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Your clothes -

Pollen can easily get stuck to your clothes when you're out and about. Then you bring all those irritants home and spread them around.

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Your clothes -

To stop the proliferation of any potential allergens, change your clothes as soon as you get home, and wash them in hot water.

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Certain types of fruits and vegetables -

Certain raw produce, like apples, tomatoes, and celery, have a protein on the surface that the body can confuse with pollen. It’s called oral allergy syndrome and can lead to an itchy throat and mouth.

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Certain types of fruits and vegetables -

Peeling and cooking these foods may help, but some people will need to avoid them entirely.

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Stress -

Research shows that stress is bad news for allergy sufferers. A 2021 study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences suggests that hormones related to stress stimulate mast cell production, the cells associated with allergic inflammation in the nose.

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Stress -

When you don't feel well and you're anxious, that's when your symptoms tend to be worse. The good news is that relaxing can help against this trigger.

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Perfume and scented candles -

Products containing added fragrance can irritate the lining of the eyelids and nasal passages.

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Perfume and scented candles -

That includes perfume, scented candles, incense, and holiday decorations. Try to go au naturel until allergy season is over.

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Contact lenses -

Ditch the contacts and reach for your glasses during allergy season. This is because lenses might accidentally trap pollen in your eyes, which causes irritation.

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Contact lenses -

If you don’t want to give up your contacts, opt for hard ones instead of the softer styles, or try the disposable options.

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Alcohol -

Alcohol, and red wine in particular, can make allergies worse. While all booze acts as a vasodilator, meaning it widens blood vessels, which can lead to a runny nose, red wine is especially problematic, as it’s so high in sulfites.

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Alcohol -

Sulfites are compounds that actually cause an allergic reaction. These compounds occur naturally in both beer and wine.

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Taking the wrong medication -

With dozens of drugs to choose from, the allergy meds aisle at the pharmacy can be overwhelming. And then, the majority of them are lumped into one of three categories: antihistamines, decongestants, and corticosteroids.

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Taking the wrong medication -

An antihistamine typically relieves sneezing, itchiness, and runny nose, while decongestants combat congestion from swollen nasal passages. Corticosteroids relieve swelling and itchiness. However, do see an allergist if bothersome symptoms persist.

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Chlorine -

Just like candles and perfume, swimming in or just sitting by a chlorinated pool can be just as bad for your allergies. Chlorine is an irritating gas and will do the same thing that fumes will.

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Chlorine -

Also, beware of cleaning products that contain bleach. Though the concentration is less than that in a pool, it may be enough to be an irritant for some people.

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Skimping on showers -

Pollen doesn't just cling to your clothes. It also sticks to skin and hair. So keep that in mind next time you're thinking about skimping on your shower!

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Skimping on showers -

If you're waking stuffed up every morning, taking a shower before bed may help wash away the allergens from your body.

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Your pets -

Even if you're not allergic to your furry friend, your pets can still cause an allergy flare by taking pollen indoors on their paws and/or fur.

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Your pets -

Therefore, you might want to wipe them off a bit when they come back inside.

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Air pollution -

Hot, humid weather increases atmospheric ozone pollution throughout the warmer months. This can cause coughing and chest pain in anyone who is exposed to it, especially people with asthma and allergies.

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Air pollution -

Dust in the air can also cause problems. Especially if forced air, like the one coming from a fan, sets dust off.

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Making your bed -

Indoor allergens like dust mites thrive in the confines of bedding and mattresses. So by making your bed, you're literally tucking them into their dream home.

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Making your bed -

If you can, air out the sheets and allow natural sunlight to dry them out. It will then be harder for these microorganisms and allergens to survive.

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Raking leaves -

This fall activity can be a trigger if you're sensitive to mold. Mold loves damp areas, so if you rake leaves, you're going to move a lot of mold around.

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Raking leaves -

Mold may also be to blame for allergy symptoms while you mow the lawn. People often think they're having a grass allergy, but if it's during the fall, then it's more likely an allergy to mold.

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Weather -

Your allergies are likely to be worse on dry, sunny, and windy days when trees release pollen into the air and spread it around.

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Weather -

Also, drizzly and overcast days can also trigger symptoms. Light rain stirs up the pollen in the air, causing it to rupture and disperse the tiny particles.

Sources: (PureWow) (Health.com)

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