8 Tips for Managing Spring Allergy and Asthma Flare-ups

Here in New England, winters can be long and gray, so when the warmer temperatures and bright colors of spring begin to arrive, you’re quite understandably eager to get outside. But if you’re an allergy sufferer or you have asthma, you probably already know that those beautiful blooms are wolves in sheep’s clothing, armed with an army of pollen.

At Arlington Family Practice, the team of providers want to ensure that our patients are able to safely enjoy this season of renewal. To that end, we’ve pulled together eight tips that will keep your allergies and asthma in check this spring.

1. Get ahead of the game

One of the best ways to manage your allergies and asthma is to ensure that you’re well-prepared medically for the onslaught of irritants. We recommend that you begin taking your allergy medications at the first signs of budding plants, or even a couple of weeks before, rather than waiting until spring is in full swing.

2. Timing is everything

Pollen counts are highest between 5am and 10am, so maybe bump your morning run to the evening and steer clear of outdoor activities during these early- to mid-morning hours.

3. Pollen counts

Just as weather forecasters provide us with windchill factors during the winter, many offer up pollen counts with their spring weather reports. If your local station doesn’t offer this service, there are plenty of apps that do, making your smartphone very smart indeed.

4. The air you breathe

When you’re in your car or in your home, try to use air conditioning or air recirculation to preserve your pollen-free spaces. You can also double up your protection by using air filters that are specifically made to trap spring irritants.

5. Get help

While yardwork in the spring seems like a walk in the park after shoveling snow, you’d do well to hire someone for the mowing and trimming. If you do want flex your green thumb, wear a mask anytime you’re kicking up pollen. And if your child has asthma or spring allergies, keep them indoors when you’re doing any yardwork.

6. Protective gear

When you head outdoors, wear a hat and sunglasses. The hat keeps you from trapping pollen in your hair, and the sunglasses protect your sensitive eyes.

7. Night cleanup

If you’re used to jumping out of bed and hitting the showers in the morning, switch this routine so you shower at the end of the day. By showering before you go to bed, or when you come in from the outdoors, you can wash off any pollen you’ve collected throughout the day.

8. Come and see us

If spring is still getting the best of you, allergy-wise, please come in to see us so we can adjust your medications and make any necessary changes to your allergy management plan. We can also try new therapies, such as immunotherapy, to see if that helps you better weather the spring season.

If you have any questions about managing your allergies or asthma flare-ups, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Or you can use the online scheduling tool to set up an appointment.