Did You Know?…Outdoor Activities During Allergy Season
- Running increases the respiratory rate. The faster you move through the air, the more airborne pollens and mold spores strike your face and are inhaled, and the greater your chance of an allergic reaction.
- Do not plan workouts when pollen counts are at their highest, generally between 5:00 am and 10:00 am.
- Pollen counts are usually highest on warm, dry, breezy days and lower on rainy, cooler days.
- Determine your personal pollen tolerance level by monitoring the pollen count and your symptoms.
- Although airborne pollen can travel miles, the farther you are from the source of the pollen, the better. If you can, choose running routes that avoid trees, grass, flowers; run on asphalt instead of grass; run on a treadmill on high pollen count days.
- The extra adrenaline your body produces while you are working out can dampen the allergic response, at least while you are exercising. This means your worst symptoms may occur after, instead of during, your workout.
- To reduce the risk of post-workout attacks, take a shower, wash your hair, and clean your clothes as soon as possible after working out outdoors.
- Proper medication, taken regularly, can help prevent an allergy attack. Nasal sprays can help when started at least 24 hours before a workout.
- Skin testing in a qualified allergist’s office can determine what substances you are allergic to.
- Only a board certified allergist has the advanced training and specialized equipment necessary to offer you the best treatment options for your allergic conditions.
