When the beautiful, pink and white cherry blossoms start to bloom in Vancouver, this time of year also coincides with the start of allergy season. Sometimes known as hay fever, outdoor allergies are a result of an immune system that is overly sensitive to certain grass and tree pollens. If you’re sneezing, have watery or itchy eyes, nasal congestion or a dripping or runny nose during this beautiful time of year, you are probably one of the 33% of Canadians who suffers from hay fever.
With help from REACTINE®, Modern Mix Vancouver has put together a list of 5 practical tips for managing the effects of your Hay Fever, so you can continue enjoy the beauty of Vancouver’s cherry blossoms and other outdoor activities:
Plan Ahead: Check pollen counts (there’s a pollen forecast at reactine.ca) and plan activities accordingly. On most days, early morning, late afternoon and evening are when pollen concentrations are lowest. When pollen counts are particularly high, it may be best to stay indoors or drive outdoors rather than walking.
Wear Eye Protection: If you are a contact lens wearer, it may be best to switch to glasses during this time of year. If it’s sunny out, you can wear sunglasses to shield your eyes not only from the sun, but to prevent pollen from blowing into your eyes.
Close Your Windows: Even when you are inside, you may still suffer from the effects of hay fever. Keep windows closed to prevent pollen from entering your home. If it feels stuffy indoors, turn on a fan instead.
Stay Clean: Change clothes, shower, and wash your hair when coming in from outdoors. Take extra care to house-clean, sweep, vacuum and dust at this time of year.
Track your symptoms: Keep an allergy diary to track your activities, and time of day when symptoms occur. You can then analyze your results and identify patterns which will help you develop specific allergy management strategies.
Keep REACTINE® Handy: If you still feel like your allergies are acting up, be sure to keep a box of Reactine in your purse for quick acting and non-drowsy relief from your allergy symptoms
For more information about how REACTINE® can help you manage your allergy symptoms, visit Reactine.ca. Stay tuned next week on Modern Mix Vancouver for tips on how to accommodate for a house guest who is allergic to your pet dog.
This post was sponsored by the makers of REACTINE®. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
One Response
I have suffered the spring tree pollen for over 40 years. Your suggestions are anti-life, trying to get us to hide from the environment in a cocoon fed by proprietary medicines. While getting severe head cold symptoms the first couple of days, 1 gm of Ester C (long lasting) morning and evening relieves it right away and continues throughout Spring. With occasional eye itching, bathing my eyes with cotton soaked in chamomile tea handles it very well.