Lawn weeds are certainly nasty and unpleasant, but they can make you feel miserable, too.
People with seasonal allergies will tell you how wretched this time of year is for them. Pollen counts are highest in spring, and many people suffer so much they can’t enjoy the lovely weather. Some of the worst offenders include dandelions, thistle, ragweed, aster, lambsquarters, clover and pigweed.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America estimates that 40 million Americans have seasonal allergies, and spring is the worst time of year for sufferers. However, there is hope. There are many ways to reduce the symptoms or avoid the effects of seasonal allergies altogether.
Know the Signs
WebMD.com lists some of the most common symptoms of grass pollen allergies, including:
- Red, itchy, watery eyes
- Dry cough/sore throat
- Sneezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Runny nose and congestion
Help Your Grass Help You
One of the best ways you can combat seasonal allergies is to grow a strong, thick lawn. Thick grass traps dust, dirt and extra pollen floating by. Mow your lawn at the highest setting for your grass type; doing so will deprive weeds’ seeds of their sunlight and keep them from sprouting. Husqvarna has resources for you to check your lawn type and learn what type of mower will best suit your lawn.
What You Can Do
Although there is no cure for allergies, you can reduce their effects.
- Stay away from grassy, weeded areas. When suffering is at its peak, try to simply move from your car to whatever indoor public building you need to enter (work, school, library, stores, etc.) back to your car, and then to home, restaurant or elsewhere
- Caulk windows and doors to keep pollen out
- Buy an indoor air filter that’s designed to provide allergy relief
- Stay away from freshly cut grass and other situations in which pollen has been stirred up.
- Treat your allergies naturally. The consistent use of a Neti pot for nasal irrigation can provide relief by washing away pollen that may be stuck in your sinuses
- Keep an eye on sites like Pollen.com to gauge the pollen count from day to day, and sign up for pollen alerts from The Weather Channel. These can be sent to you via email or text message
- Pollen counts are usually lower in the late afternoon, so if you must be outdoors, plan to do so at this time. It’s best, however, to simply stay indoors.
Allergy Capitals 2013
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) put together a list entitled “Allergy Capitals 2013” which identifies the 100 worst cities to live in if you have springtime allergies.
The AAFA looked at pollen scores, patient use of allergy medicines and the number of allergy doctors in the area. According to their research, here are the country’s top 10 cities to avoid if you are an allergy sufferer:
- Jackson, Miss.
- Knoxville, Tenn.
- Chattanooga, Tenn.
- McAllen, Texas
- Louisville, Ky.
- Wichita, Kan.
- Dayton, Ohio
- Memphis, Tenn.
- Oklahoma City, Okla.
- Baton Rouge, La.
For allergy sufferers, spring is a tough season to get through, no matter what part of the country you live in. Find out what makes you the most comfortable, take over-the-counter allergy medicines as needed and do your best to stay out of dusty and windy areas, where pollens and spores can be numerous. If these tips don’t help, it may be time to visit an allergist.
