Yellow Dawn
Coping With Pollen Season
Pretty soon we will see a yellow haze and glaze on everything outside, including cars, lawn furniture and yellow rain puddles. Yes, pollen season is near and you need to be ready!
Spring is right around the corner, and like every year, I am caught off guard. Yes, all excited about the warm weather, the upcoming Easter celebrations and outdoor fun! Then I get hit with a wallop of sneezing, running nose, red itchy eyes and nose, and sometimes wheezing.
Commonly referred to as “Hay Fever”, this allergic reaction to tree, weed, and grass pollen can stop you in your tracks and make you want to batten down the hatches and stay inside…which is the LAST thing you want to do in the beautiful spring weather, right?
…and don’t forget those events we want and need to show up at, like loved one’s sports games and practices! Baseball, soccer, football, tennis…the list goes on and on.
Did you know that some tree pollens can even cross react when exposed with certain foods you are eating? This is known as oral allergy syndrome (OAS) (1). It’s partly due to a protein found in some nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Your immune system cannot tell the difference and can result in itching or swelling in your mouth or face, or in rare cases cause a severe reaction, like anaphylaxis.
Don’t let pollen ruin your spring season! Now look, I know pollen is a necessary evil to spring, and it is a preceding ESSENTIAL to bring forth all the things we love about this long-awaited season. Just think of the beautiful and colorful array of flowers that pop up to greet us, and the gorgeous tree blooms that explode on the branches covering their bleak, dark nakedness that we’ve been seeing all winter long. That is all made possible by this tiny, powdery, yellow substance. Talk about a love/hate relationship, huh?!? 😉
We must accept pollen, for good or for bad, but don’t allow it to deny you from enjoying the beauty it brings forth. Let me share a few things I do to better cope with this portion of the season, so you can get outdoors and enjoy God’s magnificent creation:
Start taking allergy medicine before the pollen comes. Some of them take a few days to kick in, so don’t play catch-up or be caught off-guard. (speak to your doctor about the right one for you and also the best time to take it, some have higher antihistamine levels and are best taken at night)
Take an allergy test! Maybe consider having it done if you suffer strong symptoms that keep you from enjoying outdoor life during this time. A certified test can pinpoint which allergens are causing your reaction(s) and you can better have a plan of action and discuss with your doctor on options of treatment.
Know your surroundings. We all come from different areas of the country or world. Tree species can vary and the time of year they produce pollen. Research when and what types produce pollen the most in your region and be better prepared. This website can be helpful in keeping up with pollen counts in your area: National Allergy Bureau
When pollen comes, don’t bring it in the house! Generally, in the spring, I save most of my outdoor activities for the end of day. If I enjoyed an outdoor stroll through the neighborhood, I like to remove my jacket or outer clothing, or change clothes all-together before plopping down on the sofa. Even your hair collects pollen, so it’s best to shower at the end of each day as to not contaminate your inside surroundings.
Pet hair can collect pollen also, so be careful where your sweet little pooch sits (keep off the sofa and bed please!) Also, take caution after petting, not to touch your eyes or nose to cause a reaction. Some extra doggie baths this season won’t hurt either. 😉
Wear sunglasses or eyewear on outside walks to help prevent eye irritation.
Do not dry clothes or linens outdoors during this time.
Do not ride in your car with windows down. Use your A/C on recirculation. Same goes for your house windows, keep them shut, (or you’ll end up with yellow furniture and stuffy noses!) Be sure to change out your house filter after pollen season ends.
Try using a neti pot or nasal irrigation spray. During spring, if I’m outdoors for a good bit of time, I definitely use a nasal rinse at the end of the day. Here are some instructions on using a neti pot from Healthline.com: Find here
