Health Conditions / Allergies / Seasonal Allergies

If your pets sleep in your bed with you, there’s a higher chance you’ll end up with outside invaders in your bed. “Dogs bringing in ticks [which then attach] to owners is a very real and not uncommon situation,” Dr. Russo says. “Likewise, cats go outside and may hunt and kill other animals with potentially dangerous infections, like tularemia, and can infect owners.” Allergens—particularly dust mites—are the biggest cause for concern.While bacteria and sweat aren’t likely to build up enough to make you sick, dust mites sure can. Obviously, not everyone is allergic to dust mites, but if you are, it’s more important to regularly clean your sheets and comforter.“The most common types of allergens found in mattress and pillows and comforters and blankets are dust mites,” Denisa E. Ferastraoaru, MD, assistant professor of medicine in allergy and immunology and attending physician at Einstein/Montefiore and Jacobi Medical Centers, tells SELF. “Dust mites are small, little creatures. They live wherever we live because they feed on our skin flakes.” And they’re most commonly found in the bedroom, she adds.It’s sort of impossible to rid your bedroom of dust mites—everybody has them, no matter how clean you keep the house, says Dr. Ferastraoaru.Other allergens can linger on your comforter, too. If you sit on your bed in your outside clothes, you can transfer things like pollen, grass, and ragweed onto your comforter. And if your dog or cat is running around outside and then sleeping in your bed, they can drag in these seasonal allergens, too. This may cause problems for you, depending on how sensitive you are, Dr. Steele says.How often should you wash your comforter then? You should generally aim to wash your comforter once a week. There are some logistical challenges that make it difficult to wash a large, bulky comforter this often, which is typically what experts recommend to keep linens fresh and minimize allergens. Another option: Slip your comforter into an allergy-proof cover, and wash that once a week, Ryan Steele, DO, board-certified allergist-immunologist and assistant professor of clinical medicine at Yale School of Medicine, tells SELF. “Adding an allergy cover, which might also be called a dust mite cover, will add an extra layer of protection to lock in dust mites and reduce the number of allergens,” Dr. Steele says.These covers work by basically locking dust mites inside the comforter so that they can’t get out and be inhaled, Dr. Ferastraoaru explains. “The fabric is very tight and will not let dust mites and dust mite allergens through.” Even better: If you’re in the market for a new comforter, put an allergy cover on it before you use it the first time to prevent dust mites from getting inside in the first place, she says.Dr. Steele recommends washing your sheets and all covers, including pillow and comforter covers, once a week on the hottest setting possible to reduce the number of allergens. If you have seasonal allergies, use the dryer. “A lot of people like to get that fresh scent on linens by drying them on the outside clothesline. That may be great for the smell, but that is a giant pollen trap,” Dr. Steele says. “Using the dryer is going to help reduce the load of the allergens.”If your allergies are acting up despite regularly washing your sheets and comforter cover, you may need to kick your pet out of the bed, Dr. Steele says. It could be a difficult transition if you’re both used to cuddling all night, but you’ll ultimately sleep more soundly if you eliminate all potential sources of allergens. No matter who’s in bed with you, it’s worth it to keep things clean.Related:

The days are getting shorter, the air is getting crisper, the leaves are changing colors**—**and fall allergies are in full swing. Most of us associate seasonal allergies with springtime, but more and more people have been battling runny noses, itchy eyes, and scratchy throats come autumn.If you feel like you’re allergic to October itself, it’s not all in your head. A growing body of research suggests that pollen seasons—which, in the fall, typically lasts between early August through November—are now 21% longer than they were in 1990. And as the air swells with microscopic allergens, your immune system triggers all kinds of unpleasant symptoms if you’re one of up to 60 million people in the US who deal with allergic rhinitis (aka hay fever) each year, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).So, if your sinuses are a clogged-up mess right now, you’re in good company. The number of people affected by seasonal allergies is only expected to grow, research shows, and you may have climate change to blame for that. Here’s why fall allergies feel especially awful lately—and how to deal if you feel like you’ve been hit over the head with them.Why do fall allergies seem to be getting worse each year?As the earth’s climate has warmed, the plants that cause seasonal allergies—most commonly ragweed in the fall—have had longer growing seasons. These plants once died out by October when the winter frost typically arrived and killed them off, but the first frost often doesn’t appear until November now, depending on where you live. “As warmer temperatures extend into October and November, plants like ragweed are continuing to produce pollen later into the year,” Melanie Carver, Chief Mission Officer for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), tells SELF.On top of that, warmer weather can stifle airflow, the AAFA notes, which can cause ozone gas and other forms of air pollution to build, warming the climate even further. And so the cycle repeats: The rising temps further extend growing seasons, which “are exposing people to higher pollen counts for longer periods of time,” Carver says.Some projections suggest that if carbon dioxide levels continue to rise as they have been, levels of ragweed pollen will double between the years 2000 and 2060. This will likely exacerbate symptoms in people who already have seasonal allergies and possibly lead to a spike in the number of people who experience them.How to deal when your fall allergy symptoms feel unbearableFirst, take note of your symptoms. During the fall, it can be easy to confuse seasonal allergies with the common cold, flu, or even COVID. But symptoms like sneezing, watery or itchy eyes, and postnasal drip are key signs that you’re probably dealing with allergies, says Carver. Another important thing to note: Allergies do not cause a fever like the flu or COVID can. (Here’s a handy chart that breaks all the potential symptoms down.)

