There is only so much you can do during allergy season… or as I refer to it… SNOT season!

Every spring while the trees vomit their pollen… I suffer.  My nose drips like a leaky faucet, my lungs fill with phlegm.

. My mucous membranes are working in overload creating an abundance of SNOT. My energy level slags and my puffy red watery eyes resemble the undead!

I have 4 choices; profoundly suffer, move to the far north, live in a hermetically sealed bubble, or take drugs…lots of drugs!

When the plants erupt with growth, and their pollen explodes into the air… I refer to this 2nd season of spring as “SNOT” (aka Allergies). The 1st is “MUCK”, and the 3rd – which is soon to arrive – is “SUCK” (aka BUGS).

As you may have guessed, I’m not a fan of the 3 seasons of spring.

Although my outdoor activities are greatly reduced during the 4 weeks of “SNOT”, there are many ways I have learned to survive. The first strategy is to stay indoors with all the windows closed and sealed.   However, most of us need to… or at least want to get outside. So let’s explore ways to survive the 2nd season of Spring!

Tree Pollen

Tree pollen is the main cause of allergy symptoms in early and mid-spring. Some people are allergic to pollen from a single type of tree, while others have problems with pollen from many different tree species.  Depending on which tree pollen you are sensitive to, you could have symptoms for 1 or 2 weeks in April or May, while others will have symptoms from March to June.

Medication

There are many medications to treat seasonal pollen allergies.  Here are some things to consider:

Over the counter – There are many to choose from including; Reactine, Allegra, Aerius, & Claritin. If over-the-counter antihistamines are not controlling your symptoms, see your allergist.

Prescription medication – There are a variety of medications including; oral antihistamines, oral leukotriene antagonists, nasal steroid sprays, nasal antihistamine sprays, and eye drops.

Use combinations –  If one medication is not working, try another one.  Sometimes a combination of medications is needed  This should only be done with the help of your doctor.

When – Learn exactly which pollen affects you and start your medications before those pollen counts get high, and before you develop symptoms. Trees, grasses, and weeds pollinate on a fairly regular schedule each year, so you can anticipate when pollen counts will be high. Tree pollen that fell on my car in one day during the 1st week of May

Your Environment

Although you can’t avoid pollen, there are some things you can do to reduce exposure.  Here are some tips:

Move – During the last 2 weeks of April through to the last week of May move to the far north or into the mountains… not always practical!

Home – Close your windows and vents to the outside.  If you sleep with the windows open, house pollen levels will be higher and you will have more symptoms.

Car – keep the windows and vents closed.  Minimize the amount of outdoor air and pollen you bring into the car.   When in a car, you are exposing yourself to significantly more pollen than when you are sitting on a park bench.  This is because the volume of air you are exposed to when moving is higher than when stationary.

Time of Day – Pollen counts tend to be higher in the morning than in the afternoon.  If you enjoy outdoor activities, do them in the afternoon.  Campers with a severe tree pollen allergy may want to participate only in indoor activities during SNOT season.

Shower – When you come home… have a shower. Rinse your hair and change your clothing.   Pollen will settle on your clothes and in your hair. it will reduce the amount of pollen you are bringing into your home, on your sofa, and particularly into your bed.

Clothing – Do not leave clothing outside, and do not dry clothes outside during the pollen season.

Soon the “2nd season of spring” will be over and then we can look forward to the 3rd and last season of spring… “SUCK“.