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Spring has arrived in Georgia with flowering trees, flowers blooming, and a covering of yellow-green pollen over everything. Those with allergies may enjoy the beautiful surroundings, but suffer from sneezing, sniffling, and itchy, runny eyes.  If you’re not feeling your best, you can’t look your best. A red nose and blood shot eyes is not a good look for anyone.  Allergies result from an imbalance in the immune system that causes the body to react too strongly to stimuli; reactions that make one feel miserable. Let’s look at three simple ways to survive the spring allergy season.

1. AVOID BEING OUTSIDE, especially on days with a high pollen count. Make a habit to check the pollen count daily at weather.com. The pollen count is generally higher on dry, windy days and lowest on rainy days; so wish for April and May showers. Also, the most allergens are present between 5 am, and 10 am. On particularly bad days plan accordingly and reschedule outdoor activities.
2. LIMIT INDOOR EXPOSURE TO POLLEN. Although it may be tempting to let in some fresh air, keep the windows and doors closed to reduce allergy symptoms. A shower at night is highly recommended to remove pollen from your hair and skin to avoid pollen on your sheets; otherwise, you’ll wake up with a stuffy nose. Be sure to wash your sheets in hot water weekly. Also, dust with a damp mop and cloth for better pollen pick up and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
3. CONSUME A VARIED DIET with fermented foods. New research links the presence of beneficial bacteria in the gut with a reduced incidence of allergies. A diet that includes fermented foods, yogurt, and local honey, from as close as possible to where you live is recommended along with a probiotic. Drinking three glasses of water with one teaspoon of organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar daily can also reduce allergy symptoms.

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