The 6 worst allergies mistakes

When spring arrives and trees and flowers start spreading their pollen, more people than usual are susceptible to allergies. Sometimes we can find that last year we were perfectly fine and this year we have itchy eyes and stuffy nose every time we go out. 

Part of the problem might be our cluelessness, so here are 6 mistakes people make when it comes to allergies, and the smart ways to avoid them. 

1. Leaving Windows opened: Make it a rule to keep your windows closed and the air conditioner on when it's pollen season. 

Be sure to set the AC to "recirculate," and if it’s not hot outside, you can keep it in filter-only mode. Using an air conditioner in your car can cut the amount of pollen you breathe by as much as 30%, says Myngoc Nguyen, MD, chief of allergy at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Northern California.

2. Exercising at the wrong time:  If you love an outdoor workout, avoid the morning or early afternoon. 

Grasses and trees start releasing pollen at sunrise, with levels peaking in the late morning and early afternoon. "I always suggest people run after work in the late afternoon or evening," she Dr. Nguyen. 

Exercising when pollen counts are lower, Dr. Rosenstreich agrees, "can make an enormous difference." And if pollen counts are going to be high on a given day, opt for a less strenuous workout.

3. Stuffed with dust: Stuffed animals are cute, cuddly, and unfortunately, major magnets for dust, a common allergy trigger.

If your child has piles of fluffy friends, and he or she—or anyone in the household—has allergies, you’re better off storing or giving them away. (Many charities collect stuffed animals to give to needy kids, or even as puppy play toys.) 

It's best to limit youngsters to a select few, which can be occasionally washed, rather than a whole collection, Dr. Rosenstreich says.

4. You ignore symptoms: Adults can become allergic to pets or pollen after years of allergy-free living.

If you need antibiotics for sinusitis every spring, you may have a pollen allergy, says Dr. Nguyen, who recommends a visit to the allergist. "Repeated use of antibiotics is not necessary, can lead to drug allergy, and doesn’t help the pollen allergy," she says. 

You can become allergic to a pet and not know it because symptoms are subtle and chronic. If you’ve got allergy-ish symptoms that never go away, get it checked out.

5. You’re down with down: Love that cozy comforter? It might be trouble, particularly if you’ve had it for a long time.

Feathers can be very allergenic, and become even more so as they age and break down, says Dr. Rosenstreich. "I’ll have people tell me, 'I’ve had this feather pillow for 40 years, I brought it from Romania, it's never bothered me before,'" he adds. "That’s precisely the point." 

Synthetic pillow stuffing, like polyester fiberfill, is a better choice for people with allergies. You can make your pillows even less sneeze-inducing by getting dust mite-proof covers for them (and while you’re at it, for your mattress).

6. You sleep with your pet: It may seem sweet to snooze with your pup or kitty at night, but it's not a great idea if you have allergies.

Even if you’re not allergic to animals, pets can bring in pollen, dust, mold, and other allergens from the outdoors, Dr. Rosenstreich notes. It’s best to avoid letting your dog or cat hang out on your bed. 

"Your bedroom should essentially be an allergy-free zone," he says. For the same reason, you’re better off with bare floors in the bedroom, or only using a rug or two that you can throw in the wash periodically.

Do you have any allergies? How do you cope with them? Do you think you've become allergic to something you weren't? 

Don't be afraid to share your experiences with the rest of the members.