Tips For Allergy Relief

Every year when farmers begin to harvest grain, I begin to sneeze. It is part of living in Southern Idaho.

If harvest season is bothering you, check out these tips:

1. Leave your shoes at the door.

Your shoes can contain pollen on them. You may also want to wipe down your dog's coat before he comes into the house, too, because pollen clings to fur.

2. Wash your hair before bed.

Your hair collects pollen throughout the day. If you go to bed with pollen in you hair, the pollen will transfer to your pillow causing you to sneeze in the night.

3. Close your windows

Open windows can be refreshing, but they let in pollen.

4. Use the ''recirculate" option in the car.

Keep windows and sunroofs closed. Especially on high-pollen days, recirculate the air in your car instead of using the vent, which may let in pollen. Use the air conditioner and adjust the temperature to your comfort.

5. Service the filters in your furnace and air conditioner.

Change them at the intervals recommended by the manufacturer, or more frequently if it seems to help.

6. Adjust your indoor humidity level.

According to webmd, if spores from mold cause your allergies, aim for a humidity level of less than 60%. Consider buying a digital thermometer with a humidity gauge, available for about $20 or less.

You may need a dehumidifier to get a level lower than 50%.

Set up the dehumidifier on the main living level of the house, if your house has more than one story.

7. Use Peppermint essential oil on your sinuses, the roof of your mouth and diffuse it in the air to clear sinuses.