Managing Outdoor Nasal Allergies

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If you experience nasal allergy symptoms—congestion, sneezing, and an itchy or runny nose—around the same time every year, there's a good chance you may have outdoor or seasonal nasal allergies , caused by allergens like molds or pollens from trees, grasses, and weeds. The good news is that there are management strategies you can use to reduce your exposure to these seasonal nasal allergy triggers, or to help prevent most seasonal nasal allergy symptoms before they start.

Minimizing your exposure to outdoor allergens

Here are some tactics that may be able to help you reduce your exposure to seasonal allergens:

• Check the pollen forecast every day during allergy season. Or you can sign up for a FREE e-mail pollen alert. Plan your outdoor activities when the pollen levels are low; consider an indoor activity if the pollen count is high.
• Keep a log to see when your nasal allergy symptoms are at their worst—in the yard, in the car, when it's rainy or windy. This may help you learn the types of allergen that are causing your symptoms.
• Hot, dry, and windy days spread pollen and mold spores easily, so try to avoid outdoor activities under these conditions.
• When pollens counts are high, avoid yard work, and if possible stay indoors, especially between 5 and 10 a.m. when most pollens are released.
• Keep your windows closed and use air conditioning, if needed, in your home for clean, cool, and dry air.
• While driving, keep the windows up and, if needed, use your air conditioner (set on recirculate to avoid outside air) to reduce pollen exposure.
• Shower and wash your hair after spending time outside. Pollen from the air can collect on your clothes, skin, and hair, and be transferred to your furniture and bedding.
• After you've been outside, leave your outerwear at the door so you don't bring allergens into the house. Change your clothes (but not in your bedroom) and take a quick shower. Have children change their clothing when they come in from playing outdoors.
• Use a HEPA filter on your air conditioning system, especially in the bedroom.
• Mowing, raking, and weeding disturb pollens and molds, making them airborne and easy to breathe in, so wear a mask or have someone else do these tasks.
• Avoid freshly cut grass. Ask someone who doesn't have nasal allergies to mow, if possible. If you must mow your lawn, wear a pollen-filtering mask.
• Keep in mind that outdoor pollens can be carried indoors by people and pets, so ask visitors to leave their coats and boots by the door and wipe down or bathe pets frequently when coming in from outside.

NASONEX® Can Help Prevent Most Seasonal Nasal Allergy Symptoms

Even if you can't completely avoid seasonal allergy triggers, there are ways to help prevent most seasonal nasal allergy symptoms. Beyond simply treating nasal allergy symptoms, NASONEX® can help prevent most seasonal nasal allergy symptoms in patients 12 years and older when taken 2 to 4 weeks before the start of allergy season. Ask your doctor if NASONEX® is an option for you.