Ahhh Springtime, the sun is shining, the flowers are budding, the birds are chirping, it’s warm outside… and you can’t really enjoy any of it because you can barely see through the blurry vision, the snot that seems to have an endless amount of reservoir running down your nose. Then the wind comes and blow all the dusts and allergens into mayhem. Once the allergy attacks start, there is no amount of antihistamine that can help you. You’re pretty much done for the day and the only salvation is to lay down and go to sleep.

So how can you prevent from having this miserable experience sometimes both in the Spring and Autumn? Well, here are some preventive few tips that will help you from setting off those allergy attacks.

Neti Your Nose

By far the best and most natural way to remove all the allergen that you’re breathing in especially during high allergy seasons is to flush it out. The word “neti” means “nasal cleansing” and comes from the historical Indian language, Sanskrit. Neti is the oldest form of nasal irrigation and was developed as an ayurvedic yoga tradition to cleanse the body, starting with the nasal passage. This is by far the most effective way to prevent you from not only allergy attacks but any airborne particulates that may make you sick. You can use the traditional neti pot, an electric nasal contraption or you can use the nose attachment for your Waterpick. Use half a teaspoon of salt and bottled water. Often times, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is added to the salt if you buy pre-packaged salt. It is incredibly important to use either bottled water or if you use tap water, remember to boil the water for at least 3 minutes, let it cool before using it to irrigate your nasal passage otherwise you will risk getting flesh eating bacteria, which is a far worst condition that may result in death… than having allergy attacks.

Wear sunglasses

If your eyes are highly sensitive to pollen, wear large sunglasses outside, and keep saline eyewash handy if you get too itchy.

Keep car windows closed and use car AC

When driving, keep windows closed, and make sure that your air conditioning is on the “recirculating” setting to keep out allergens.

“No shoes”

Adopt a “no-shoes” policy in the house to keep your family and friends from tracking in allergens and germs from the outdoors.

Wash your hair every night

If you’ve been outside during the day, wash your hair before you go to bed to help keep pollen off of your pillow. Unwashed hair is the worst not only for your allergies but it will cause your skin to breakout from the dust and grime stuck on your hair.

No smoking

Adopt a no-smoking policy in your home and in your car. Smoking is bad not only for your lungs but it’ll set off your allergies.

Turn on the AC

To beat the summer heat, use the air conditioning instead of fans. Most air conditioners have filters, while fans can stir up dust that will only wreck havoc on your allergies.

Change the AC filter

You want to breathe in air that is clean as possible in doors. If you’re using air conditioning or furnace heat, change the filters every 4-6 weeks to cut down on airborne allergens.

Wash your linens

Linens should be washed in very hot water (130°F) at least once a week. It needs to be at least 130°F to kill off dust mites. Your skin will also thank you for it.

Plastic storage

Cover your mattresses and pillows in airtight plastic covers to help cut down on dust mites. This also keep you

Cut your lawn short

Keep your lawn mowed short so that the leaves of grass don’t get the chance to produce much pollen. And if you can, reduce the square footage of grass you have in your garden. Or opt for a Japanese rock garden.

Screen your windows and doors

If you can’t keep your windows closed during pollen season, you should make sure you’ve got screens in your windows and doors to at least cut pollen down.

Vacuum

HEPA filter vacuum is a MUST and should be used in order to control dust and allergens accumulating in your living space and set off your allergies.

Dust once a week

Once a week, dust with a damp cloth. In order to reduce allergens and dust, wipe down your furniture with furniture spray polish

Wear a mask

Protect yourself and wear a mask to help prevent and or reduce the amount of dust and pollen you breathe in when you clean the house or work in the yard

Pull down shades

Use shades that are pull-down as they limit the amount of dust collected. Cloth based draperies and blinds with slates should be replaced as they are dust collectors.

Ditch the carpet

If you’ve got a choice between bare floors and thick carpets, opt for the bare floors. It can be easier and simpler to keep them clean.

Buy fabric-free furniture

Shopping for furniture? Remember that vinyl, leather and wood are easier to keep allergen-free than fabric and upholstered furniture.

Air the bathroom

When possible keep the door open, keep the windows open, and run the bathroom fan when you are taking a shower. This helps to control moisture and prevent mold.

Use the de-humidifier at night

The humidity in the house should be between 30% and 60%. Use an air conditioners or dehumidifier in the summer to keep the humidity down and a humidifier in the dry winter to boost it up.

Off the bed

Stuffed animals are dust-magnets. If you’ve got them around the house, keep them away from the bed to help you avoid the dust while you sleep.

Use the dryer

Don’t hang laundry outdoors. While it’s nice to save on electricity, your clean laundry might get covered in pollen.

Food storage

Used closed containers to store dry foods (including pet food) so they don’t attract rodents and pests.

Seal the house

Make sure your house is sealed and there are no cracks or holes the would allow pest to hide indoors if you’ve got allergies that stem from pest problems.

Clean up

When there is a water leak in the house, immediately clean up the water before fixing the leak to keep mold from growing while you wait for the plumber.

Use trays

To keep water from collecting and growing mold, make sure your potted plants have trays. As well as radiators and refrigerator should also have trays that needs to be cleaned often.