Spring is on its way, and due to an unusually warm winter, allergy season is coming early this year. In fact, for some of you, it may have already started. Here are a few things you can do around the house to keep them from driving you crazy.


If you have serious allergies, we recommend talking to your doctor about a higher strength medication, or even a round of allergy shots. However, if your allergies are just mildly annoying and your over-the-counter pills just aren't quite cutting it, here are a few other things you can try.

Know What You're Allergic To

This may seem obvious to you, but the first step in preventing allergy symptoms is knowing what you're allergic to—even if it's in a very general sense. For example, mold allergies tend to be worse in the fall, when things are damp, and dust mite allergies tend to center around summer and fall. Pollen allergies can happen anywhere from Spring to Fall, so if your allergies come early in the year (and sometimes last for most of the year), pollen is probably the culprit. For more specific information, see an allergist, but if you can narrow things down a little bit, it can help you fine tune these tips for more effective prevention.


Clean Your Home Regularly

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Whether you keep your windows open or bring them in on your clothes, allergens like pollen and dust can quickly build up on the surfaces in your home. So, make sure you're extra diligent about cleaning: mop the floors, wipe down your counters, and vacuum your carpets. If you can use a vacuum with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter, says WebMD, you'll pick up a lot more of those allergens on your carpet. You can also get a HEPA-equipped air purifier to clear some of the air in your home. Photo by Ivy Dawned.

Keep Dirty Clothes Out of Sight, and Do Laundry Often


Your house may be clean, but those allergens will still lock onto your clothes like none other. Redditor thatwasntveryraven recommends keeping your dirty laundry far away from your bedroom. In fact, the farther away you keep it from your regular living space, the better. In apartments, this is tough, but if you have a house, that means the basement might be a good place to keep it (and if you already have your washer and dryer down there, all the better). If possible, you might even consider keeping some clothes handy to change into as soon as you get home, and throwing your pollen-covered clothes in the hamper right away. Photo by Amboo Who?.

Exercise and Shower in the Evening

Redditor thats_what_she_said_ (who inspired this post) suggested showering in the evening to alleviate allergy symptoms while you sleep. Michelle Hernandez, assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunity at the UNC School of Medicine backs this up: showering in the evening gets rid of the residual pollen in your hair and on your face, and thus keeps you from breathing it in all night long. Similarly, she says, try to keep from going outside in the morning, when pollen levels are the highest. That means if you like to exercise outside, try doing it in the evening instead (after all, you're showering at night too). Alternatively, you can exercise indoors, whether that means using a treadmill or just creating your own gym at home.


Keep Allergens from Getting Into Your Home


Lastly, even though you're cleaning regularly, you'll want to prevent those allergens from entering your home as much as possible. Keep your windows closed as much as possible, and if your house gets too warm, it's probably worth running the A/C for a little while to keep pollen from coming in through the windows. If you're allergic to mold, ABC News notes that a dehumidifier will help keep that mold growth at bay (as will those regular cleanings, especially of wet areas like the bathroom). While you're at it, make sure your house is clear of other things that may exacerbate your allergies, like smoke, animal hair, and products with lots of fragrance in them (like perfume). Photo by Glasseyes View.

If your allergies are mild enough, attention to detail may be all you need to keep them from bothering you this season. However, like we said, you should consider this an addition to an over-the-counter pill or nasal spray of your allergies are more frustrating. Consult your doctor if you want to tackle the problem head on, and if you have lots of experience with allergies, be sure to share your tips with us in the comments.


Title photo by 4736202690 (Shutterstock).