Southeast Ohio is a gorgeous place – wildflowers, wildlife, forests, amazing geological sites like Hocking Hills – nothing’s quite like the foothills of Appalachia. But all that nature comes with a bunch of pollen, which makes allergy season an entire situation.
We’ve got tree, flower, grass, and weed pollen flying all around, which leads to runny noses, watery eyes, congestion, sneezing, and even transient symptoms of asthma. Now, all this powder flying through the air is a good thing – it means our ecosystem is working the way it should. But the intensity also means that absolutely anyone can be affected by allergy season, even if you’re not technically allergic.
On top of that, for our student population, it’s sometimes even worse because they don’t live here full-time; their bodies don’t see Athens’ pollen as native, so they can never get “used” to it. Did you know that was a thing? Yeah – neither did we. Sounds a bit petty of Mother Nature, no?
Anyway, there are some things you can do to lessen the impact of all that pollen floating around.
- Go to the Athens Farmers Market and get some local honey! This is a great little trick that can make you less reactive to the local pollen.
- Wear sunglasses more often. It can protect your eyes from contact with pollen. If you’re especially susceptible, break that COVID mask back out and wear it when you’re walking to and from class.
- Wash up each time you get home from being outside. It’ll eliminate residual pollen on you. So… maybe do your laundry more often, too. But don’t hang things to dry outside.
- Days that are windy aren’t the best idea for outdoor plans. Calm days that follow rain are the best times to be outside during allergy season.
- Vacuum your apartment more often. We see you.
- When you use your AC, set it to recirculate air so that it’s not pulling in that pollen-saturated air from outside. Don’t forget to do this in your car, too.
- There’s such a thing as pollen forecasts. If you know it’s going to be especially bad on a certain day, prepare by taking some antihistamines beforehand.
- Eat more pineapples! No, really. The bromelain in pineapples acts as an anti-inflammatory to your respiratory passages.
This isn’t all – there’s a bunch of strategies and natural remedies you can use to buff up your resistance to allergy season. The Mayo Clinic has a great page on allergy season, and Healthline has some good suggestions for natural remedies to pollen exposure.
How to Allergy-Proof Your Athens Apartment During Pollen Season
While you can't control the pollen levels outside, you can take steps to reduce the amount of allergens that make their way into your apartment. Creating an allergy-friendly living environment can help minimize symptoms and make your home more comfortable during peak allergy season in Athens.
- Keep windows closed on high-pollen days: Fresh air may be tempting, especially during mild spring weather, but open windows allow pollen to enter your apartment and settle on furniture, bedding, and floors. During periods of high pollen counts, keep windows and doors closed and rely on fans or air conditioning to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
- Create a shoe-free entryway: Pollen doesn't just travel through the air. It can also be tracked indoors on shoes, backpacks, and clothing. Consider leaving shoes near the entrance and encouraging roommates to do the same. This simple habit can significantly reduce the amount of pollen that gets carried throughout your living space.
- Wash bedding and towels regularly: Changing out bedding regularly is good hygiene practice and also helps remove irritants that collect over time. Since OU students spend many hours studying and sleeping in their bedrooms, keeping these spaces clean can have a noticeable impact on allergy symptoms.
- Vacuum and dust frequently: Pollen that enters your apartment often settles on carpets, furniture, and other surfaces. Vacuuming regularly and dusting common areas can help prevent allergens from building up. Pay special attention to high-traffic areas, fabric furniture, and spaces near windows and entryways.
- Replace or clean air filters: If your apartment has a heating or cooling system with accessible filters, make sure they are replaced or cleaned according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Clean filters help improve indoor air quality and prevent pollen, dust, and other particles from continuously circulating throughout the apartment. You can ask your landlord about how often air filters need to be replaced in your unit.
- Use an air purifier if possible: A portable air purifier with a HEPA filter can help remove airborne allergens from bedrooms and common areas. While not required, many students find that air purifiers provide additional relief during peak allergy seasons, especially when pollen levels are high.