Spring and summer bring sun, leafy trees, and flowers. But, this time of year is also prime allergy season when many people experience hay fever. Fortunately, your pharmacy will likely stock various remedies to alleviate hay fever symptoms such as watery or burning eyes, sneezing, congestion, and headaches. The staff at Medical Center Pharmacy in Statesboro, GA, recommend the following tips to minimize your seasonal allergies.

How to Reduce Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

1. Keep Indoor Air Clean

Get a head start on your allergy relief by keeping your indoor air as clean as possible. Consider installing a HEPA — high-efficiency particulate air — filter in your HVAC system to help keep airborne allergens down. Dust and vacuum regularly — you can also find vacuums with HEPA filters. If you live in a moist climate, you may want to use a dehumidifier to keep the air dry and minimize mold growth. If your house is as allergen-free as possible, then you’ll feel at home.

2. Reduce Exposure

If possible, stay indoors on days when the pollen count is high or conditions are windy and dry. Let someone else weed your garden and mow your lawn to reduce exposure to pollen and other plant-based allergens. Don’t hang your laundry to dry on high pollen days. If you must go outside, use a pollen mask. And, keep doors and windows closed on windy or high-pollen days.

3. Try the Natural Approach

If you’ve had allergies for years and want to be free of medication, you may need to make some bigger lifestyle shifts. One step is to eat an anti-inflammatory diet. If you suffer from chronic inflammation, your immune system is weakened, and you become more prone to allergies and diseases. Other natural approaches can include eating local raw honey to help increase your body’s tolerance for local pollen or use a neti pot for saline nasal irrigation. Check your pharmacy for a neti pot kit that will include the salt and instructions for use.

Seasonal allergies don’t have to keep you indoors. Medical Center Pharmacy stocks OTC remedies for allergy care and fills prescriptions. With their help, you’ll be comfortable all year. They also offer immunizations, seasonal flu shots, and diabetes products and care. Call (912) 764-5643 to order a prescription or visit their website to learn more about the products they sell.