Eyes Waterin’, Nose Runnin’
Oh how quickly we forget. When we turn the calendar to March here in Charleston, we feel certain winter is basically behind us and we can begin to welcome spring buds, warm days and the feel of sunshine on our bare arms.
And then it hits. It turns everything yellow and hangs in the air. We forgot the worst part of spring: pollen. Sure we love its results – beautiful azaleas and sweet-smelling jasmine, but our allergies and sinuses feel otherwise.
And it’s no wonder! Charleston did rank No. 43 last year on an Allergy Capitals list from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
OK, we can’t do anything about the pollen so how do we manage its effects? WebMD offers the following tips for managing spring allergies:
– Keep the pollen under control. Wash your bedding weekly. Wash your hair and shower before going to bed so pollen doesn’t accumulate in your hair and hang out on your pillow.
– Clean, clean and clean. Vacuum twice a week and keep every surface in your home clean.
– Keep your indoor air clean. Keep windows and doors closed and change the filters for your heating/air conditioning unit.
– Consider allergy medication. Consult with your doctor on the severity of your condition. You may need a prescription or your doctor may be able to recommend an over-the-counter medication to relieve symptoms.