Goodbye to Seasonal Allergies Hello to Summer Fun

Spring and Summer are a magical time of the year– the weather begins to warm and the nature around us begins to bloom. But with the onset of the warmer months comes the dreaded onset of seasonal allergies– sneezing as well as itchy and watery eyes can be super uncomfortable and make being outdoors fairly miserable!

Unfortunately, allergies can’t be cured, but they can be treated, controlled and somewhat prevented. If you want to enjoy the spring and summer, but often experience allergic reactions to seasonal triggers such as pollen, we have some tips for you. Keep reading for ways to prevent and control your allergies from Brook Ridge, one of the best 55 and over communities in McAllen Texas.

Tip #1: Avoid Allergy Triggers

The most obvious way to prevent and reduce allergic reactions to seasonal triggers is to just avoid them altogether. However, this is pretty difficult to do, so it’s best to focus on reducing your exposure to triggers as much as possible. This includes staying inside when pollen levels are high, keeping your windows and doors closed, wearing a face mask when you have to go outside, avoiding hanging laundry outside, avoiding yard work that can stir up pollen, and removing clothes and showering after going outside. The safest times to venture out to avoid pollen are right after it rains, as rain can help reduce pollen in the air and wash it away.

Tip #2: Ensure Your Air is Clean

During allergy season, it’s important to keep allergens out of indoor spaces, like your home and car. One of the best ways to do this is by ensuring that you have clean, fresh air. To help clean your indoor air, you can try using air conditioning, regularly changing your air filters, using a dehumidifier, and cleaning your floors often to avoid any kick-up of pollen that may have been tracked in on shoes. Indoor plants can also help improve indoor air quality–just make sure you don’t bring one inside that you’re allergic to!

Tip #3: Use Allergy Medicines

There are a variety of over-the-counter medicines that can help mitigate allergy symptoms. However, it’s a good idea to consult with your doctor to see which may be best for you, as some of these can cause side effects and aren’t recommended for people with certain medical conditions. The following are different OTC medicine options to help relieve allergies:

• Antihistamines are great for minimizing itching, sneezing and runny noses. Some examples include Benadryl®, Claritin®, Allegra®, and Zyrtec®.
• Nasal Sprays are particularly helpful for curing nasal congestion, postnasal drip and sinus pressure, which antihistamines can’t treat as well. Some examples of topical nasal steroid sprays include Flonase®, Rhinocort®, Nasonex® and Nasacort®.
• Oral Decongestants can also help to ease stuffiness and congestion. Some examples of oral decongestants include Sudafed®, Allegra-D®, Claritin-D® and Zyrtec-D®.

These options are readily available and can help relieve your allergy symptoms, so talk to your doctor to determine which is best for you.

Tip #4: Be Proactive

Be sure to prepare in advance in order to reduce the onset of seasonal allergies. Here are some examples of how you can be prepared for and proactive during allergy season:

• Get your home prepared with fresh, efficient air filters.
• Check the current pollen levels daily to see if the pollen counts are particularly high to avoid symptom flare-ups.
• Begin using nasal steroid spray daily, even in advance of the onset of allergy symptoms, as it can help prevent nose inflammation.

These are just a few tips for making sure pesky seasonal allergies don’t ruin your fun. Here at Brook Ridge, we ensure our community always has clean air and that surfaces are regularly wiped and vacuumed to avoid allergens. We also offer plenty of spring- and summer-themed indoor activities, allowing residents to have fun while avoiding allergy triggers like pollen. We are committed to helping our senior residents in Texas live in comfort!

To learn more about residency in Pharr, TX or to schedule a tour of the Brook Ridge Retirement Community, contact our friendly team today or call us at 541-323-3456.

The post Goodbye to Seasonal Allergies Hello to Summer Fun appeared first on Assisted Living & Independent Living For Seniors.