Good hygiene practices help prevent both seasonal allergy attacks and colds, particularly showering for allergies and hand-washing for colds.
“I tell people who are allergic to pollen, if you’ve been outdoors for a while, get inside, get out of those clothes, and get in the shower to get that pollen off of you,” says Kimura.
Unlike colds, allergies are not contagious so people don’t have to worry about infecting others. But since allergic reactions put a strain on the immune system, “I tell people with allergies that they are also a magnet for respiratory infections,” Lopes says. “So you could have both allergies and a cold at the same time.”
How to Prevent Allergy Attacks
- Remove clothes you’ve worn outside and shower.
- Avoid lawn mowing and other outdoor chores that stir up pollen.
- Limit outdoor activity in the mornings, when pollen counts are highest.
- Stay indoors on dry, windy days when more pollen is in the air.
- Stay indoors when pollen counts are high. (Check pollen counts at websites such as Pollen.com.)
- Take allergy medications before symptoms start.
- Use air conditioning and consider getting a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
- Keep windows closed during pollen seasons.
“People with allergies may be tempted to crack a window at night when it’s cool,” says Kimura. “I tell them they might as well drag their bed outside and sleep under a tree. If your window is open at all, allergens can get in.”
How to Prevent Colds
- Wash hands often.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
- Don’t share personal items.
- Avoid being in crowded indoor spaces during the colder months.
- Wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces during the colder months.
