Allergies in Full Swing with Spring!

Well we got through April!! Quite the month with its highs and lows, but spring is finally here! All of my spring flowers are gracing my yards. What a riot of colours they are. It is one of my favourite times of year! This is a renewal after a long winter. How wonderful it is to chuck your boots and winter coats deep into the closets until much later this year!! So how are your allergies going?? Are they in full swing as the pollen count rises? Is pollen-ladened dust driving you crazy? Are you congested, having swollen sinuses, and headaches? Is there no relief at home or work? Here are a few simple ideas to help especially in your home environment.

Do you have hardwood floor or carpets? If you have carpets, vacuum these at least twice a week if possible. If not, then at least weekly will cut down on some of the pollen & dust which are major triggers for people with allergies. Mop your floors at least weekly through the height of your allergy reactions. This is especially important in your bedroom!
Many people with allergies use a neti pot to help clear nasal passages. If you do not have one, or dislike the effects i.e. dripping from your nose for quite a while afterwards, then just use a saline nasal spray. These are found at any pharmacy. They can be used several times per day to cut back on the nasal irritants.
If you have an air purifier on your furnace or as separate units throughout your house, these will help as well. Remember to rinse the filters out periodically. An air purifier in your bedroom would be particularly beneficial.
Turn and vacuum both sides of your mattress. Do this often during the period of your worst allergy reactions. Have a hypo allergenic cover on your mattress. If your mattress is very old it might be time to replace it. Don’t forget about your pillows. Are they very old? Do they have a protective allergy cover? Is it time to replace these as well?
Vacuum out the vents to your ductwork. You can get all of your ducts professionally cleaned. This would be particularly important if you have done any renovations, or if it was a new home. If you have a boiler and have radiators, make sure that they get vacuumed once in a while too!
If there is mold in your home, try your best to get rid of this. If it is a small area then do it yourself, however if larger, get this done professionally. Remember to wear a mask and gloves when having anything to do with mold.
If you react to your pet, try to keep them out of your bedroom if possible. If it is not possible, then have a separate dog/cat bed for them and encourage them to use this.
Try to eat healthy foods when it is allergy season for you. Your body is struggling enough during these times. Plan on cutting down on sugars, and instead reach for some sweet fruit to calm that sweet tooth.
Use cleaners with only natural products in them. There are many simple cleaners that have been popping up on my website, so they are readily available.