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How to Tackle Year-Round Allergies in West Palm Beach
Florida is known for its beautiful weather year-round, making it a popular vacation destination for those seeking to escape colder seasons. Outdoor enthusiasts often flock to Florida cities like West Palm Beach to enjoy the warm climate and endless activities.
What Is Allergy Season Like in Florida?
Florida doesn’t experience freezing winters or extremely dry summers like its neighboring states. While this is great news for outdoor enthusiasts, it also means allergies thrive year-round. If you’re an allergy sufferer in Florida, it’s important to understand the year-round allergy season in the Sunshine State.
Depending on your triggers, allergens can be present throughout the year in Florida:
Spring
Spring is considered to be the worst season for allergies.
Spring is the season in which trees bloom, releasing an increased amount of pollen allergens into the air. Elm, oak, maple, palm, pine, ash, elm, and cedar trees are some of the most common allergens during this season. Grass and weed pollens also start releasing during this season. Watch out for those that come from fescue, Timothy, Bermuda, and sweet vernal grasses.
Summer
Grass and weed allergens are common during Florida summers. Watch out for ragweed, sagebush, thistle, and tumbleweed. Common grass allergens also include blue grasses, Timothy, Bermuda, and Bahia grasses.
Fall
Grass and weed allergies will continue to persist throughout the fall season. Ragweed is the main culprit for fall allergies in Florida. Some parts of the state may also see the beginning of mold allergies as the conditions transition to cool and damp, the perfect environment for it to grow.
Winter
In most states with cold winter seasons, allergy sufferers often get a break during the winter as trees, grasses, and weeds halt growth. However, due to Florida’s milder and warmer winters, many grasses and trees can still release pollen throughout the colder season.
Additionally, indoor allergens see a rise during this season as more people tend to spend more time indoors. Common indoor allergens include mold, dust mites, pet dander, and cockroaches.
Manage Year-Round Allergies in West Palm Beach
Here are some tried and tested tips to manage year-round allergies in West Palm Beach, FL:
- Check pollen counts: Websites like pollen.com and Asthma and Allergy Network’s forecast toll can be any Florida resident’s best friend in checking pollen and allergen counts. You don’t want excessive exposure to your allergy triggers so checking them before going out would be a positive choice for your health.
- Keep doors and windows closed during peak allergy seasons: During days when pollen counts are high, keep the doors and windows to your house and car tightly closed. Pollen can easily travel via air for miles. You don’t want any of that inside the safety of your home.
- Stay at home when pollen counts are high: If pollen counts are especially high, it would be best to stay home. This minimizes your exposure to allergens and reduces the risk of allergic reactions.
- Wear protective gear and clothing outdoors: When you can’t stay indoors to avoid your allergens, make sure you wear protective gear and clothing before heading out. Hats, glasses, and scarves are some of the basics to keep in mind.
- Regularly clean your home: Regularly clean, dust, and vacuum your home. This gets rid of dust mites and other allergens that might have snuck their way into your home. This is especially important if you spend most of your time at home.
- Wash and change bedding regularly: Additionally, regularly wash and change your bedding. This prevents allergens from aggravating your symptoms while you sleep and even during the day.
- Wear face masks when doing any kind of cleaning: Whenever you’re doing some cleaning at home, do not forget to wear protective face masks. You don’t want to inhale any of the allergens you’re cleaning.
- Invest in air purifiers and vacuums with HEPA filters: Air purifiers improve indoor air quality and vacuums pick up dust, dirt, and particles that can trigger allergies. Make sure you use high-quality HEPA filters in your air purifier and vacuums. These can efficiently filter out very small particles from the air inside your home.
- Take your allergy medications: Antihistamines, pain relievers, nasal sprays, corticosteroids, and other over-the-counter medications can help many allergy sufferers manage allergies and achieve temporary relief.
- Consult with your care provider for allergy treatments: If over-the-counter medications don’t seem to work for your allergies, consult with an allergist for possible long-term allergy treatments. Allergy shots and drops are gaining popularity among allergy sufferers for their efficiency and long-term effects.
Allergy Woes Are a No-Brainer With West Palm Beach Breathe Free
Dealing with seasonal allergies can be tricky and it can be difficult if you live in Florida, where allergies seem to be going around all year long.
At West Palm Beach Breathe Free, we are committed to helping our patients find relief and effectively manage their allergies. Book a consultation with us today and learn how you can keep your allergies at bay!
