Break Out The Tissues North Dakota, Allergy Season Is Here

As the temperature rises and the snow melts in North Dakota, life and beauty returns in the spring.

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Unfortunately, seasonal allergies also arrive at this time of year for a lot of us.

From mold to pollen, there are an abundance of allergens that can cause sneezing, itching, congestion, and other unpleasant symptoms.

You can still enjoy allergy season spring to the fullest by taking a few steps.

For those of us who suffer from allergies, it is important to stay in the know about  pollen levels. Weather forecasts and weather apps now usually include pollen count, and in some cases the type of pollen to be expected.

In order to minimize exposure to pollen, stay indoors on days with high pollen counts. That's right, do the opposite of what most people should do, and don't touch grass.

Keeping your indoor environment clean and allergen-free is another helpful method. Regular vacuuming, dusting, and bedding washing can help. No, cleaning is not that big of an ask. If you spend 15 minutes a day doing the basics.

Air purifiers and HVAC systems equipped with HEPA filters can also improve air quality by capturing airborne allergens, even those that are just a few microns in size.

Another way to avoid allergens is to maintain appropriate personal hygiene. On high allergen days, when you come inside, pollen, dust, and dander still cling to your clothes. Again, this goes with the above about cleaning. Do your laundry.

People with known allergies can use over-the-counter antihistamines, nasal sprays, and eye drops to help. Popping a Claritin has become second nature to a lot of people. Also, when you take them on consecutive days in a row, it has a more beneficial effect than just taking them when you get sneezy.

Spring allergies aren't easy to control, but taking preventative measures can help and improve your quality of life.

But then again, I'm not your mom so do whatever you want.