It ain’t Spring until you can’t smell anything.
It’s almost Spring! The sun is shining, the birds are returning, the flowers are blooming, and I can’t appreciate any of it because the inside of my nose feels like a Louisiana swamp. Springtime allergies are a massive pain in the butt, and that’s just for people who get stuck with a slightly runny nose or watery eyes. For some folks, Springtime allergies can be genuinely debilitating, to the point that even setting foot outside is like walking into a cloud of pollen. Unfortunately, we all have lives to live, so here’s how to deal with those irritating allergies.
Firstly, you should try and determine the severity of your allergies. If your nose just gets a little itchy, you don’t have much to worry about, but if high pollen levels cause something akin to asthma in you, you need to be more careful. The types of pollen around you can change depending on where you live and the local flora and fauna. If you need more concrete information, ask your doctor about an allergy panel. It’s admittedly not a fun process, but it can teach you a lot about how your body handles certain allergens.
When you’ve identified the cause and symptoms of your allergies, you can take better steps to deal with them. For one thing, try your best to keep the air in your home allergen-free. Keep the doors and windows closed, and use an air purifier. If you need to go outside, wear some face protection like a mask (which, hey, lots of people are doing right now anyway, so lucky you). If your eyes get itchy, try a pair of allergy goggles to keep irritants out of them. You should also keep an eye on your local weather report for heavy pollen warnings so you’ll know how much you need to prepare.
If your allergies are really bad, try some over-the-counter solutions like nasal spray or an antihistamine. Just make sure to follow the instructions on the packaging carefully, and don’t overuse them, or you could damage your nasal passages and make your symptoms worse.
