April 2025 – Spring is here, and while longer days and blooming flowers are welcome signs of the warmer season, it also brings pollen, dust, and other allergens that can make life a little harder for those with seasonal allergies. If you suffer from hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, spring cleaning isn’t just about tidying up, it’s a key step in improving your indoor air quality to help reduce your allergy symptoms.
Here are some tips to help you breathe easier this spring:
Deep Clean Your Home
Hiring spring cleaning services are helpful, but there are also effective steps you can take to reduce allergens in your home:
- Wash bedding, curtains, and stuffed animals in hot water weekly to eliminate dust mites
- Vacuum carpets, rugs, and furniture with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter to remove dust mites and pet allergens
- Dust surfaces with a damp cloth instead of a dry one to trap allergens rather than spread them
- Deep clean your floors and furniture to remove any hidden allergens
- Control mold growth in high-moisture areas like showers, sinks, and bathtubs
Managing Your Allergies
Knowing the cause of your allergies can help you know what to look out for. If you’re sensitive to dust and pollen, tracking the daily pollen count can help you plan your day’s activities. Taking these precautions can also help:
- Stay indoors on dry, windy days when pollen counts are high
- Wear a mask if you need to mow the lawn or pull weeds yourself
- Change your clothes and shower after outdoor activities to remove pollen from your skin and hair
- Use saline nasal washes to help clear allergens from your nose
- Keep windows and doors closed during high pollen days and opt for air conditioning instead of fans or fresh air
Mold spores can also contribute to seasonal allergy symptoms. If mold is your primary allergy trigger, try these tips:
- Use a dehumidifier to keep indoor humidity levels low and prevent mold growth
- Ventilate high-moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms by running exhaust fans or opening windows to air out your home (when pollen counts are low)
- Fix leaks immediately to prevent mold from forming behind walls and under sinks
- Clean mold-prone areas like showers and basements with anti-mold solutions
Monitor Your Indoor Air Quality
While deep cleaning can help reduce allergies in the short term, ongoing indoor air pollution can cause symptoms to persist. Consider using an indoor air quality monitor to check for dust, pet dander, mold, and pollen. Keeping track of these pollutants and the changes of air quality in different areas of your home can help you identify problem spots and take action.
It is also recommended to replace your air filters every three months with a MERV 11 or 12 filter or use an air purifier with a HEPA filter to help remove allergens.
Know When to Seek Medical Care
Most seasonal allergy symptoms can be managed at home, but some cases require medical attention. If your allergy symptoms go beyond mild congestion and sneezing, it may be time to seek care. Visit urgent care if you experience:
- Severe seasonal allergy symptoms that don’t improve with over-the-counter treatment
- Shortness of breath or wheezing
- Fever, sinus pain, or persistent congestion
Primary Health has multiple locations with urgent care open 7 days a week. Book an appointment online or view our Patient Waiting feature to walk in and find the shortest line for the fastest care.