Achoo! Sound familiar? For allergy sufferers, enjoying the beauty of the great outdoors is often compromised by sniffles and sneezes. In fact, more than 50 million people in the United States are affected by allergies, the most common of which include trees, pollen, mold, dust, cockroaches, and pet dander, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

So, how can you prevent yourself from being plagued by pollen and other irritants throughout the year? Follow these tips to help you get rid of allergies once and for all.

1. Stay Indoors on Dry, Windy Days

Dry, windy weather means more dust, pollen, dander, and the like swirling around in the air. If you’ve suffered from allergies in the past, you know how bothersome it can be trying to maintain clear eyes and nasal passages as you encounter irritants on a dry, windy day.

According to Mayo Clinic, the best time to brave the outdoors during allergy season is after it rains. The rain helps clear pollen out of the air, making it easier for you to breathe. Otherwise, stay indoors and work to make sure the air within your home stays fresh and easy-to-breathe.

2. Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Did you know the air inside your home is five times more polluted than the air outside? Keeping doors and windows closed traps air inside, resulting in poor air circulation and allergy flare-ups. Improving your indoor air quality will help diminish your allergies. Here are a few ways how:

• Wash your linens and floors. Common household items, like linens and even floors can easily trap dust, mold, and other irritants, so give them a fresh clean this season.
• Use plants as a natural air cleaner. Some plants, like ivies, ferns, and dracaenas naturally filter the air in your home, helping you breathe a little easier.
• Purchase an air cleaner. Air cleaners remove pollutants like mold, pet dander, and dust — as well as circulate clean air throughout your home.
• Leave your furnace mode set to ‘on.’ Although circulating old air throughout your house isn’t quite as efficient as bringing new air in, leaving the blower on your furnace system on will greatly improve your home’s filtration.

3. Delegate Outdoor Chores

Sometimes, there’s only so much you can do to combat itchy, watery eyes, a runny nose, and a tickling throat. If you know that spending time outside during the spring and summer months will result in an allergy attack, consider delegating outdoor tasks to others in your family.

Outdoor chores like gardening, mowing the lawn, and pulling weeds stir up pollen, dust, dirt, and who knows what else, which can easily cause your allergies to act up — and it’s just not worth it.

4. Shower and Clean Clothes After Allergen Exposure

If you choose to brave the outdoors regardless, be sure you know how to minimize ongoing exposure to allergens once you’re back inside. Start by removing the clothes you wore outside and give them a good wash. Then, hop in the shower and clean off any lingering dirt and dust.

Maintaining basic hygiene is an effective way to eliminate allergens from your clothes and other belongings. And, the steam from a hot shower can help clear out clogged nasal passages.

5. Consider Wearing a Mask Outdoors

In extreme cases, you may find yourself singing, “The weather outside is frightful” — even in the spring, summer, and fall. When it seems unbearable to spend time outdoors because of your allergies, consider wearing a mask.

You can find budget-friendly surgeon’s masks that cover your nose and mouth at convenience stores like Walgreens and Target. Or, take things up a level by investing in a washable, mesh pollen mask, which protects you from common outdoor allergens.

6. Check Local Pollen and Allergen Levels

Just like you check the weather before you head out, you should also check local pollen and allergen levels so you know what to expect as you go about your day. Generally, pollen counts are at their highest between 5:00 AM and 10:00 AM, so if you’re allergic to pollen, plan your morning accordingly. Levels are typically lower in the evening, especially on damp, cloudy days.

7. Take Over-the-Counter Allergy Medicine

Last, but certainly not least, you can find relief in allergy medicine. There’s no shortage of over-the-counter allergy meds out there to choose from, and it may take a bit of trial and error before you find what works best for you (i.e., doesn’t make you drowsy).

Some popular over-the-counter allergy medications available as a pill include Zyrtec, Claritin, Benadryl, and Allegra. If you prefer a nasal spray, try Flonase or Nasacort. Each of these is available at your local convenience store or pharmacy — and even on Amazon!

Adios, Allergies!

In Minnesota, we only experience a handful of warm-weather months. You want to get outside and take advantage of the beautiful weather while you can. And if you have allergies, it may seem impossible. Unfortunately, you can’t completely escape allergies, but with the tips above, we’re confident you’ll breathe easier this year and for years to come.

Ready to start ridding your home of indoor pollutants? Learn more about air cleaners and how they help allergy sufferers.