Maybe there’s something to the whole legend about the groundhog seeing his shadow after all – because for many parts of the US, winter does indeed seem to be on the way out, ushering in an unseasonably early spring. Why? Mild winters, with shorter stretches of cold weather, and a trending uptick in temperature have created an early arrival of spring…and its subsequent allergies. In fact, many experts are declaring that the 2016 season will be a particularly nasty one. As reported by the Huffington Post, Dr. Clifford Bassett of the Allergy and Asthma Care offices of New York, said he’s “already seeing a tenfold increase in the volume of phone calls of people complaining of allergies and allergy-like symptoms.”
In addition to the natural allergens of spring, excess moisture – from melting snow and frequent rainstorms – creates a haven for mold and mildew growth, which can mean a double-whammy for anyone with allergies or asthma.
Most people are familiar with spring allergy symptoms: headaches; itchy, watery eyes; runny noses that never seem to stop. These symptoms can also be detrimental for asthma sufferers, as attacks can be triggered by allergens.
Knowing what you’re allergic to can give you an advantage, as you can take preventative steps to lessen the effects of allergy season. Tackling excess moisture in and around your home is also crucial to staving off the onslaught of symptoms that many experience due to mold and mildew growth.
When it comes to seasonal allergies, over-the-counter antihistamines are often a good place to start, as they can help prevent symptoms before they begin. And although it’s impossible to control nature, you can take measures to ensure that your indoor environment is allergen free and dry as possible with air purifiers, dehumidifiers, and HEPA vacuums, which will go a long way in lessening or preventing common allergy symptoms.
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, about 50 million Americans have seasonal allergies. There are many ways to minimize occurrences of allergic reactions as well as prevent them altogether. Here are a few of our favorite allergy-busting tips!
- Combat excess humidity in your home by investing in a high-quality basement dehumidifier, which can help inhibit the growth of mold and mildew. We recommend the Fral dehumidifier for large to mid-sized areas and the Friedrich dehumidifier if you want a built-in pump.
Fral dehumidifier - Take antihistamines about a half hour prior to going outdoors.
- Use an air purifier with an effective HEPA filter to remove airborne allergens and contaminants from your indoor air. We recommend the QuietPure Home air purifier for large areas and the Blueair air purifiers for a bedroom.
QuietPure Home air purifier - Limit time spent outdoors during peak hours and on days with high pollen counts, avoiding yard work if possible; otherwise, wear gloves and a filter mask when doing outside chores.
- Try not to touch your eyes after being exposed to allergens.
- Wash your hands and hair when coming in from outside and leave shoes at the door.
- Wash throw rugs and change bed sheets often.
- Vacuum often with a HEPA vacuum cleaner that’s completely sealed so no allergens are released back in your home. We recommend Miele vacuums as being the top rated sealed vacuums.
See a complete selection of healthy home products for removing allergens and ensuring a clean indoor environment at AllergyBuyersClub.com.