Self-Care

Avoiding allergens and irritants isn't always practical or possible, so keep these self-care measures up your sleeve to help alleviate uncomfortable symptoms:

• Use a saline nasal spray or rinse to help clear your nose of mucus and irritating allergens. Here's how to do it.
• Take a shower or go for a swim to wash pollen from your skin and hair. But keep in mind that chlorine may make allergy symptoms worse for some people, so opt for a dip in the ocean or in a stream, lake, or saltwater pool.
• Drink lots of fluids. Staying well hydrated helps keep the lining of your nose and sinuses moist and healthy and in good working order.
• Steam away stuffiness. Breathing in steam -- in a hot shower or over a bowl of hot water -- may provide temporary relief by opening stuffed sinuses and promoting drainage.
• Use a cold compress or chilled gel mask to soothe itchy, irritated eyes.