Raise your hand if you’d like to avoid spring allergies

Ahh, spring. What a refreshing time of year. Flowers are blooming. Trees are sprouting new leaves. Your allergies are kicking in again.

Wait. Say that last one again? Oh, right. While Mother Nature is giving the outdoors a fresh new look, you’re over here sneezing and blinking away the itchiness in your eyes.

If you deal with spring allergies, you probably have your go-to remedies such as over-the-counter or prescription medications. But before you go reaching for the tissues and antihistamines, try something different this spring.

Here are five proactive steps you can take to lessen your allergy symptoms.

Limit your exposure

Do your best to stay inside on dry, windy days. The best time to be outside is after it rains, when there is less pollen in the air. If you have to do yard work, wear a dust mask.

Watch pollen counts

Check the pollen count for the day wherever you access your local weather. If the pollen count is high, take allergy medications ahead of time. Close doors and windows and avoid outdoor activity in the early morning when pollen counts are at their highest.

Keep indoor air clean

When it comes to the indoors, HEPA filters are your best friend. Use them in your air heating and conditioning unit, in your vacuum cleaner and keep a portable HEPA air filter in your bedroom.

Vacuum frequently

Stay on top of cleaning — especially vacuuming. Vacuuming at least once a week can help reduce the amount of pollen tracking through your house.

Wash clothes and bedding often

Wash your bed linens at least once a week and don’t hang laundry outside to dry. Remove clothes you’ve worn outside when you come back in and shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.