Spring weather brings sunny skies and beautiful flowers, but it also means pollen is in the air. As a result, many people with allergies find themselves staying inside instead of enjoying the outdoors. However, pollen can also make its way into your home, making it more difficult for you to find relief. While you can get many over-the-counter solutions at the pharmacy, the following guide can help you reduce the amount of pollen in your home and mitigate symptoms.

What Are the Symptoms of a Pollen Allergy?

Allergy symptoms typically begin within an hour of being exposed to pollen. Some people experience them after being outdoors for a long time, but others will notice these effects after a few minutes of exposure outside or inside the home. 

Common symptoms include a runny nose, nasal congestion, itchiness around the nose, and sneezing. You may also notice itchy, red, or watery eyes. 

People with this allergy also often experience coughing, headaches, and fatigue. These symptoms are more prominent during the spring, when many flowers are blooming and pollen becomes airborne.

How Can You Keep Pollen Out of Your Home?

Pollen has to enter your home from the outdoors. Although it’s tempting to open your windows every morning, keep them closed as much as you can to prevent pollen from being blown inside. 

Have everyone wipe their shoes on an outdoor mat before entering your home. By placing a shoe rack or mat right inside the front door, you can encourage people to remove their shoes. 

Put a coat rack near the entrance and ask anyone entering to hang their jackets as soon as they get inside, as these can carry pollen on them as well. If you have any dogs, you should brush or hose them off before coming in from walks.

Regular cleaning can also keep pollen from spreading through your home. Vacuum carpets and rugs in high-traffic areas at least twice a week and once weekly for less frequented spots. These surfaces absorb pollen, which is kicked into the air every time someone walks on them. 

Steam cleaning your carpets and rugs once or twice during the spring can remove deep-set pollen and other allergens. Empty your vacuum bags and containers outside to avoid sending pollen back into the indoor air. 

If you need over-the-counter allergy solutions to deal with springtime pollen, visit Hickman’s Pharmacy in Princeton, WV. This pharmacy carries a wide variety of OTC and prescription medications to help you manage your seasonal allergies. The knowledgeable staff helps customers throughout southern West Virginia find the right products for their symptoms. Visit their website to learn more about their services, or call the pharmacy at (304) 425-2188 with any questions.