5 Ways to Beat Seasonal Allergies in Louisiana

If you’re waking up feeling congested, suffering from itchy or watery eyes, or finally accepting that your new nickname might very well be “Sneezy,” it may indicate that the height of allergy season is upon us. Living in Louisiana doesn’t make it much easier on allergy sufferers, either. In fact, major cities in Southeast Louisiana, such as New Orleans, have repeatedly ranked amongst the “20 Worst Cities to Have Allergies.”

Here are 5 tips to help you and your family survive Louisiana’s harsh allergy season:‍

1. ‍Take allergy meds as prescribed. Over-the-counter allergy medications are readily available at your local pharmacy and grocery store. Not to mention, there are many different choices as to what you can purchase—from Zyrtec and Allegra to Benadryl and Claritin. Find what works for you and stick to a responsible daily regimen. ‍
2. Don’t cross-contaminate. In other words, keep the outdoors separate from the indoors. When you come inside, remove your clothes and shoes, then take a shower. This will prevent any pollen from coming inside the house with you long-term. You should also refrain from hanging clothing and linens outside to dry during the peak of the season.‍
3. Stay informed. Keep in-tune with the pollen and mold levels each day. You can easily find this information online, or by using weather-oriented apps on your phone. By staying in-the-know, you’ll be keenly aware of your surroundings and can figure out if a pollen mask is needed, or if you should just stay indoors for the day. ‍
4. Prevent and protect. Even if you’re just planning to hang around the house for the day, it’s still important to take the proper precautions. Make sure to keep all your windows closed and run the air conditioner if needed. It may also be a good idea to keep your car and porch consistently hosed down. Also, if you have the financial means, don’t hesitate to hire someone else to do the yard work for a few weeks, while you keep your allergies in check. ‍
5. Keep your doctor in the loop. If all else fails, be sure to visit your general practitioner— especially if your symptoms are worse than usual or become completely unbearable. He or she may redirect you to an allergy specialist for further diagnosis and treatment. Hey, anything is better than suffering for 3 to 6 months out of the year. Right? Right.
   

Allergies are typically the last thing families want to deal with in an already-hectic, day-to-day life. Not only do they slow you down, but they make even the most minimal of tasks extremely difficult. If you stay ahead of pollen and mold, you’ll have a better chance of getting through the peak of Louisiana allergy season without being completely overwhelmed by all the symptoms that come along with it.

At CARE, Inc., #WeCARE about all your loved one’s special needs, especially when it comes to individualized medication regimens. Learn more about how we can assist elderly clients and individuals with disabilities here.