Allergies—aren’t they a hoot? You should buy stock in tissues…or eye drops or throat lozenges.

It’s like having a never-ending cold, complete with all the symptoms: runny nose, dry or itchy or watery eyes, cough, sneezing, headache, and a feeling of general malaise, to name a few.

When the pollen count is high where you live, and the allergy index is in the red, you know to expect the worst.

Although those with allergies know that they are not just seasonal and not just limited to things outdoors. There are things happening during every month of the year that can cause flare-ups.

According to EverydayHealth.com, here’s a list of some things that could cause allergic reactions each month:

January – Indoor dust
February – Mold, dust & tree pollen (depending on where you live)
March – Tree pollen
April – Flower & grass pollen
May – Grass pollen
June – Grass pollen
July – Fungi spores & mold
August – Mold spores
September – Ragweed
October – Mold & fungi spores
November – Indoor dust, molds & pet dander
December – Live Christmas trees, indoor dust

A good resource to keep track of what’s blowing around in the air where you live is Pollen.com. They even have an Allergy Diary where you can keep track of your triggers and symptoms throughout the year.

The good news is that you don’t have to give in to allergies, no matter the season. There are things you can do to find some relief.

Spend Less Time Outdoors

Especially when you know the things you’re allergic to will be floating around, like on a windy day, it might be a good idea to stay inside.

If you must go out, try wearing a mask, and remember to wash it as soon as you get inside. Take a shower, wash your hair and put your clothes in the wash so the pollen doesn’t linger in your environment.

You could also wear sunglasses and a hat to help keep pollen floaties out of your eyes.

Use OTC Allergy Remedies

You’ve got over-the-counter (OTC) nasal sprays and antihistamines that are the most popular ways to keep allergy symptoms at bay, and don’t be discouraged if they don’t work right away. Sometimes it takes a few days for them to kick in.

Be sure to check with your doctor before starting any type of medication, and read product packages carefully.

Your doctor may also discuss with you allergy shot options if the OTC meds aren’t doing the trick.

If you’re looking for a more natural remedy, there are OTC homeopathic options available, and even essential oil blends that you can put into a diffuser.

There are even herbal supplements, like alfalfa, that can help limit allergy symptoms. Contact us  if you need help figuring out what to take.

Keep Your House Allergen Free

While you’re indoors, keeping windows closed, especially on a windy day, will leave the pollen outdoors where it belongs. You can always check your local pollen index if you just can’t stand to be without that cool breeze!

There are also air purifier options or air filters to keep pollen and particulates at bay indoors. Be mindful to change out air filters regularly too, because if they’re dirty, they will keep spreading stuff throughout your living space.

Having air ducts cleaned can also greatly reduce the amount of allergic triggers in your home.

And don’t discount the value of dusting and vacuuming more often than usual if you suffer from allergies.

Did you know that indoor plants could make your allergies kick up too? As sad as it may be, if your houseplants are making you miserable, it may be time to find them a new home.

Even something as simple as changing out your laundry detergent to something that’s fragrance-free might help…and wash bedding, clothes, curtains and other soft surfaces more frequently.

Tell Your Friends

This may sound ridiculous, but telling your friends and family that you are suffering from allergies will help them to know how they can help.

Maybe your friend likes to have a lot of fresh flowers in the house during the summer, but when you visit, you’re constantly blowing your nose and sneezing. If she knows you’re allergic, hopefully she would be kind enough not to display the flowers while you’re there.

Same with pets, if you have dander allergies— crating the dog or cat would be nice during your visit to someone’s house.

Ask Your Doctor

One more resource is your medical professional. Sometimes hormonal changes in the body can cause serious allergies.

For example, some pregnant women have reported that if they had bad allergies before they got pregnant, they had no symptoms while pregnant, and sometimes their allergies never returned after giving birth.

After all of these tips we’ve shared, the forecast is: allergy relief! If they don’t disappear altogether, at least you know what to do to alleviate symptoms.

P.S. We are fitness professionals but not doctors. If you choose to follow any advice from our blog, please consult with a medical professional first.