Allergy Season: Some Ways To Keep Your Allergies In Check

Spring has sprung, and so have allergies. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love spring. The leaves and grass become green again, and the flowers begin to bloom. But one thing that drives me nuts about the weather breaking is allergies. So, how can you get allergy season relief?

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, in many areas of the United States, spring allergies begin in February and last until the early summer. "Tree pollination begins earliest in the year followed by grass pollination later in the spring and summer and ragweed in the late summer and fall. In tropical climates, however, grass may pollinate throughout a good portion of the year," they said. They also mentioned that mild winter temperatures can cause plants to pollinate early. A rainy spring can also promote rapid plant growth and lead to an increase in mold, causing symptoms to last well into the fall.

Allergy symptoms can vary from person to person. I go through the "allergy symptoms works," from stuffy and runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and scratchy throat. If you're an allergy sufferer, then you’re fully aware that the best way to treat any allergy is to avoid exposure to allergens. Of course, this is easier said than done. This is especially true if your allergies are caused by things in your environment.

According to the Allergy & Asthma Network, when possible, limit time outside when your allergy triggers are the most active. You can also limit outdoor allergens from coming inside. They advise keeping your windows closed, changing clothes, and showering after being outside.

They also suggested working with your allergist to develop a treatment plan. After visiting my doctor for unbearable allergy symptoms, they recommended some over-the-counter and prescription medication options. Some medications include nasal saline sprays, oral antihistamines, nasal or oral decongestants, or topical treatments. They also asked if I would be comfortable with an allergy shot. At the time, I decided to try an over-the-counter solution, which seems to be working.

If you're curious about the allergy shots, they are regular injections over a period of time. Each allergy shot contains a tiny amount of the specific substance or substances that trigger your allergic reactions.

Allergy shots contain just enough allergens to stimulate your immune system. But not enough to cause a full-blown allergic reaction. Over time, your doctor increases the dose of allergens in each of your allergy shots. This helps get your body used to the allergens. Your immune system builds up a tolerance to the allergens, causing your allergy symptoms to diminish over time.

Sometimes, it helps to be aware of the weather. Sometimes, when my symptoms are really bad, I check the Asthma and Allergy Forecast. It provides the asthma index, allergy index, and flu index. This includes the weather factors that can trigger asthma symptoms, plant growth stages that increase the release and airborne spread of pollen, and the degree to which transmission of the virus is favorable.

If you're looking for more natural solutions, some people suggest using a dehumidifier to help reduce moisture in the air. I recently learned that they limit mold growth. Interestingly, an HVAC employee who came by our house for routine maintenance said that high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters help trap indoor airborne allergens, such as pollen, mold, dust mites, or pet dander, before they can circulate in your home. That's something I would have never thought about.

Finding the causes of your allergies can help you avoid them or find remedies that suit you. Your doctor can do an exam of your nose and throat to see if you suffer from seasonal allergies. They may even perform a skin prick test that can quickly identify allergic reactions to dozens of common triggers, including mold, dust, pollen, and pets.

Plants don't always give off beautiful floral aromas, scents, and smells. There are plants that give off unpleasant smells that could stink up your garden. Most plants give off produce scents to lure in pollinators and repel predators.

Bees and butterflies are drawn to your garden by sweet scents from fragrant flowers. Plants with foul odors smell this way to attract flies and beetles which normally lay their eggs in feces and rotting materials.

With the gardening season around the corner, you may want to consider avoiding putting these plants in your garden.

Here are five plants that can smell up your garden.