Outsmart pollen and allergies

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Sometimes, being crafty has a slightly different meaning. Another common understanding of the term is to be clever…possibly to outsmart someone or something. As we usher in springtime, I present you with an alternative crafty…How to outsmart pollen and allergies.

Inspired by 1,801 Home Remedies – Trustworthy Treatments for Everyday Health Problems, a Reader’s Digest publication, 2004

Stay indoors, with the windows closed and the air conditioner turned on to filter out pollen, especially in the early evening, when pollen counts hit their peak.

Take shelter inside before a thunderstorm – and up to three hours afterward. Storms are preceded by high humidity, which makes pollen grains swell, burst, and release their irritating starch.

When you have to go out, wear wraparound sunglasses to keep the pollen away from your eyes.

Face masks work wonders against pollen!

You can also protect yourself outdoors with a “pollen trap.” Dab a little petroleum jelly under your nose—trap spores that are wafting around before they land in your nostrils.

When you’re in a car, keep the windows closed. Turn on the air conditioner to filter out the pollen and choose the “recirculate” setting so you don’t pull in pollinated air.

Wash your hair prior to going to bed so you don’t transmit a headful of dust and pollen to your pillow.

Prevent and remove dust mites in your home by using allergen repelling covers for your mattress, box spring, and pillows.

Change your sheets once a week and wash them in hot water to kill dust mites.

Try out eating honey made in your area! A remedy that’s been tested by the U.S. Army, and deemed effective is eating local honey, and chewing the beeswax it comes in.

If prevention doesn’t work, soothing measures might!

To soothe red, itchy, swollen eyes, dampen a washcloth with cool water and place it over your eyes. Repeat as often as necessary.

Saline nasal sprays are time-tested mucus-busters and can also help to keep your nasal passages moisturized. However, a recent study shows that some commercially made sprays contain a preservative that can actually damage the cells of your sinuses, so it may be safer to make your own. Remember to be diligent about cleaning and sterilizing nasal rinse items!

Add a humidifier to your room to help relieve nasal congestion and stuffiness!