Your worst allergy mistakes

Allergies are the worst. A stuffy nose, itchy eyes, coughing and other allergy symptoms can make life miserable. But, is your own cluelessness contributing to the problem? Here are the worst allergy mistakes people make – and the smart ways to avoid them.

You leave windows open ~ Make it a rule to keep your windows closed and the air conditioner on when it’s pollen season. Be sure to set the AC to “recirculate.” If it’s not hot outside, you can keep it in filer-only mode. Using an air condtioner in your car can cut the amount of pollen you breathe by as much as 30 percent.

You ignore pollen counts ~ People should make an effort to be aware of the pollen count and which pollens are out that bother them. Check when allergy season begins in your area. You can look up allergy forecasts online for your zip code and sign up for allergy alerts by email. The more information you have, the better you can manage your symptoms.

You exercise at the wrong time ~ If you love an outdoor workout, avoid the morning or early afternoon. Trees start releasing pollen at sunrise, with levels peaking in the late morning and early afternoon. Exercising when pollen levels are lower can make an enormous difference.

You undermine your air purifier ~ Room air purifiers and filters are an extremely effective way to remove pollen, animal dander, dust and other allergens from indoor air. But unless you close the doors and windows in the room, it is basically useless. These units are designed to filter room-size areas – not your entire house.

You’ve got clutter ~ Stuffed animals are cute and cuddly, but unfortunately they are major dust magnets. Dust is a common allergy trigger. If you or faimly members suffer from allergies, it is best to store stuffed animals or give them away. If small children are attached, it is better to have just a few that you can rotate and occasionally wash.

Be sure to change your air filters monthly and have your HVAC system cleaned and serviced twice a year. Call one of our licensed service techs here at LHT Cooling, Heating & Refrigeration, Inc., to schedule your Spring cleaning! We are here to help with your worst allergy mistakes.