The Real Culprit Behind Your Seasonal Sneezing
If you’ve ever suffered from itchy, watery sneezing bouts in the spring and asked yourself the question, “Why do I sneeze so much in the spring?”, you’re not alone. Hay fever, as it’s called, affects nearly 20 million American adults ever year, and is often the result of different trees releasing their pollen into the air starting in early spring. While this pollen is more or less what causes seasonal allergies, other factors can exacerbate its effects–especially in indoor areas.
How to Deal with Seasonal Allergies
It doesn’t take much for pollen to drift into the home, where it mingles with other allergens and compounds its effects. This is why allergy-proofing your home in late winter can help you combat pollenating trees when the time comes.
Of course, pollen counts may be better or worse depending on where you live. Below is a list of tree species known for their high pollen counts, as provided by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America:
- Alder
- Ash
- Aspen
- Beech
- Birch
- Box elder
- Cedar
- Cottonwood
- Elm
- Hickory
- Mountain elder
- Mulberry
- Oak
- Olive
- Pecan
- Poplar
- Willow
That means that if you live in an area with a high concentration of any of these trees, your seasonal allergies are much likely to be worse.
However, there are some steps you can take to reduce the amount of pollen that gets trapped in your home, as well as combat dust mites, mold, or other household allergens that might be keeping you from seasonal allergy relief. Read on to learn more about how to clean pollen from the home and fight other common household allergens.
Keep It Cool and Dry Inside
Keeping your windows closed throughout spring might seem counterintuitive, but it’s your best bet for reducing the amount of pollen that gets in your house. You can also take it one step further by removing shoes and the like outside (such as in the garage).
But there’s another advantage to creating a cool and dry atmosphere inside: mold and fungi don’t do as well in these kinds of conditions. On the contrary, warm, humid environments create the perfect breeding grounds for these allergens, which will definitely make any existing seasonal allergies worse.
Dust with Purpose
Pollen, like dust, can be swept away and cleaned up through routine dusting. The trick, though, is to use the right materials to ensure the cleanest sweep. We love using damp microfiber mops or cloths that trap pollen instead of merely pushing it around.
Dust every other day if you live in high-pollen areas, and always go from top to bottom. Don’t forget haard-to-reach places, either, such as ceiling fans, windowsills, blinds, and even curtains.
Clear the Air
Don’t forget to check the status of your air filter, either. While it may often be one of the most overlooked aspects of home maintenance, a well-functioning air filter can make a world of difference when it comes to reducing home allergens.
Look for high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters with the appropriate clean air delivery rate (CADR) for whichever room you’re looking to allergy-proof. If your home has a central air and heating system, you will likely need to discuss your options with an HVAC professional, as there are multiple factors to take into consideration when choosing the right home air filtration system.
Leave the Sneezin’ Behind This Season
Don’t think you’re doomed to runny noses and itchy, watery eyes this spring–there are plenty of steps you can take to allergy-proof your home and help you find seasonal allergy relief. With the right air filters, indoor temperatures, and dusting routine, you can make seasonal sneezing a thing of the past. Thanks for reading and check back regularly for new updates!
