Expect a Severe Allergy Season this Year

Experts predict that this is going to be one of the worst allergy seasons we have seen in awhile.

A late spring and lots of rain have given plants more time to grow than usual—meaning more pollen over a longer period of time.

Utah experiences three pollen seasons: tree, grass, and ragweed. Usually they don’t overlap, but longer seasons means that there won’t be anytime between seasons this year. Unfortunately allergy sufferers aren’t going to get much of a break.

If somebody in your family suffers from allergies, here are some steps you can take to make life a little easier.

1. Try to stay in doors as much as possible, especially on windy days. If you do go outside, change your clothes, wash them right away, and if possible take a shower. This will help keep the pollen out of your house.

2. Keep the windows closed and turn on the air conditioner. Make sure you change out the filter monthly.

3. Cut your lawn short and don’t let it go to seed.

4. Take a shower every night and change your bedding often.

5. If needed, try over-the-counter antihistamines. Make sure that they are age appropriate for your child by consulting with your pediatrician. Don’t take them more than two days in a row or your body could build up a tolerance.

6. If your symptoms are severe, you can consider allergy shots. Taken over a period of 3 to 5 years, the shots help preprogram a person’s immune system.