Blowing your nose may offer in-the-moment relief, but it’s never anyone’s idea of a good time. Sometimes—especially when your snot is suddenly a striking shade of green—it can be gag-inducing or even feel a bit worrisome. So, wouldn’t it be nice to know what your snot color means? Like, does it actually say anything about your health?Regardless of what you see on that tissue, your snot is doing its job. Snot is another name for mucus, which is essentially a lubricant that lines your eyes, sinuses, mouth, stomach, lungs, and intestines, according to the National Institutes of Health.“Mucus is actually very important,” Stacey Tutt Gray, MD, director of the Sinus Center at Massachusetts Eye and Ear in Boston, tells SELF. When it comes to the mucus in your sinuses, “it warms and humidifies the air you’re breathing in through the nose so that it’s a comfortable humidity and temperature when the air reaches your lungs,” she explains. Mucus is also involved in your body’s immune system. “It’s our first line of defense against viruses and bacteria that enter the nasal cavity,” she says, as it contains important antibodies that help fight infection.Your mucus becomes a problem when there’s too much or too little of the stuff. Too little, and your sinuses can be uncomfortably dry. Too much, and it’s snot city—but this actually serves a purpose. Your body will start churning out more mucus to trap allergens or bacteria, Justin Turner, MD, PhD, associate professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, tells SELF. Certain health issues, like some illnesses and allergies, can therefore alter the amount, consistency, or color of those secretions.Your mucus alone won’t definitively provide a diagnosis, but it can offer some clues about what’s going on. Here’s what your snot color might mean, how to deal with the congestion, and when it’s time to see a doctor.Clear snotNormal, healthy snot is clear, thin, watery, and plentiful, Erich P. Voigt, MD, associate professor in the department of otolaryngology at NYU Langone Medical Center, tells SELF. “Our bodies produce about 1 liter of mucus and saliva a day, but we don’t notice the normal production.” What’s the stuff made of? Mostly water, with some proteins, antibodies, and dissolved salts in the mix, according to Scripps Health.That said, you’re not totally in the clear just because your snot is. If your snot is clear, but also runny and more abundant than usual, that often means your nose is working overtime to try to get rid of something in there that your body doesn’t like, typically an allergen or irritant, Raj Sindwani MD, an otolaryngologist at the Cleveland Clinic, tells SELF. This is a classic symptom of seasonal allergies. “If it’s the start of spring and all of a sudden your nose gets stuffy and starts running and it’s clear,” it’s likely you’re having an allergic reaction, Dr. Voigt says. Other common seasonal allergy symptoms can include sneezing, and an itchy nose, ears, eyes, and mouth, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).Runniness that is sudden and short-lived can be due to irritants in the environment, such as pollutants in the air, certain fragrances, or secondhand smoke, Dr. Sindwani says. Or, suddenly drippy discharge on a chilly day could actually just be water condensing as the cold air is warmed in your nasal passages and runs out your nostrils, according to Harvard Health.Excess clear snot paired with other symptoms like a cough, fever, or general feeling of blah-ness that hangs around for three or four days may also signal the beginning of a mild upper respiratory virus, like a brief cold, Dr. Voigt says. In addition to runny nose and congestion, respiratory infection symptoms include cough, sore throat, headache, low-grade fever, facial pressure, sneezing, muscle aches, and fatigue.1Back to topCloudy or white snotColorless but cloudy, thick nasal mucus (the kind that clogs up your nose and doesn’t seem to budge no matter how much you blow) signals congestion that may be due to a couple of things. One possibility is a chronic allergy, like if you’re allergic to dust. “It’s everywhere year round, so you won’t feel that runniness anymore, you’ll just feel stuffy all the time and the nasal mucus might be thicker and more plentiful than usual,” Dr. Voigt says.

