Get Ahead of Spring: 3 Ways to Prepare for Allergy Season Now

Spring is on its way, bringing lush flowers, warmer temperatures, and allergy symptoms.  

Most spring allergies stem from pollen or outdoor mold spores that thrive from March to early summer in the United States. Dust mites released during spring cleaning contribute, too.

Thankfully, there’s a lot you can do to keep your allergy symptoms, like watery eyes and congestion, to a minimum. All it takes is some smart planning.

At her offices in Valencia, Burbank, and Lancaster, California, Dr. Maricar Cutillar-Garcia diagnoses and treats seasonal allergies in children and adults. To help you stay ahead of your springtime symptoms, she put together the following tips. 

1. Get (and follow) a customized allergy plan

If you tend to sniffle and sneeze during the spring and leap straight to over-the-counter allergy medicine, consider shifting that plan. Allergy symptoms can overlap with other conditions, such as sinus infections, which need different treatment. 

Furthermore, remedies you can pick up at a grocery store may not suit your specific allergens, symptoms, or lifestyle. Your treatment attempts may also work against you by causing side effects, interacting with other medications, or only helping to a mild degree.

After an exam and allergy testing, if needed, Dr. Cutillar-Garcia may recommend a prescription nasal spray, oral medication, or allergy shots. She also offers personalized lifestyle guidance.

2. Use appropriate air purifiers

Research shows that using an air purifier can reduce indoor allergen content by over 51%. For the best allergy protection, only use purifiers with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. 

Make sure each purifier size suits the size of the room or area you plan to target. You may benefit from a small one in your bedroom and a larger one in your living room.

Once you start using a purifier, clean or replace the filter regularly. During the spring, you may need to do so more often, such as every 1-2 months versus every 3-6 months, depending on the product instructions. 

3. Take evening showers 

If you tend to bathe or shower in the morning, consider shifting that routine by springtime. 

Evening showers wash away common allergens that gather on your hair or skin, like pollen, during the day. This keeps them from accumulating on your bedding, staving off nighttime congestion.

Steam from a warm shower can also clear and soothe your sinuses, making way for restful sleep. Just make sure you consistently wash your hair, a notorious pollen collector, especially after time outdoors. 

To get on track with allergy management, call our office or request an appointment through our website today for personalized, expert support.