For many years, people from the rest of the United States moved to the desert of the Southwest in hopes of escaping allergic reactions to the pollen of certain plants. Through the decades, these newcomers to the Southwest found their allergies were returning, as they developed reactions to local plants. And in no season did they suffer more than in spring, when most plants produce pollen.
Sources of Spring Allergens
Three of the most prolific producers of spring allergens in our region are juniper, poplar, and ash. We encounter the pollen from these trees when we go outside, while the pollen makes its way indoors on our clothes and pets or whenever we leave windows and doors open. Pollen contributes to our indoor air quality, just as other pollutants such as mold, pet dander, and dust do.
What’s more, with spring and warm weather arriving earlier and earlier, so do we find that spring allergens are in the air earlier, giving us allergy sufferers fits.
What to Do About Indoor Pollen
You may never keep all pollen out of your home, but you can take steps to diminish it. Here are some things to do:
- Brush your clothes off before you enter the home or take them off and put them in a bag, tying them up tightly until you can wash them in warm water. Take them to the laundry room right away.
- Wipe your shoes on a doormat and leave them by the door.
- Cover your hair when you go outside. Wash your hair before going to bed, or you will contaminate your pillow.
- Brush pets off before they enter your home.
- Keep doors and windows closed.
- Use a good quality air filter that will trap pollen as air is drawn into the HVAC system.
- Look into having a whole-home air-purification system installed. Portable air purifiers may also work. Some types of air-purification systems require that you wash the filters or plates regularly, or they will not be effective.
To learn more about spring allergens, contact Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company, serving Yuma since 1952.