Back to topWhat are the most common allergic reaction symptoms?Symptoms of an allergic reaction can range from mild, localized flare-ups in a specific part of your body to severe allergic reactions that set off alarm bells throughout your body. Here’s what to look out for.Congestion, sneezing, and a runny noseWhen you breathe in an allergen like tree pollen, mold, or dust, your immune system triggers the release of histamines from cells inside your nasal passageways, Dr. Abdeldaim says. This causes “allergic rhinitis,” or inflammation in your nose, and in turn an uptick in the production of mucus. Seasonal and year-round allergens alike can trigger an itchy, stuffed-up nose, sneezing attacks, and postnasal drip (that uncomfortable sensation as mucus from your sinuses trickles down your throat).You might feel like you just have the common cold, Dr. Tam says. But one way to tell the difference is that a viral infection typically clears within one to two weeks, whereas allergy symptoms are chronic and could last for several weeks.Itchy, irritated eyesIf allergens like pet dander or dust mites make their way into your eyes, histamines could flare up and make them swollen, red, itchy, and watery, Marc F. Goldstein, MD, a board-certified allergist and immunologist at The Asthma Center in Philadelphia, tells SELF. This is called allergic conjunctivitis because allergens cause the protective covering of the eye and eyelid—the conjunctiva—to swell. Your eyes might also feel like they’re burning or more sensitive to light.A rashThe release of histamine can also make your skin itchy, Sanjeev Jain, MD, PhD, a board-certified allergist and immunologist at Columbia Allergy in California, tells SELF. In fact, irritated skin is one of the most common signs of an allergic reaction whether you’ve eaten, inhaled, or brushed up against an allergen.Symptoms can vary. You may develop dry, itchy patches due to eczema after your skin’s been exposed to an irritant or allergen, or you could have itchy, red bumps or hives.Trouble breathing, coughing, and wheezingIf histamines make their way to your lungs, they could also trigger asthma symptoms like shortness of breath and coughing fits, Dr. Tam says. If you’re one of over 25 million Americans with asthma, allergens (like cockroaches, pet dander, mold, and dust mites) are also one of the most common triggers for trouble breathing and wheezing. Even food allergies can cause asthma-like symptoms.Gastrointestinal distressWithin minutes, even a small amount of food—like a sip of milk, traces of eggs, or peanuts—could trigger an allergic reaction in your G.I. tract. Inflammation in your stomach could cause symptoms like cramping, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and even diarrhea, Dr. Goldstein says.It’s easy to confuse food allergies with food intolerances. But food intolerances tend to be limited to G.I. issues while food allergies often come with additional symptoms like tingling or itching in your mouth, swelling in your mouth and throat, itchy skin, hives, wheezing, nasal congestion, trouble breathing, and even dizziness and fainting.AnaphylaxisFinally, one important cluster of symptoms to be aware of is anaphylaxis, Dr. Tam says. This severe allergic reaction is life-threatening, so immediate emergency medical attention is a must. Anaphylaxis is most commonly caused by foods, insect stings, medications, and latex allergies.

