Spring is Here and It’s Time to Get to Work

spring-is-here Spring is just about here, and that means it’s finally time to come out of hibernation after a long winter, brush off the dust (and snow), and get ready for the warmer weather. But humans aren't the only ones who come back to life in spring, and this season always marks the beginning of allergy season as well.

So for all you seasonal allergy sufferers out there, today’s discussion will be dedicated to allergies, allergens, and why you have to start being diligent about keeping the house clean and sealed up.

Why Allergies are So Bad in Spring

In the spring, mold, trees, grasses, and weeds all take advantage of the warmer temperatures and spring breezes to reproduce. Unfortunately for allergy sufferers, that means spores and pollen flying around in the air, wafting into your homes, up your noses, and into your eyes and throats, where they’ll cause classic allergy symptoms, such as:

Itchy and watery eyes
Itchy and runny nose
Sneezing
Coughing
Dark circles under the eyes

Pollen and spores rely on the wind to get carried about, so the worst time for allergy symptoms will be dry, windy mornings, and the best time will be calm and rainy afternoons and evenings.

How Pets Make Allergies Worse

pet-allergens There are a couple of ways that pets can make allergies worse. For one, pet dander, saliva, and urine are all allergens for people who react to dogs and cats. This is made worse in the spring and summer when dogs and cats start to molt to get rid of their winter coats.

Both pet allergens and seasonal allergens like pollen get trapped in your pet’s fur, so when Fido sheds, he releases allergens into the air. The best way to avoid this is to bathe your pets regularly and to brush them outside once a day. Wash pet bedding regularly too, and don’t let your pets into the bedroom (no matter how much they scratch at the door)!

Preventing Allergens from Entering Your Home

closed-window When the snow has fully melted, and the daytime temperatures begin to rise, that’s the time to take action against allergies. The best way to keep your home allergen-free is to prevent pollen and spores from getting in, and there are a number of ways you can do this.

For one, keep your doors and windows closed whenever possible, and especially on high pollen days. You should also install HEPA filters on your air conditioner and on other fresh air intakes that come into the house.

Another way that allergens get into your home are on your skin, hair, and clothes, so shower and wash your clothes as soon as you come in from being outside. And to make sure that you aren't affected by the stragglers that manage to get inside, dust and vacuum twice a week to suck up allergens from around the house.

Here in Boston, MA, the temperatures are remaining cool enough that pollen counts are still low—for now. But warmer weather is in the forecast for early spring, which means allergy season will be here soon as well.

If you want to get a head start on symptoms, call the experts at Atlantic Heating & Air Conditioning, serving the Boston, MA area, today at 617-566-6990 to get your filters installed, your air conditioner inspected, and other spring maintenance issues addressed now.