For immediate relief from everything
from allergic reactions to pollen, not to
mention that red tide smell producing
a bad cough, a shower and change
of clothes is recommended. Pollen and
other irritants can stay trapped in your hair
and will continue to bother the respiratory
system if not washed out. If the beach is
bothersome, leaving the shoreline will cure
side effects almost instantly. For those looking
to deter the side effects, avoidance is
the best option.
Neti pots and humidifi ers can also aid
upper respiratory issues. However, humidifi
ers can also be part of the problem.
Because the coastline is already
humid enough, airways tend to stay more
44 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE May/June 2020
fl uid here. The cleaning responsibility that
comes with owning a humidifi er is often
not met, and can create a vicious cycle
of breathing in bacteria.
“People are not going to clean it everyday,”
said Knowles. “At my dad’s house,
we cleaned the coffee pot after drinking
from it for fi ve years, and there was a
dead frog in it. We were drinking dead
frog coffee.”
Some resolutions are not cure-alls.
Keeping air conditioner fi lters clean and
being aware of the bacteria transferring
to house carpets are more effective
solutions. Knowles recommended checking
the Weather Channel Mobile App for
allergy tracking and updates.
SPRING ALLERGY SOLUTIONS TO TRY AT HOME
If pollen is an allergy trigger for you, the best thing that you can do is avoid
it. Of course, that’s a lot easier said than done – whether you live in a rural
town or a major city, you’re going to come into contact with pollen every
time you step outside.While you can’t escape outdoor allergens, you can
take steps to keep them out of your home and reduce your exposure.
START BY KEEPING TRACK OF POLLEN COUNTS. CHECK YOUR LOCAL
WEATHER STATION OR A TRUSTED NATIONAL SOURCE LIKE AAAAI BEFORE
YOU PLAN YOUR DAY,
THEN TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS:
• Keep your doors and windows closed when pollen counts
are high.
• Set car and home air conditioning systems to recirculate
indoor air.
• During allergy season, wash your bedding and vacuum
carpets more frequently to remove any lingering pollen.
• Change your clothing and/or shower after spending a lot
of time outdoors.
• Dry clothes in a drying machine instead of hanging them up
outdoors on a line or rack.
• Take your shoes off at the door to avoid tracking pollen
into your home.
• Do most of your outdoor activities in the morning and
evening, as pollen counts tend to peak around midday.
Information gathered from https://www.fl oridamedicalclinic.com
/www.floridamedicalclinic.com
