevention techniques to limit their exposure to pollen allergens. Inhaling fewer pollen granules will reduce the histamine levels in the blood that cause allergy symptoms such as sneezing and runny nose. Knowing which plants and which seasons threaten their equilibrium will allow patients to plan their response. Most allergenic trees pollinate in spring, while grasses reproduce in summer and ragweed in fall.
Avoid High-Pollen Environments
As overnight humidity drops and morning air warms, hay fever pollens travel more freely. The National Institutes of Health report that patients can avoid the days’ highest pollen levels by staying inside from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m., unless it is raining. Dry, hot, windy weather raises environmental pollen levels. Allergic rhinitis patients can follow local pollen count information and remain indoors when advised. Those who are allergic to trees or grasses can avoid walks in the woods or fields that might stir up pollen during reproductive seasons.
Control Indoor Air Quality
Doors and windows should be closed on “indoor” days, with air conditioning used to adjust room temperatures. Window or ceiling fans only attract and blow hay fever allergens into the air, according to the Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Clinic of Georgetown, Texas. Pollen can also invade a home by sticking to shoes or pet fur. Carpets should be vacuumed and dogs washed frequently in order to minimize patients’ allergy symptoms from indoor contamination. Air conditioners and vacuum cleaners can be equipped with allergy filters.
Reduce Outdoor Exposure
Patients can’t always stay indoors. When going outside or working in the garden during hay fever season, the Mayo Clinic suggests wearing a filtration mask.
Having someone who is not affected by allergic rhinitis mow the lawn or prune trees will minimize patients’ allergy symptoms. Tree, grass and ragweed pollens are light and sticky, and can settle on clothes hung out to dry, so laundry should be dried indoors.
Remove Surface Pollen
Before relaxing outdoors at low-pollen times, furniture should be hosed or wiped clean of pollen to prevent allergy symptoms. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America advises an immediate shower and change of clothing after outdoor exposure to wash away surface allergens on hair, skin and clothes.
Flush Nasal Passages
Allergic rhinitis directly affects the mucous membranes of the nose and the sinuses. As the Mayo Clinic relates, a saline solution of 1/4 tsp. salt to 2 cups warm water creates an effective nasal rinse. Patients can flush the nose and sinuses by pouring this solution from a neti pot, available from pharmacies, which has a spout designed for nasal use.
