8 Ways To Outsmart Your Allergies

Allergies aren't just for springtime. See other surprising seasonal triggers and how to stay well all year long.

May 22, 2013
An extended sneezin' season

Think allergies end in April or May? Guess again.

Those sneezy, itchy-eyed, congested months can last well into late fall, as different trees, then grasses and, finally, weeds bombard the air with pollen. If that weren't irritating enough, outdoor mold starts to release airborne spores starting in summer and continuing through fall, which can cause further irritation. In fact, reactions to mold (fungi that thrive in warm, moist, humid climates both outdoors and in) as well as ragweed may be even more of a problem in certain parts of the country this summer because of heavier-than-usual rainfall. 

If you're sneezing like crazy, don't just wait for a drop in the temperature to stamp out your allergy misery. Here's how to stay outside, active, and virtually symptom free—all allergy season long. (In addition to visiting our Allergy Center, of course.)

1. Rethink your exercise plan

You breathe harder and suck in more air when you're exercising than when you're, say, watching TV. The more air you inhale, the more airborne pollen and mold spores you suck in too. That's why it's important to take your workout indoors when your allergies are acting up or on days with very high pollen or mold counts. Click here for daily local levels

Love walking or running outside? You don't have to give it up entirely, but try to minimize your exposure. To help ease symptoms, take a nondrowsy antihistamine before you exercise or plan to spend significant time outdoors. Pick a path that's less likely to expose you to allergens—walk on a school track, for example, instead of through your tree-lined neighborhood. And steer clear of major roads and highways. Chemical irritants from exhaust can worsen allergy symptoms, says Malcolm N. Blumenthal, MD, director of the Asthma and Allergy Program at the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis. (These nine habits also make allergies worse.)

2. Watch for nonseasonal allergies

The more allergens you're exposed to at a given time, the higher your allergenic load and the worse your symptoms. If you're allergic to cats and dust mites in addition to pollen and mold, for example, visiting a cat-owning friend on a summer evening can make that load virtually unbearable. Here are some tips to help you limit your exposure to these top offenders: 

Dust mites. Cover flooring with washable throw rugs instead of carpets, which, like blankets, down comforters, and curtains, are favorite mite habitats. Launder rugs, bed linens and curtains in hot water (more than 130°F) to kill mites. Dust often with a damp cloth. Get zippered, allergyproof covers for your mattress and pillows.

Dog and cat dander. If pet owners come to visit, be sure to vacuum couches or chairs they've used after they leave. Their clothes may carry their furry friends' dander, which can be deposited in your home and aggravate symptoms.

Indoor mold. Get a dehumidifier to dry out your basement, and use exhaust fans in other areas prone to dampness and mold, such as the kitchen and bathroom. Wash bath mats often, and keep houseplants to a minimum (mold loves potting soil).

3. Be a clothes snob

Shun synthetic materials for natural ones like cotton—your nose and eyes will thank you. When synthetic fabrics rub against one another, they create an electrical charge that attracts pollen, which, as it turns out, is also electrically charged, says Gailen D. Marshall, MD, PhD, director of clinical immunology and the division of allergy at the University of Mississippi. Natural fibers such as cotton also breathe better, so they stay drier and less hospitable to moisture-loving mold. 

Toss just-washed clothes and bedding in the dryer—don't hang them outside on a clothing line. Avoid contacts when your eyes feel itchy, and feel free to splurge on a pair of jumbo sunglasses—they'll help shield your peepers from airborne irritants.

4. Get smart about gardening

Got killer allergies? The best way to deal with yard work is to have someone else do it. Failing that...

Take an antihistamine or cromolyn sodium about half an hour before you head outdoors, and wear a pollen mask whenever you dig around in dirt, rake leaves, or mow the lawn—activities is all but guaranteed to stir up pollen and mold. Keep your lawn cut short, so it's less likely to sprout pollen-producing flowers or weeds. If you have a compost heap—a major mold breeding ground—consider getting rid of it or moving it far away from the house. 

Finally, consider replacing plants that produce lots of offending pollen with more benign varieties. Rules of green thumb: Choose showy, flowering trees and shrubs such as apple and cherry trees and azaleas; they produce waxy pollen that's too heavy to ride the breeze. On the lawn, opt for nonpollinating ground cover such as myrtle or ivy rather than grass. (Check out Prevention's guide to gardening, here.)

5. Give yourself a good scrubbing

Showering more often may keep allergy invasions at bay. While you're outside, pollen and mold spores can parachute onto your hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, and skin. To give them the boot and minimize your exposure, do the following once you cross the threshold: Wash your hands, rinse your eyes, and shower (before bed, or right away if you've done yard work). 

Same goes for your pet. Even if you're not allergic to your pup, he can become an allergy magnet after running around outdoors. Brush off his fur before you give him free reign of the house again.

6. Consider a stronger treatment

OTC meds like antihistamines and decongestants can significantly relieve symptoms, but if your nose is still running, it may be time for an upgrade. Ask your doctor about a steroid nasal spray, which relieves these symptoms better than an antihistamine, says David Shulan, MD, FAAAI, vice president of Certified Allergy & Asthma Consultants, a practice in Albany, NY. The catch: You need to use it on a regular basis, and it can take up to 2 weeks to have an effect. A spritz every once in a while is useless, Shulan says. 

If pollen, ragweed, or dust mites are your main problem, think about getting allergy shots (immunotherapy). Injections of very small, safe amounts of the chemicals you're allergic to will help your immune system become resistant to the allergens, so your body doesn't launch a full-out attack every time you inhale a pollen particle. You get shots once or twice a week for several months in gradually increasing doses, and periodic maintenance shots after that for 3 to 5 years. 

"Not enough people who could benefit from allergy shots consider them," says John R. Cohn, MD, chief of the adult allergy section at Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University. "They may help if you don't respond to usual treatments because they reduce your sensitivity to allergens instead of only treating symptoms. I find that about 80% of patients see an 80% improvement." Unfortunately, the shots are not as effective for most mold allergies, says Shulan.

More from Prevention: The Allergy Doc You Aren't Seeing—But Should

7. Sip green tea

The wonder cup just got even more wonderful. Yep, heart-healthy, cancer-quashing green tea may battle allergies too. Japanese researchers found that EGCG, the abundant antioxidant compound in green tea, may help stop your body from mounting an immune response to a wide range of allergens, including pollen, pet dander, and dust. Steeping two or three cups a day of green tea helps bolster the body's defenses, especially as you age, suggests Lester A. Mitscher, PhD, a professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Kansas and author of The Green Tea Book: China's Fountain of Youth.

More from Prevention: The Healthiest Tea Is...

8. Give yoga a go

Weave yoga into your workout plan, and you can say namaste to your allergies.

"Stress promotes inflammation, which can heighten your body's allergic response," says Tina Sindwani, MD, an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the University of California at San Francisco. "Yoga is proven to reduce stress, so it may bring relief. Also, various yoga breathing techniques can help open your stuffed-up nasal passages, and certain poses can expand your lungs." Take a class or do a DVD up to three times a week during allergy season. (Get specifics on how to attack allergies with yoga.)