September 17, 2021

Good Morning,

I absolutely love when the leaves change and they fall, as well as the fact that fall means Halloween! However, I know that is not the case with everyone!

This season not only brings football, cooler temperatures and holidays, but also those dreaded allergies. Allergies can cause sneezing, runny or stuffy noses, itchy throats and ears, itchy eyes and even hives. They can even aggravate asthma symptoms as well, making this time of the year not as pleasant for some people. Hay fever is a high culprit of cause for these symptoms, but definitely not the only thing that can cause allergies to go crazy.

Below are a few ways to tackle those allergies inside your home so that you can start enjoying fall again!

Regards,
Steve

Questions? Comments? Email Steve

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*-- Tips for Tackling Fall Allergies --*

First things first, check your weather daily. The weather channel or their website will tell you the pollen count for your area based on your zip code. If it's really high, make sure to restrict what you're doing outside. If you want to go out, try to do it in the middle of the day when the pollen levels are at their lowest. If you have to go out at other times of the day, when you get home, make sure to put your clothes in the washer and take a shower to make sure that any pollen attached to you won't spread in your home.

If you have a pet, make sure to bathe them or at least rinse them off, more often to make sure they're not spreading pollen in the house.

Make sure to vacuum your floors regularly. This will help remove any allergens that may be trapped inside your home. If possible, get a vacuum with a double-sealed HEPA filter. This will prevent the dirt and allergens from being blown back out into your environment if they get trapped into the vacuum.

This is a no brainer. Make sure to change your furnace and air conditioning filters every 3 months (or as directed by the brand you're using). Take the time to clean the furnace and air conditioner at the end of each season as well if possible. HEPA filters are great, they can remove at least 99% of pollen from the air in your home. HEPA filters are not cheap, but depending on what you need for your home, there are some alternatives for less expensive prices. Check with your local hardware store for best comparisons.

Run an air purifier during peak allergy months (or all year long if you or someone in your house has more severe breathing issues, or if you just want to). This will help to circulate any pollen out of the air that may be brought into your home, as well as pet dander, mold spores and even dust.

Keep in mind there is medication you can take to help alleviate these symptoms and the ideas above are really for people who prefer not to take the medication and want to find a more natural way to handle the allergies.

It may seem like a lot of this is "Stay Indoors" but honestly, that's not the case. Below are some facts that can help you to determine the best time to be out and about during this season!

- Rain washes pollen away, but remember that pollen counts can soar after a rainfall, so watch the counts, but enjoy the wash away while it lasts!

- On a day with no wind, airborne allergens are grounded so breathing is easier for you!

- Ragweed pollen, a huge culprit of allergies, as well as tree and grass pollen thrive during cool nights and warm days. So remember that if the temperature stays cool the next day, allergies are going to be easier to deal with!

- Sometimes bonfires, or even fireplaces, can cause allergies due to the pollen being attached to the wood. However if you stay out of the direct smoke from the fire and in the opposite direction of the wind, you should be able to enjoy a bonfire during the fall months!