Feeling like you can’t take in enough air or even breathe at all is downright scary. If this is a common experience, it’s important to figure out what’s causing your shortness of breath. Breathing difficulties can be a symptom of so many things: COVID-19, pneumonia, panic attacks, heart attacks, and all types of asthma—including allergic asthma—according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). And each of these root causes may require different approaches and treatments to clear up your breathing. SELF spoke to top doctors to tackle everything you need to know about shortness of breath, including common causes, allergy triggers, and treatment.What causes shortness of breath?Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, is generally an indicator of heart or lung problems, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Cardiac-induced shortness of breath usually happens when your heart can’t properly fill up with blood and pump it to the rest of your body, a process that keeps things running smoothly, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. This creates pressure in the blood vessels around the lungs, causing shortness of breath.1Pulmonary shortness of breath happens in two ways, Tania Elliott, MD, an immunologist and clinical instructor in the department of medicine at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, tells SELF. “One is you’re so congested that you don’t breathe in enough air through your nasal passages,” she says. As a result, your lungs don’t get enough oxygen.The other is due to bronchospasm, which happens when the muscles lining the airways in the lungs spasm and constrict, Dr. Elliott says. People can have bronchospasms for many reasons, including asthma.“If you find yourself short of breath and also wheezing or coughing, that may be caused by asthma,” John Oppenheimer, MD, a physician at Atlantic Medical Group in New Jersey and a clinical professor of medicine at Rutgers University, tells SELF. Asthma can flare up for numerous reasons, such as exercise or exposure to an allergen. (The latter is known as allergic asthma.)It’s crucial to determine whether your shortness of breath is caused by something like allergies or cardiac problems, Dr. Elliott says. If your shortness of breath is accompanied by chest pain, or tingling and numbness in your arm, call your doctor ASAP or get emergency care just to be safe.Why do allergies cause shortness of breath?Shortness of breath isn’t one of the most common allergy symptoms (unless you’re so congested you can’t breathe), according to Dr. Elliott. “Allergies impact the upper respiratory tract,2 meaning your nose and throat. Generally, people who have allergies experience symptoms affecting the upper respiratory tract, which makes sense because you breathe allergens in through your nose,” she says. This explains why your eyes feel itchy and your nose runs after breathing in an allergen such as pollen. But if you have allergic asthma, allergens inflame the lower respiratory tract too, causing the muscles around the airway to narrow, leading to asthma symptoms: shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing, according to the NLM.

There’s nothing more invigorating than opening your window on a spring day and breathing in the fresh air—unless you have spring allergies, that is. In that case, taking a whiff of those budding blooms may only lead to sneezing and wheezing.Allergies, including seasonal allergies, occur when your immune system mistakenly sees typically harmless substances (like pollen) as a threat. This sets off an attack that leads to an allergic reaction, which can affect your nasal passages, skin, airways, eyes, and digestive system. These reactions can range from mild to severe and vary by person, according to the Mayo Clinic. While you can’t cure allergies, you can learn to control them. Here’s how to conquer your spring allergies when pollen season hits full swing.What are the most common spring allergens?Tree pollen is the most common spring allergen, according to a 2021 allergy report from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).1 Even if you don’t live by a forest, tree pollen is more likely to affect you because the pollen grains are very small. We’re talking about the tiniest of pinches containing thousands of grains, which are even smaller than ragweed pollen grains, the main fall allergy offender. The wind can carry tree pollen for several miles, making spring allergies especially hard to avoid.There are lots of different tree types that release pollen associated with spring allergies, including:AshAspenBirchCedarElmHickoryOakOlivePecanPoplarWillowGrass pollens can also trigger spring allergies for many people, but it depends on where you live. In the northern U.S., grass allergies are at their worst in the late spring and early summer. In the south, grasses may release pollen all year long, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Weed pollen is typically more of late summer or early fall allergen, so you might be spared in the spring.Back to topWhat do spring allergy symptoms feel like?Spring allergy symptoms are the result of a complex set of reactions that occur in the body. Researchers tend to break these reactions down into an early phase and a late phase.According to a 2020 study published in the journal Asthma, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, in the early phase, an allergen (like pollen) enters your body. There are specific receptors on your cells called antigen-specific immunoglobulin e (IgE) receptors. These IgE receptors trigger a rapid response in the body that involves the release of histamines and other substances that quickly trigger symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.2 Think of these symptoms as those that occur seemingly the minute you step outside on a nice spring day.The late-stage effects are when your body takes hours to respond to allergen exposure. The cells release other substances that cause inflammation in the body. This inflammation then leads to tissue swelling, which can spur nasal congestion and, in some people, asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing. Uncontrolled asthma can be dangerous, so it’s important to talk with your doctor or allergist if you experience those symptoms.To sum it up, common spring allergy symptoms can include the following:Dark circles under your eyes (known as “allergy shiners”)Itchy eyes and noseRunny noseSneezingStuffy noseWatery eyes“Some people also have really bad fatigue, which can be the major symptom of their seasonal allergies,” Gary Stadtmauer, MD, FACP, an allergist in private practice in New York City, tells SELF. “Those people need to come in to see an allergist and, in my experience, typically need allergy shots.”

