Fighting fall allergies
Septemeber 13, 2010It’s back-to-school time. For m-any people, this means back to suffering from fall allergies. Ragweed is the leading cause of fall allergy symptoms. Mold and dust mites also cause problems this time of year.
You don’t need to let allergies ruin your fall activities. Valley West provides the following advice to help allergy sufferers manage their symptoms this time of year.
- Avoid raking leaves, mowing lawns or working with peat, mulch, hay or dead wood. Wear a mask if you must do yard work.
- Avoid the outdoors between 5 and 10 a.m. Save outside activities for late afternoon or after a heavy rain, when pollen levels are lower.
- Don't burn leaves. Smoke aggravates allergies and can trigger asthma attacks.
- Take a shower, wash your hair, and change your clothes after working outside to remove pollen that may have collected in your clothes and hair.
- Keep windows in your home and car closed to lower exposure to pollen.
- Talk to your doctor. Your doctor can help you identify allergy triggers and develop a long-term treatment plan.
Source: National Institutes of Health, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
