Allergy season is here. Where did they come from and how to effectively prevent them?

An allergy is a disproportionate reaction of the immune system to various environmental substances that are completely harmless to most people. These substances are called allergens and are usually proteins of plant or animal origin. Prevention is an important weapon against allergies. 

Major population suffers from allergies 

Unpleasant reactions to allergens are experienced by many people, and the numbers are growing. According to data from Insurance Associations, the country's largest health insurance company, about a third of the population suffers from allergies, but the exact number is difficult to ascertain. Not everyone who has symptoms seeks professional help. In general, three out of ten visit an allergist. 

And what about the onset of pollen season? Although we usually associate it with flowering trees, it starts much earlier. Already at the end of January, alder and hazel pollen particles start flying. A more pronounced appearance of pollen allergens occurs in March, and those affected do not rest until October, when ragweed, wormwood and reeds say goodbye to the season. So how to prevent disproportionate reactions of the body? Here are 6 tips.

1. Choose the right medication

You may avoid allergy medications because you still remember antihistamines with significant side effects such as increased fatigue and drowsiness. This is no longer the case with prescription medicines, so you don't have to worry about taking them.

2. Check pollen reports

There are a number of sources to monitor pollen news. For example, you can try the website or mobile app: National Allergy Forecast & Info About Allergies | Pollen.com, which has many other useful features. 

If you equip your home with sensors that communicate with the smart cleaner, you can also set up different scenarios for its operation. For example, if you don't want to give up on opening a window completely, the cleaner can automatically start on multiple turns when you open the window, thus getting rid of the pollen that will flow in through the window. 

5. Your mucous membranes will appreciate the moist air

Another great help during this time of year for allergy sufferers are humidifiers. These will ensure a pleasant climate even behind closed windows, where the air is usually too dry thanks to radiator heating. And even that doesn't make breathing much easier for allergy sufferers. Choose from the smart ones made by Tesla, for example. You can connect one of these to your air purifier via an app, or set it to automatically start when you're approaching home, based on your mobile phone's position. 

6. Clean more often

Pollen particularly likes on windows and windowsills, so wash them regularly in season. Dusting more often is also a good idea, as is vacuuming floors, upholstery and other soft furnishings such as mattresses and beds. But whether or not you have a pet, a vacuum cleaner suitable for homes with four-legged friends is your best bet. As a rule, it is much more efficient than other vacuum cleaners. 

Anyone who suffers from allergies would probably be most pleased if they could cancel the next few weeks and move on smoothly to the time when the substances that cause burning mucous membranes and red eyes say goodbye again. Unfortunately, we can't do that. But if you follow our simple advice, we can promise you that you will find the next few weeks much more bearable.