The shift from crisp spring mornings to the lazy days of summer signals good times for many—the start of holiday breaks, vacations with family and friends, longer days, and warmer weather. For people living with allergic asthma, though, this time of year is often the height of endless sneezing, labored wheezing, and generally feeling downright miserable.Allergic asthma happens when allergies and asthma combine. Practically, that means when you breathe in an allergen, it triggers inflammation in your airways that leads to asthma symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath, according to the Cleveland Clinic. You may also experience more classic symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as sneezing and itchy eyes. If this sounds like you, you’re not alone: More than 25 million people in the U.S. have asthma, and 60% of them have allergic asthma, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).So when many people are spending time outside, those with allergic asthma often find themselves stuck inside (thanks to pollen and other allergens in the air). That said, if you’ve lived with this condition for any period of time, you start to develop some tips and tricks for minimizing your exposure to allergens and managing any of the not-so-enjoyable symptoms they cause.SELF spoke to four people living with allergic asthma about what it’s like navigating the condition, what they’ve learned along the way, and, ultimately, what helps them breathe a bit easier.1. “The diagnosis helped me understand a lot of issues I have had most of my life.” “I was diagnosed with asthma by my general practitioner when I was 30 and received the official diagnosis from my lung doctor when I was 31. Although I’ve only known about it for just over two years, the diagnosis helped me understand a lot of issues I have had most of my life. I’m an opera singer, which makes breathing a pretty crucial aspect of my job. For years, I always struggled to make it through phrases that should not have been an issue. After receiving the diagnosis and beginning to take a maintenance inhaler, it has made a huge difference.However, I do have to take care to wear a mask if I’m vacuuming or dusting and take antihistamines during high pollen season (and if I’m traveling for an audition or a gig). I also plan my allergy shots around my singing schedule since I usually cannot sing the day after.I am beginning to trust the inhaler, but I do try to avoid going on hikes in wheat fields—I learned that one the hard way! HEPA air filters are a massive help, and so is having a robot vacuum (although my puppy might disagree with that hack). I also got dust covers for my duvets, mattress, and pillows, and stopped having flowers in the apartment. Additionally, the allergy shots seem to be helping with dust, and FFP2 masks are great when cleaning to prevent allergy attacks.

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

There are so many types of allergic reactions. Some of us get rashes or hives after eating certain foods, some of us develop allergic asthma due to triggers like mold or dust, and some of us have a higher risk of dangerous complications like anaphylactic shock.You might have some idea of what an allergic reaction can look and feel like (Itchy spots! Watery eyes! Swelling!), but your body can respond in all kinds of unexpected ways when it comes in contact with something it perceives as a threat.If you deal with allergies, then keep on reading to dig deeper into the different types of allergic reactions you may experience. Understanding your personal triggers can clue you in on how to best treat them, so you can hopefully feel better faster when symptoms strike.What is an allergic reaction?Typically, your immune system tries to keep you healthy by attacking things like potentially harmful viruses and bacteria. Sometimes, however, your immune cells see other substances as a threat to your body, even if they don’t generally cause harm for most people. In most cases, your body attacks the perceived “invaders” and causes an allergic reaction by producing antibodies called immunoglobulin (IgE). It’s these antibodies that release chemicals that trigger symptoms, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).People can be allergic to so many different things, including various types of food, insect venom, latex, or certain medicines, as well as airborne substances like pollen, mold, or animal dander, among other allergens.Allergic reactions are common and often happen within minutes to hours after a person has been exposed to the offending allergen, Lara Gross, MD, an allergist and immunologist with Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, tells SELF.People who have a family history of allergic conditions like hives, hay fever, eczema, or asthma are more likely to have allergies, according to the Mayo Clinic. But anyone can develop allergies regardless of these factors.Back to topWhat are some common allergic reaction symptoms?Sometimes, allergic reactions