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Tips for Pollen Allergies
Hay fever refers to the allergic reaction to plant pollen. Symptoms include eye irritation, runny nose, stuffy nose, puffy eyes, sneezing, and inflamed, itchy nose and throat. For those with severe allergies, asthma attacks, chronic sinusitis, headaches and impaired sleep are symptoms.

There is no cure for pollen allergies, but here are some tips to keep in mind to help avoid exposure to pollen:

• Avoid being outside from 5-10 AM. Save outdoor activities for late afternoon or after a heavy rain, when pollen levels are lower.
• Keep pollen out. Close windows in your home and car. Use air conditioners to keep cool, and avoid using window and attic fans. Be aware that pollen can also be transported indoors on people and pets.
• Dry your clothes in an automatic dryer. Clothes hung outside can collect pollen which can then be carried inside.
• Track the pollen count in your area. The news media often reports the count, especially when pollen is high. You also can call the National Allergy Bureau at (800)-9-POLLEN, Internet sites, such as the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology on the Internet (http://www.aaaai.org/global/nab-pollen-counts.aspx), also give the pollen count.
• Take antihistamine medications. They can control symptoms of hay fever. Before taking medication, be sure to read the directions, dosages, and side effects.
There are three major types of pollen that cause pollen allergies:

Ragweed Pollen
Of Americans who are allergic to pollen-producing plants, 75% are allergic to ragweed. Ragweed pollen season runs from August to November, but peaks in mid-September in many areas of the country. Its counts are highest between 5 - 10 AM and on dry, hot and windy days.

Grass Pollen
As with tree pollen, grass pollen is regional as well as seasonal. Its levels can be affected by temperature, time of day and rain.
Specific Tips
• If you have a grass lawn, have someone else do the mowing. If you must mow the lawn yourself, wear a mask.
• Keep grass cut short.
• Choose ground covers that don't produce much pollen, such as Irish moss, bunch, and dichondra.

Tree Pollen
Trees release large amounts of colleen that can spread miles away, which is why it can bother you whether or not they are on your property.
Specific Tip:
• If you buy trees for your yard, look for species that do not aggravate allergies such as crape myrtle, dogwood, fig, fir, palm, pear, plum, redbud and redwood trees or the female cultivars of ash, box elder, cottonwood, maple, palm, poplar or willow trees.

Information from:

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
www.niehs.nih.gov

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
www.aafa.org

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