If you are an allergy sufferer and have noticed that your allergies are more severe this year, you would be correct and you are not alone in your misery. The increased severity of spring allergies is due in part to the El Nino weather pattern. The reason for this is because the United States had a wet winter that followed several years of drought and this year's El Nino season is the strongest one since 1998.
If you are in the throes of allergy symptoms, there are steps you can take to help reduce your symptoms:
- Take advantage of using your air conditioning and keep your windows shut to help reduce the amount of pollen in your home. Be sure and have a good filter for your central air unit.
- Do not hang your laundry outside to dry. Forgo that "outdoor fresh" scent because pollen and other allergy irritants cling to the wet clothes.
- Consult your physician and see what is recommended in over-the-counter antihistamines to reduce your allergy symptoms.