cause mild symptoms like itching or congestion. But in other cases, they can make a person extremely uncomfortable—think stomach cramping, chest pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or dizziness. Occasionally, a severe allergic reaction can be life-threatening if you don’t get quick treatment, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). What’s more, if a reaction repeatedly happens, like in the case of having pollen allergies all spring, it can lead to other complications such as sinusitis, Dr. Gross says.According to the NIH, mild allergic reaction symptoms can include:Moderate-to-severe allergic reaction symptoms can be less subtle. You may experience the following side effects, depending on the type of allergen you’re dealing with:Stomach painNausea or vomitingDiarrheaCoughingChest tightness or discomfortDizzinessBecoming flushedFeeling anxiousHaving trouble breathingHaving difficulty swallowingSwollen eyes, face, or tongueHeart palpitationsThe above symptoms can also be a sign of the most severe allergic reaction, which is anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction. Additional signs of anaphylaxis include severe shortness of breath, a rapid or weak pulse, a drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. Generally, severe symptoms happen within minutes of inhaling, consuming, or injecting (as you might with certain medications) an allergen. But some allergic reactions can take a few hours to present symptoms, especially when it comes to food allergies, the NIH notes. Severe allergic reactions call for an immediate shot of epinephrine and emergency medical attention. Keep in mind that some allergens tend to be more likely to cause certain symptoms. For example, food allergies are more commonly associated with mouth tingling, facial swelling, hives, or possibly anaphylaxis. Allergies to pollen or dander, on the other hand, are more likely to trigger sneezing, a runny nose, or watery eyes, says the Mayo Clinic.

Back to topWhat are some common seasonal allergy symptoms?When your body is responding to an allergen, it lets you know. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), people with seasonal allergies may get slammed with symptoms such as:Stuffy or runny nose and excess mucusItchy eyes, nose, mouth, or throatRed, watery, and puffy eyesSneezingCoughingFatigueSometimes these symptoms can feel like a cold or another respiratory infection like COVID-19. If you’re not quite sure what you’re dealing with, pay close attention to other symptoms that might be surfacing. A cold or flu-like infection may also cause additional warning signs such as fever, chills, and body aches, Ratika Gupta, MD, an allergist and immunologist with New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, tells SELF. “Allergies should not cause any of those things,” Dr. Gupta says.What’s more, seasonal allergy symptoms tend to last longer, according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM). If you’re unsure about what’s going on and you’ve had symptoms for longer than a week, scheduling an appointment with your doctor can help you figure out what’s driving your discomfort.Back to topDo “natural” remedies for seasonal allergies work?If you have mild allergy symptoms—meaning it feels like you have a slight cold but you’re not 100% miserable—then trying certain “natural” remedies for seasonal allergies at home may be worth a shot before you turn to allergy medications. Here are some common ones to consider:1. Know your allergy triggers.This is an important one! Understanding the cause of your symptoms plays a vital role in seasonal allergy management, according to Beth Corn, MD, associate professor of medicine and clinical immunology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She recommends getting a skin allergy test if possible. There are numerous allergy tests, but the common skin prick test involves scratching or poking your skin with the various allergens and waiting to see if you develop a reaction, such as redness, according to the Cleveland Clinic. “It takes a minute, and within 15 minutes you know what you are allergic to,” Dr. Corn tells SELF. Once you have this information, you can do your best to minimize contact with your personal allergy triggers.2. Keep your indoor air as clean as possible.To do this, keep your windows closed and, if it’s too warm, use air conditioning to stay cool if you can. We know this is a bummer, but letting air in also invites allergens into your home—which is exactly what you don’t want. Be sure to also check your window sills and frames for condensation, which can contribute to mold growth.Of course it’s impossible to avoid allergens completely, but you can filter them out of the air and reduce your exposure by using an air purifier that has high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) filter. A HEPA filter can remove about 99.7% of mold, dust, pollen, bacteria, and other irritating particles from the air, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. You