Surviving Seasonal Allergies

Most of us look forward to the warmer temperatures of spring and summer, blooming flowers, and budding trees... but if you are one of the approximately 40 million people who suffer from allergies, you may be sneezing and sniffling too much to enjoy it. This year, when the pollen starts flying, consider one of the following tips to ease your seasonal allergy distress:

Pinpoint the Cause
Pollen? Mold? Spores? If you've had general "seasonal allergies" for years, but can't quite explain what it is that sends you into sneezing fits, try and figure out what your triggers are. If your issues are sporadic, tracking episodes in a journal for a week or two might help you find the allergy-causing culprits.

Watch for Cling-ons
If you're not careful, a simple walk around the block on a beautiful morning can ruin your whole day. When spring is in the air - literally - you can bring it indoors with you with pollen and spores that cling to your clothes and brush off on furniture or bedding. When pollen counts are high, be sure to shower and wash your clothing and sheets more frequently.

Keep Your Nose Clean, Kid
If you're looking for a possible home remedy for your allergies, try this: mix 8 ounces of water and a half-teaspoon of salt in a squirt bottle. Washing the allergens out of your nose once or twice a day with this simple saline nose spray could provide some much-needed relief.

Get Professional Help
If your seasonal allergies are so bad that nothing seems to help and you're tempted to lock yourself in a sterile room, see your doctor. Your allergy relief might need to come from a prescription medication, or alternative type of allergy therapy. An allergy test is often the first step in identifying the problem so you can find relief and enjoy the season.