Daily and Weekly Allergy Tips
Unfortunately, there is no cure for allergies, but there are plenty of tips you can follow to feel better and get back to enjoying the activities you love. Start with these simple lifestyle changes.
Daily and Weekly Allergy Tips
Unfortunately, there is no cure for allergies, but there are plenty of tips you can follow to feel better and get back to enjoying the activities you love. Start with these simple lifestyle changes.
How to Relieve Allergies
DAILY TIPS

Change Your Clothes
Allergens like those from
pollen
X
pollen
A fine, powdery substance, typically yellow, consisting of microscopic grains discharged from the male part of a flower called stamens or from the male cone of a tree.
, pet dander,
mold
X
mold
Parasitic, microscopic fungi (like Alternaria) that float in the air like pollen. Mold spores are a common trigger for allergies and can be found in damp areas, such as the basement or bathroom, as well as outdoors in grass, leaf piles, hay, mulch or under mushrooms.
spores and
dust mites
X
dust mites
A common trigger for indoor allergies. They are microscopic mites that live in the fibers of pillows, mattresses, blankets and carpet. They live off of our dead skin cells. Inhalation of their droppings can cause allergic reactions such as runny nose, sneezing and nasal congestion.
can stick to your body, clothes and hair. Make it a habit to remove your shoes, change your clothes and wash your hands and face whenever you have been exposed to allergens.

Shower at Night
Showering at night before bed can help make sure that allergens don’t come into bed with you. Going to bed without showering can cause a buildup of allergens on your bedcovers that can trigger nighttime allergies.

Quick Clean
Devoting 10 minutes a day to dusting a surface or vacuuming a room can help reduce dust build-up. Use a damp sponge or mop (a dry cloth can stir up allergens) and a vacuum cleaner with a
HEPA
X
HEPA
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter that removes particles in the air by forcing it through screens containing microscopic pores where it is captured.
filter or double bag.

Monitor Moisture Levels
Keeping your home below 50 percent relative humidity helps with multiple allergens. Both
dust mites
X
dust mites
A common trigger for indoor allergies. They are microscopic mites that live in the fibers of pillows, mattresses, blankets and carpet. They live off of our dead skin cells. Inhalation of their droppings can cause allergic reactions such as runny nose, sneezing and nasal congestion.
and
mold
X
mold
Parasitic, microscopic fungi (like Alternaria) that float in the air like pollen. Mold spores are a common trigger for allergies and can be found in damp areas, such as the basement or bathroom, as well as outdoors in grass, leaf piles, hay, mulch or under mushrooms.
thrive in warm, damp environments. You can get an inexpensive hygrometer (humidity monitor) at many hardware stores and use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to reduce humidity.

Check the Pollen Forecast
The
pollen
X
pollen
A fine, powdery substance, typically yellow, consisting of microscopic grains discharged from the male part of a flower called stamens or from the male cone of a tree.
level changes daily depending on a variety of factors, including the weather. Make sure to check the pollen forecast wherever you spend the majority of the day. For example, if your workplace is in a neighboring city, use that ZIP code when you check.
WEEKLY TIPS

Wash Your Bedding
To help reduce allergens from building up in your bedding, wash it in hot water (at least 130°F) every week. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions for safely cleaning your bedding and dry clean it if necessary.

Deep Clean
Pick a room in your house to deep clean for allergies. Dust every surface and move furniture for a thorough vacuuming. Scrub rooms where moisture builds up, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements, with a
mold
X
mold
Parasitic, microscopic fungi (like Alternaria) that float in the air like pollen. Mold spores are a common trigger for allergies and can be found in damp areas, such as the basement or bathroom, as well as outdoors in grass, leaf piles, hay, mulch or under mushrooms.
-killing cleaner. Don’t ignore appliances like refrigerators and washing machines — they can be hot spots for
mold
X
mold
Parasitic, microscopic fungi (like Alternaria) that float in the air like pollen. Mold spores are a common trigger for allergies and can be found in damp areas, such as the basement or bathroom, as well as outdoors in grass, leaf piles, hay, mulch or under mushrooms.
growth.

Mow the Yard
Keeping your grass short will prevent it from flowering and releasing much
pollen
X
pollen
A fine, powdery substance, typically yellow, consisting of microscopic grains discharged from the male part of a flower called stamens or from the male cone of a tree.
. If you are the
allergy
X
allergy
An exaggerated response of the immune system to a substance that is ordinarily harmless.
sufferer, delegate the task to someone else or wear a protective face mask and gloves. Mow in the evening when
pollen
X
pollen
A fine, powdery substance, typically yellow, consisting of microscopic grains discharged from the male part of a flower called stamens or from the male cone of a tree.
levels are low and keep your windows closed for a few hours after mowing.

Keep Allergy Medication on Hand
Claritin® products are effective over-the-counter antihistamines that come in a variety of forms and flavors for adults and children. If you’re running low, be sure to pick some up on your weekly shopping trip.
REFERENCES
- Grass Pollen Allergy Accessed October 9, 2024.