may also want to consider using a dehumidifier in your home, which can help remove excess moisture from the air to decrease mold growth. These can be especially helpful in areas that are usually pretty damp, such as the bathroom or basement. Before making a purchase, you might want to talk to your doctor about specific models they recommend using to reduce allergy symptoms specifically.3. While you’re at it, keep your floors clean too.After running or spending other time outside, if you can, remove your shoes and avoid wearing them inside, Dr. Corn says. Allergens can cling to your shoes, and the less you can track inside, the better. The Mayo Clinic recommends vacuuming weekly with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter to help eliminate pollen or mold spores from your floors.4. Take off your outside clothes when you come inside if possible.Allergens can land in your hair, on your skin, and on your clothes while you’re outdoors. When you come indoors, toss your clothes in the hamper and take a quick shower to wash any pollen off of your skin and hair. Similarly, avoid hanging your laundry outdoors. This may be an energy-efficient way to dry your clothes, but it’s also one way to reintroduce pollen and other allergens onto your clean items.5. Allergy-proof your bedroom as much as possible.Dust mites are the most common trigger of year-round allergies and allergic asthma, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, but they especially thrive in humid environments, which can become worse from spring to fall. To help reduce your reaction to dust mites, wrap your pillows, mattress, and box spring with zippered, dust-proof covers. Additionally, change your sheets weekly (wash them in hot water if you can) and avoid sleeping with your pets if possible—even if you’re not allergic to your pet specifically. Animals can have dust, pollen, and other allergens on their fur—which you don’t exactly want in your bed.6. Skip outdoor morning workouts if you can.Pollen counts are typically highest in the morning, so you may want to wait until the afternoon to go for your run. If you have severe seasonal allergies, you may want to skip exercising outdoors and try an indoor workout.7. Stay inside as much as you can on high pollen days.You can typically find this information from your local weather forecast or by using an allergy tracker app, like My Pollen Forecast. And remember that staying inside is most helpful when you also keep your doors and windows closed as much as possible, Dr. Gross says.8. Wear a mask when cleaning or when you’re outdoors.They don’t just protect against COVID-19, people! In addition to blocking out potentially infectious respiratory droplets, protective face masks—ideally a surgical mask or an N95 mask for max protection4—can shield your nose and mouth from allergens. Consider wearing one when you’re cleaning, which can kick up a lot of dust, or when you’re outside for long periods of time.9. If you’re allergic to pollen, be mindful of certain foods.“The proteins in raw fruit and vegetables are similar to the proteins in pollen. So if you’re allergic to tree pollen, when you take a bite of apples, cherries, pears, among others, your body sees it as pollen,” Dr. Corn explains. “And then you get an itchy mouth and throat.” Carrots, peanuts, almonds, and hazelnuts may also cause a reaction. However, if you cook these foods, “the proteins come apart and your body doesn’t recognize them as anything dangerous or bothersome,” Dr. Corn adds. For a full list of potential food reactions, check out this chart from the AAAAI.10. Try a saline nasal rinse.Putting a saline solution into one nostril and letting it drain out the other nostril can help clear irritants like pollen out of your nasal passages, according to the NCCIH. Dr. Gross suggests doing this as soon as you come inside after being outdoors to quickly clear out any allergens. But avoid using water straight from the tap: It can contain low levels of bacteria that, while safe to swallow, could cause a potential infection when poured into your nasal passages, per the FDA. You can purchase either distilled bottled water or boil and cool (like, really cool) your tap water before using it for the saline solution. Make your own rinse by combining three teaspoons of iodide-free salt with one teaspoon of baking soda, and then using one teaspoon of that mixture with eight ounces of water, the AAAAI recommends.11. Consider acupuncture.It’s definitely not a cure-all but some evidence suggests that acupuncture might complement your other symptom management strategies, Dr. Gupta says. People with seasonal allergies who underwent acupuncture treatments experienced fewer nasal symptoms compared to those who didn’t have acupuncture, according to a 2015 review of studies that included 2,365 people5. It’s not clear exactly why, but the researchers theorize that acupuncture may help control the number of cytokines, which are inflammatory proteins, that are released during an allergic reaction6.