Coping With Spring Allergies During Tough Times

Posted: May 18, 2020

As if fear of the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t enough to worry about, spring allergies have piled another misery on to all of you in the Delaware Valley who suffer from this ailment. The problem is especially exasperated because most of us are spending the majority of our time stuck inside our homes.

But there is some good news. Just as we follow social distancing and the wearing of face masks to ward off the deadly coronavirus, there are also smart strategies you can employ to greatly alleviate your suffering.

Here are some tips, courtesy of the IAQ experts here at Wilson Oil and Propane.

Minimize exposure to allergy triggers

• Limit your time outdoors on dry, windy days.
• Delegate gardening chores that stir up allergens.
• Remove and clean clothing that you’ve worn outdoors.
• After spending time outside, shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
• Don’t hang laundry to dry outside — pollen can stick to sheets and towels.

Take extra precautions when pollen counts are high

• If high pollen counts are forecast, take allergy medications before your symptoms start.
• Close doors and windows at night, or when pollen counts are high.
• Minimize outdoor activity (such as walking or jogging) in the early morning, when pollen counts are highest.

Keep indoor air clean

• Use air conditioning in your house and car.
• Clean floors often with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter.
• Use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from your indoor air.
• Consider adding a whole house indoor air quality system such as an air cleaner or UV light.

Maintain your HVAC equipment

The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in your home can produce and spread mold and other allergens, so maintaining your HVAC systems properly is a key to keeping your home air healthy. If you haven’t done it yet this year, schedule your air conditioning maintenance for the cooling season.

Change your HVAC filters regularly

Keeping your air conditioning and furnace filters clean can make a big difference in managing your allergy symptoms. Follow manufacturer’s filter cleaning and maintenance instructions to minimize exposure to allergens from your HVAC system. Be sure to use the right filter for your equipment –consult your owner’s manual to find the range of filters that is right for your heating or cooling system. If you need help figuring out which filter works best for your needs, contact us.

Keep your allergy-suffering at bay this season with indoor air quality solutions from Wilson Oil and Propane. Read more about indoor air quality. and then contact us to set up an appointment with one of our IAQ experts.

Please note: At Wilson Oil and Propane, your safety and comfort are always our priority. Please see our COVID-19 Service Update page to learn about how we are working to keep our crews and your home cooling and heating systems working through this challenging time.