Summer is a lovely season for most of us, but it can be tough on allergy sufferers. With the blooms on the plants it leads to an increase in allergy symptoms for many, and these symptoms usually last until the frost appears in the fall.

Here are tips for reducing your allergic symptoms this summer and some of their causes as well:

  • Find medication that is right for you. When it comes to allergy medications, it is definitely not a one-size-fits-all situation. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist and find one that will not have bad side effects or make you sleepy, while you reduce your symptoms. It is easy to get frustrated in the pursuit of the right medication, but there are several different families of medication available and your chances of eventually finding the right one are good. Try to take your medicine one hour before you will be exposed to the allergens if you can.
  • When pollen is at its worst outside, staying inside more than you would like might be necessary. Use central air conditioning rather than having windows open. Fans stir up dust in our homes, so avoid those as well. Simply make sure that your central air conditioner is in good working order. It could be necessary to get an HVAC company to check it, and if need be, service or replace it. Since higher humidity can lead to toxic mold growth, and irritate allergies, if you run the air condition to reduce indoor humidity, it makes sense.
  • Use non-sedating nasal spray and eye-drops to relieve symptoms.
  • Remove contact lenses that can worsen your discomfort from allergens.
  • Have your central air conditioner and furnace cleaned completely. Most times, air conditioning is better than outside air most of the time, but they can also hold allergens if they are not maintained. When you schedule maintenance for your air conditioner, let the heating and cooling company know that you want the system cleaned. You should also ask for a price on having your duct cleaned as well since dust and mold can accumulate or multiply there too.

As summer hits, be proactive about battling your allergy symptoms and youll be more comfortable. These 5 tips for reducing allergy symptoms can make a big difference this season!