How to Prepare for Allergy Season
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Seasonal allergies are triggered by pollen and environmental allergens. -
Preparing early can help reduce symptom severity. -
Reducing exposure is key to managing symptoms -
Treatments like FLONASE can help relieve multiple allergy symptoms
Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever, can start before you even notice symptoms. Preparing early can help to reduce sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy, watery eyes and sinus pressure.
This guide covers:
- What causes seasonal allergies
- When allergy season starts
- How to help with seasonal allergies before symptoms begin
When is Allergy Season and What Causes It?
Seasonal allergies occur when your immune system reacts to airborne allergens like pollen.
The timing of allergy season varies depending on where you live, but generally, allergies peak around three major times of the year:
- Spring, which is peak tree pollen season
- Summer, when grass pollen is most prevalent
- Fall, where ragweed pollen is the main culprit for most allergies1
In some regions, allergy symptoms can last throughout most of the year, so it’s important to be aware of your surrounding allergen triggers. Read more about spring, summer and fall pollen seasons, or watch our video for more tips:
Signs You Should Start Preparing Now
Many people wait until their symptoms hit, but starting early is key to curbing seasonal allergies so they aren’t as bothersome.
Common early symptoms of seasonal allergies include:
- Sneezing or runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Itchy eyes, nose, or throat
- Postnasal drip
- Fatigue from poor sleep
Recognizing these early signs can help you start treatment sooner and reduce symptom severity.
Preparing for Allergy Season: A Quick Checklist
Getting ahead of allergy season starts with a few simple steps. Following a pre-season checklist can help reduce exposure to common triggers and minimize symptoms before they begin, especially before those peak pollen levels.
Pre-Season Allergy Prep Checklist:
✓ Research allergy medication before your symptoms begin
✓ Track local pollen counts1
✓ Keep windows closed during high pollen days
✓ Change your air filters regularly
✓ Wash bedding frequently
More Ways to Help Manage Seasonal Allergies
If you’re looking for ways to help with seasonal allergies beyond basics, these additional strategies can help reduce exposure, manage symptoms and support daily comfort throughout allergy season.
These tips are especially helpful if you experience persistent symptoms or are managing airborne triggers like pollen, dust or ragweed.
1. STOCK UP ON ALLERGY MEDICINE IN ADVANCE
Choosing the best allergy symptom management for you:
- Look for treatments that target multiple symptoms
- Consider nasal sprays for congestion relief
- Keep symptom relief on hand when you need it
Be ready to start your allergy medication as soon as your symptoms begin.
Go through your medicine cabinet, check packaging and labels, and toss anything past its expiration date. Be sure you’re using an allergy product that targets your symptoms, too, for effective relief. For example, many allergy pills don’t combat nasal congestion*, whereas FLONASE nasal sprays are designed to relieve the worst allergy symptoms, including sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, and a runny nose, plus nasal congestion, providing 24-hour all-in-one allergy relief.**
*Single-ingredient antihistamines do not treat nasal congestion.
**Flonase Sensimist is indicated for itchy, watery eyes in adults and children 12 years of age and older.
2. REDUCE YOUR EXPOSURE TO POLLEN
One of the most effective ways to help with seasonal allergies is to reduce your exposure to pollen. Plan to keep windows and doors shut on days with high pollen counts and avoid hanging laundry outside to dry.3 If you suffer from summer allergies, make sure your air conditioning unit is fitted with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to help trap allergens from the air.4
Wearing a hat and sunglasses when you head outside will also limit the amount of pollen that blows into your eyes.5 Plus, they’ll protect you from harmful UV rays at the same time. You may even want to consider wearing a dust mask if pollen counts are particularly high and you need to spend time outdoors.4
3. START WATCHING LOCAL POLLEN REPORTS
Keep an eye on local pollen counts1, so you’ll know exactly when allergy season kicks off in your area. You can also monitor which days will have higher pollen levels and schedule indoor activities for then.
Why does tracking pollen counts matter?
- Helps you to plan outdoor activities
- Alerts you to high-exposure days
- Allows you to start treatment or pre-treatment prep at the right time
It’s also worth checking the weather forecast – dry, windy days usually have higher pollen counts, whereas rain tends to clear pollen from the air.2
4. SPRING CLEAN YOUR GARDEN BEFORE PEAK POLLEN SEASON
Try to complete your essential gardening before your seasonal allergies properly kick in. Clear away dead leaves or plants to limit mold growth if this triggers your allergies or remove plants such as ragweed that are common allergens. You could also schedule your gardening time for later in the day, rather than in the early morning when pollen counts are highest.2
5. ADD MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES TO YOUR DIET
Fruits and vegetables are powerful sources of antioxidants6 and natural chemicals that can help you to fight the inflammation that comes with allergic reactions.7
Try adding foods like these to your diet in the lead-up to allergy season:
- Leafy greens
- Berries
- Citrus fruits
- Vegetables rich in antioxidants6
However, note that certain foods contain proteins like those found in ragweed, a common fall allergen, so if you’re allergic to ragweed pollen, avoid eating bananas, melons, honey, chamomile tea and sunflower seeds as they could worsen your symptoms.8
6. STOCK UP ON GREEN TEA
Green tea contains natural antihistamines that can assist in your fight against allergies—and a steaming hot cup of tea soothes a scratchy throat and loosens mucus at the same time.9
Some explore green tea allergy treatment as a complementary option to traditional medicine due to its beneficial natural compounds.
7. CONSIDER A VACATION
If your allergies are unbearable at a certain time of year, why not schedule a vacation then and head to an area with lower pollen levels? For example, ragweed grows throughout the United States but is much more common in some areas than others. Need inspiration? Check out the five best U.S. cities for avoiding pollen.
Get Ahead This Allergy Season
Don’t wait for symptoms to start. Preparing early and choosing the right treatment can help you manage seasonal allergies more effectively, so you can stay comfortable all season long with options like FLONASE.
FAQs About Seasonal Allergies
Sources:
- American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Seasonal Allergies. https://acaai.org/allergies/seasonal-allergies. Accessed August 21, 2019.
- Mayo Clinic. Seasonal allergies: Nip them in the bud. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/in-depth/seasonal-allergies/art-20048343. Accessed August 22, 2019.
- American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Allergic Rhinitis. https://acaai.org/allergies/types/hay-fever-rhinitis. Accessed August 22, 2019.
- Healthline. Seasonal Allergies: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment. https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/seasonal-allergies#symptoms. Accessed August 22, 2019.
- Yale. Allergy tips. http://yalehealth.yale.edu/allergy-tips. Accessed February 05, 2015.
- American Chemical Society. Largest USDA study of food antioxidants reveals best sources. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/06/040617080908.htm. Accessed February 15, 2015.
- Allan K, Kelly FJ, Devereux G. Antioxidants and allergic disease: a case of too little or too much? Clinical & Experimental Allergy. Volume 40, Issue 3, March 2010; 40(3):370-380.
- WebMD. Ragweed Allergy. https://www.webmd.com/allergies/ragweed-allergy. Accessed August 22, 2019.
- Melgarejo, E, Medina MA, Sanchez-Jiminez F, Urdiales JL. Targeting of histamine producing cells by EGCG: a green dart against inflammation? Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry. 2010. 66(3): 265-270.
Find the Best Flonase Product For You
Leading a life not limited by allergies starts with FLONASE. Each product offers you the chance to help tackle your allergies and help manage your symptoms.
