Allergies are one of the most common health issues in the US. To be more precise, they’re the sixth most common cause of chronic conditions for Americans.

From allergic rhinitis and asthma to food allergies, these problems affect every age group.

Some allergies, however, tend to worsen as people get older. For instance, asthma can cause some serious difficulties in the elderly.

So, it’s important to change your lifestyle to alleviate the effects of spring allergies.

1)     Prepare for the season

If you are allergic to pollen, bear in mind that spring is the worst time of the year for you.

Because of that, it’s important to properly prepare for the season.

Visit your GP before pollen season begins and ask them to give you an antihistamine.

If you start taking this medicine beforehand, you’ll alleviate the irritating effects that this and other similar allergies have on your body.

There are also herb-based alternatives to traditional anti-allergy medicines that you can get over the counter. As you’re paying your doctor a visit, ask about these options, as well.

Allergies can lead to a stuffy nose and serious migraines. If you’ve had such issues, you might think about some additional treatments. Check out how acupuncture can alleviate the effects of migraines.

2)     Avoid parks and woods

It goes without saying that retirees and people, in general, are advised to have daily walking routines. So, going for a regular walk in the local park would be a must-do for the elderly, right?

However, if you’re allergic to pollen, you need to stop that routine until the season ends. Otherwise, you’ll experience so many difficulties that you won’t be able to finish your walking routine.

Spending time outside with a runny nose and an irritated throat is unpleasant. What’s more, you can never tell how your respiratory system will react to an allergy attack. The older we get, the more sensitive we are to such situations.

For all these reasons, you should avoid parks and woods when the concentration of pollen in the air is high.

Nevertheless, follow the pollen count on the local weather forecast. When this figure drops below the allergy alert level, go outside but put on an allergy mask, just in case.

3)     Ensure medical assistance

If you’ve ever had a more serious allergy attack, it’s imperative to ensure proper medical assistance is available 24/7.

Depending on the place you live in, you can opt for several different options for that matter.

First and foremost, you should get equipped with an anti-allergic set of medicines.

You can also check out the anti-allergy medicines suggested by the Mayo Clinic and discuss them with your doctor.

Furthermore, for the elderly population who are at a higher risk, you should keep someone by your side who can look after you during the peak of the allergy season. You can either have a medical assistant spend time with you, as explained by live-in London care pros, or get a medical alert system.

Either way, you’ll ensure that someone reacts promptly in case you are struck by a more serious allergy attack.

Those older people who live by themselves or in nursing homes should inform their neighbors about their condition and tell them where they keep their medicine – just in case.

4)     Keep your home in anti-allergic order

People who are allergic to pollen are often sensitive to dust, as well.

Since dust spreads to all corners of every home, you should pay more attention to dusting in spring.

Make sure to wear a mask and a pair of cleaning gloves while you’re working. Keep in mind that a wet cloth absorbs dust better and alleviates dust’s negative health effects.

When it comes to vacuuming, all the dust, mites, and pollen in your home require top-notch vacuum cleaners with an enhanced anti-allergic effect in order to protect the older people living there.

Since old books, clothes, and clutter in general increase the level of dust, you should ”Marie Kondo” your house and see what sparks joy. What’s more, old furniture also provides more pockets and surface area for dust. If you have old pieces in your home, ditch them before spring and equip your home with new furniture.

Conclusion

Some allergies simply disappear when we reach a certain age; others attack when nobody expects them. Either way, spring is the most inconvenient time for people who suffer from these issues.

Therefore, it’s vital for them to take precautions and get through this time of year in the best possible way. Different traditional and herbal remedies, as well as changes in daily routines,  and medical assistance, will help you deal with allergic reactions.

To top it all off, a dust- and clutter-free home will minimize the reactions caused by allergies.

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AuthorBio: Anne Harris is an HR specialist working for londonlive-incare.com. She eagerly shares her knowledge with her audience on various blogs. When she isn’t writing or attending wellness conferences, she likes to pack her rucksack and ride her day away on her bike or spend time with her friends.