Best Ways to Manage Seasonal Allergies in Central Florida

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology runs the National Allergy Bureau, which reports pollen and mold counts from certified counting stations. Local weather apps and pollen.com also post daily forecasts. On high days, move yard work or long walks to a lower day or wear a mask.

• ACAAI: tree and grass pollen tend to peak in the evening; ragweed peaks in the morning
• Delegate mowing if you can, or wear a mask while you mow

The ACAAI advises keeping windows and doors closed during allergy season. Your air conditioning filter does the rest. The EPA suggests a filter rated at least MERV 13, or as high as your system fan and filter slot can handle.

• Ask an HVAC technician before jumping to a much thicker filter
• Change filters on schedule; Florida systems run most of the year
• Keep car windows up and set the AC to recirculate

Pollen sticks to hair, skin and clothes. The ACAAI recommends showering and changing clothes after outdoor activity so you do not carry pollen into bed.

• Leave shoes at the door
• Wash bedding weekly in hot water
• Wipe down pets after walks on high-count days

Saline rinses with a neti pot or squeeze bottle can flush out pollen and mucus. The FDA warns that tap water is not safe for nasal rinsing because it can carry organisms that cause rare but serious infections.

• Use distilled or sterile water, or tap water boiled 3-5 minutes and cooled to lukewarm
• Wash and dry the device between uses
• Saline sprays are a simpler option you can use often

The ACAAI calls intranasal corticosteroids the single most effective drug class for nasal allergies. Several are sold over the counter. They are meant to be used every day, not just on bad days.

• Nasal decongestant sprays should be used only a few days at a time; longer use causes rebound congestion
• Ask your doctor before using decongestant pills if you have high blood pressure

Newer, second-generation antihistamines such as loratadine, cetirizine and fexofenadine work well with fewer side effects than older ones. The American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria advise older adults to avoid first-generation antihistamines such as diphenhydramine except for severe allergic reactions, because of the risk of confusion, falls and urinary retention.

• Many nighttime cold and sleep products contain diphenhydramine; check the label
• Fexofenadine can be affected by grapefruit juice
• Ask a pharmacist which option fits your other medicines

Allergists recommend starting medicines about two weeks before your symptoms usually begin. The AAAAI notes that hay fever medicines work best when started before symptoms develop. If oak season wrecks you every February, start in January.

• Keep a simple symptom log for one year to find your pattern
• Keep taking your medicine through the season, not just on bad days
• Tell your doctor if your pattern changes

If you sneeze even when pollen counts are low, mold may be part of the problem. Fix leaks promptly, run bathroom and kitchen fans, and use AC or a dehumidifier to keep humidity at 50% or lower, as the CDC suggests.

• After a storm or roof leak, dry wet areas quickly
• People with asthma can have severe reactions to mold

Over-the-counter medicines are designed for milder allergies. If they are not enough, a primary care visit can sort out allergies from infection, adjust treatment, and arrange allergy testing and allergy shots or tablets through a specialist referral. Allergy immunotherapy is typically continued for several years.

• Wheezing, chest tightness or a cough that will not quit can signal asthma; see asthma and COPD care
• CDC: see a doctor for sinus symptoms lasting more than 10 days, fever longer than 3-4 days, or symptoms that get worse after improving
• For a new cough, fever or sinus pain, book a sick visit