As spring approaches, we hear strings of “achoos!” and coughs all throughout the day. And if you’re someone like me, who suffers from an especially stuffy nose and itchy throat, just know you’re not alone! In the United States alone, 81 million people suffer from spring allergies, especially on the East Coast. How can we be expected to live peacefully when the very air we breathe causes us discomfort?
After my last few consecutive sneezes during class (which were, by the way, extremely loud amidst the silence of the classroom), I resolved to compile a list of popular remedies and tips to get through your days without having pollen cling to your body and mind like a parasite.
Pollen allergies take on different forms, especially during different months of spring. According to Zyrtec, allergies are primarily split between tree and grass pollen, and levels for both vary from March to June, with April having the hardest-hitting tree pollen symptoms and June the highest grass pollen density. Just knowing this will already be your first step toward avoiding the sniffles—when it’s April, don’t go around climbing and sniffing trees, especially in areas like the forest or a nature center; when it’s June, avoid lying on the grass or becoming one with nature, or else you’ll be the one becoming one with watery, swollen eyes.
Additionally, preparing ahead of time by bolstering your body with medication is extremely helpful. The New York Times reported that allergy season has been creeping up by around 20 days since 2023 and will continue to do so as the weather grows warmer due to climate change. Spring allergies are essentially caused by your body priming itself for an attack by an allergen; by desensitizing your immune system before those allergens even hit, you’re essentially arming yourself for war instead of charging into the fray bare-handed. Better survival changes, don’t you think?
Regarding avoiding symptoms entirely, while you are bound to have some level of reaction, there are many ways to reduce your exposure. Keep your windows closed at all times, especially on sunny and windy days. I know this may seem like common sense, but more people neglect this than you’d think! My neighbor suffers from extremely bad spring allergies, yet when I look out my window, I see him working right beside an open one.
When you get home from being outside or even from school, immediately take off your clothes and store them somewhere other than your common areas, preferably in the basement or directly in the laundry room. Take a hot shower—this not only washes off the lingering parasitic pollen specks from your body but also opens your airways, clears your pores, and helps with potential congestion. This also prevents your bed from being contaminated when you sleep, and as many people can relate, dealing with symptoms while trying to sleep is definitely not the way to a happy life.
Before bed, I suggest drinking a cup of steaming water, or for those who crave it, a smoothie or an herbal tea such as chamomile, nettle, green, or peppermint. These all help clear the nasal passages, especially hot drinks, as they work similarly to a steamy shower by opening the airways and soothing the eyes. As much as possible, avoid caffeine, as research has shown that it worsens symptoms. One of the most helpful remedies is ginger, turmeric, and pineapple; these three all reduce allergy symptoms significantly and may ease breathing. Even if you don’t particularly like any of them, like me, it’s worth enduring for the sake of avoiding itchy noses and rashes, right?
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether to follow these tips, but managing allergies effectively comes down to how severe your symptoms are. As someone who has battled allergy season for over a decade, I can say with certainty that sticking to these strategies daily has made a noticeable difference. Now, I can actually enjoy the outdoors—within reason—without dreading the aftermath at night. Allergies have the power to disrupt daily life, but with the right precautions, they can be largely kept at bay. So, best of luck, and here’s hoping we all make it to June with our eyes and noses intact!
