It Takes A Week-Long Frost To Kill Off All The Pollen Outside!

You may think since we have had temperatures dipping below freezing a few times already that all of the pollen is gone.  It takes a week-long frost to kill off all the pollen outside.

In Virginia, we have not reached a full week of below freezing (32 degrees or lower) in the past two years.  It may have teetered around freezing, but it always warmed up within a few days.

That is one of the reasons allergies have seemed so bad in this area for the past couple years.  The weather never really killed off all the pollen.

This year, I am hearing that we will have a cold winter.  This is great news for those who suffer from outdoor allergies!

If you still have allergy issues after a full week of below freezing weather, than most likely you may also have indoor, or year-round, allergies.

Year-round allergies consist of dust mites, cockroaches, mold and pet dander.  If you have indoor allergies, you will most likely need to take allergy medicine year-round.

10 Tips To Reduce Allergens In Your Home

1. Avoid apples, bananas, peaches and plums if you are allergic to grass or tree pollen. They can cause the same reaction as if you were near grass or trees.
2. Use non-toxic cleaners to clean your house.  Most cleaners contain heavy scents and toxic fumes that can irritate your nasal passage and lungs.
3. Throw your pillow out at least every three years.  Dust mites are attracted to the stuffing in pillows.  You don't want that next to your face all night!
4. Wash your hands after touching a dog or cat.  There are no hypo-allergenic breeds of animals.  The allergen does not come from their fur, but it does come from their dead skin (dander).  You would have to find a skinless cat or dog for it to be hypo-allergenic and that is just not possible.
5. Use a nylon shower curtain.  Vinyl shower curtains emit toxic odors and mold and mildew is attracted to vinyl.
6. Look for mold in the refrigerator, garbage, on the air-conditioning system and in your dishwasher.  It can be anywhere where there is moisture.
7. Freeze your stuffed animals.  Dust mites are attracted to the stuffing.  Either freeze the stuffed animals in a zip-lock bag for 24 hours at least once a month or wash and dry them.  
8. Watch the ingredients in sunscreens, moisturizers and make-up if you have sensitive skin.  Look for parabens-free or hypoallergenic formulas.
9. If you have carpet, consider replacing it with wood or tile flooring.  Carpet is a great place for dust mites, mold, pollen and dander to hide.  If you decide to keep your carpets and rugs, vacuum regularly with a good HEPA filter.
10. Take your shoes off when you enter the house and wash your hands.  Get all the pollen off of you when you enter your house.