Reduce Your Allergy Symptoms – 5 Tips to Help This Spring

There is no prettier place in the spring than the greater Chicago area. The weather gets warm, the trees come to life, bushes sprout new buds and the flowers come into bloom. Now that all sounds great, unless you’re one of the millions of people that suffers from chronic allergies. Itchy eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, the list goes on and on! Good thing there are ways to easily relieve and reduce these symptoms without having to stuff yourself with drowsy allergy medicine. Here are 5 tips to help you relieve those dreaded allergy symptoms this spring.

1. Take Your Shoes off Inside – Often one of the most overlooked things to relieve allergy symptoms is also the easiest thing to remember! Your shoes track dust, grass, pollen, and dirt into your home and basically come into a controlled environment to spread and thrive in. Leave your shoes at the front door, or better yet, give them a quick rinse right before you bring them inside.

2. Change Your Car’s Air Filter – This is an easy and cheap fix that can save you from lots of allergy related issues while behind the wheel. Next time you get your oil changed be sure to request a new air filter, and it should only run you around $10-$15. This is one of the best ways to stop any pollen or dust from being sucked in and causing itchy eyes and bad driving vision.

3. Wash Your Pet – People with pets often overlook the fact that sometimes they get a little bit dirty. Taking your dog for a walk and outside to play is fine and definitely encouraged! Despite this, animals attract and retain pollen, grass, and dust in their fur after being outside. Hose your pup off before you go back inside and it will help save you the headache of dealing with allergies in your home!

4. Shower – This one is a no brainer! If you’ve been outside all day playing sports or gardening, taking a nice hot shower can help remove certain allergens from your skin and hair, which in turn means there will be less allergens on your clothes and pillowcases. Not to mention that a hot shower creates a lot of steam, which is perfect for clearing out your nasal passages.

5. Inhaler, Eye-Drops, and Nose Spray – The combination of these three items are a sure-fire way to help you relieve all major allergy symptoms. You can purchase seasonal inhalers at your local pharmacy, as well as anti-itch eye drops, and saline nose spray. If you can breath freely, see clearly, and smell the flowers, I’d say you’re ready to go outside and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Allergies are a part of life in the Midwest, but they don’t have to define you during allergy season. Follow these tips for some actual allergy relief and get ready to feel better than ever!