How to Avoid Pollen ----TIPS----

People with pollen allergies should avoid exposure to pollen. Here are a few helpful tips to avoid pollen:

Stay indoors and keep windows closed during high pollen counts.
Wash hair before going to bed at night to avoid sleeping in pollen that accumulated in the hair during the day.
Dry laundry inside rather than outside where it can accumulate pollen.
Let someone else cut the grass and do yard work.
Take vacations at the beach rather than in the mountains where there is an abundance of pollen.
Make sure outdoor pets are bathed before coming inside, and distributing pollen on carpets and furniture.

1. full relief.
2. If you have air conditioning in your home, car and workplace -- use it! Keep your windows in all these places shut during peak pollen and allergy seasons that affect you. When in your car, make sure you use the recirculate function (vent for outside air is closed), otherwise you will be bringing allergens into the car.
3. Avoid time spent outside during the peak pollen hours of 5 - 10 AM. If you must be outside, try to limit the time spent and avoid going out on windy days if possible.
   Warm, dry and windy days are worst for allergies. These conditions allow pollen to stay airborne longer, increasing the amounts you come in contact with.
4. When outside, especially when doing yardwork (like mowing the lawn), use a dust mask and close-fitting goggles to keep allergens out of your nose and eyes. You can purchase these at places like Lowes and Home Depot.
5. Before coming back into the house after being outside, shake your head and brush yourself off. This will get some of the pollen and other allergens out of your hair and off your clothes, minimizing what you bring into the home.
   Once inside, wash your face, hands and arms to remove pollen that might be stuck on areas of exposed like your skin. This will keep you from inadvertently moving pollen into your eyes and/or nose.
6. Make sure you drink plenty of water.  This will help your body flush the allergens from your system. This is especially true of your eyes. If you are properly hydrated, your eyes can tear more easily, washing pollen dust from your eyes and minimizing irritation. Moisturize eye drops like those under the Visine and Clear Eyes brands can also help in this regard.
7. If you have pets, keep them indoors as much as possible during high pollen season. Their hair and fur will trap pollens and bring them into your home, increasing your exposure.

A resource for pollen allergies is the pollen counting centers scattered across the nation. These stations gather, count and analyze pollen to determine what plants and trees are pollinating, and how severe local allergies will be for that day. There are many places online, like pollen.com where you can access daily pollen count reports.