Ah, spring. The sun is shining, the flowers are in bloom, and you’re stuck inside with allergies. Although you’ll never be able to completely rid yourself of allergies, there are some ways you can prevent them from cropping up, especially during one of the best seasons of the year.

Pay Attention to the Pollen Count

Pollen is the biggest factor contributing to your spring allergies, so it’s good to know when you need to be on extra-high alert. Thanks to the internet, the pollen count for your area should be pretty easy to find; it’s available on some of the big weather websites. When your area is at high risk of pollen, try to limit your time outside, and keep your doors and windows closed as much as possible.

Keep Your Home Clean

Try as you might, but pollen can still make its way into your home. Whether you’ve tracked it into your home or it’s come in through your air conditioning unit, you can never be too sure how much of it is lurking around. What better incentive to give your home a nice clean on the regular? If you don’t mind making a small investment, using a HEPA air purifier can get that in-home pollen count down. Also be on the lookout for pets who come in and out. They might be bringing pollen in as well.

Get Medicated

Even if you try your best to stay away from pollen, there’s still a chance you could end up with those pesky allergy symptoms. That’s why many allergy sufferers choose to take medicines, such as antihistamines, to ease their symptoms. However, it also pays off to take this medication before you even come down with their allergies. Taking your medication early has been shown to reduce the risk of allergies popping up at all.

Try Natural Remedies

If, for whatever reason, you want to stay away from pills, sprays, and syrups, you could try beefing up your diet with some herbal remedies. Quercetin — which can be found naturally in citrus and some green foods — and butterbur have been praised for their allergy-fighting powers. However, do note that the research is still out for these remedies, and you should always consult your doctor before supplementing your diet with something new.

Talk With Your Doctor

Speaking of your doctor — who better to give you advice on allergy matters? Every case is different, and some people get hit with allergies harder than others. Not only will your doctor be able to recommend you the proper medications and dosages for your situation, but he or she may be able to give you an allergy shot, which you wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else.

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