Few would argue that it’s about time Spring has sprung in the U.S. However, for allergy sufferers, this time of year has its own short-comings.

Allergies can certainly sap the joy of Spring right out of a person. But, there are some great advice out there to make the season bearable for sufferers.

Tree pollen — which can travel through the air up to 200 miles — is typically the first to emerge after the long winter and many areas in the U.S. are currently registering ‘very high’ readings.

Here are some tips to reduce the affects of allergies:

It’s a good idea for allergy sufferers to switch allergy medications frequently, as long-term use of the same medication can build up the body’d tolerance, making the drug ineffective.

It’s also not a great idea to take antihistamines everyday. It’s better to wait until it’s really needed — again, the effectiveness of the drug loses its potency if taken everyday.

Nasal sprays can take a couple of weeks before the medication begins to work, so don’t give up on them if you feel like it’s just not working and start using them early-on so they can build up in your system.

Some foods should be avoided to alleviate symptoms. Some fruits contain similar proteins to pollen, which can cause allergy symptoms. It might be a good idea to avoid apples and melons, for example.

Although it’s impossible to avoid allergies entirely, people can reduce the effects of allergies by avoiding them as much as possible.

It’s good to avoid the outdoors between 5 to 10 a.m as pollen counts are typically the highest during these hours. If you must be outdoors in the morning, take frequent showers and change your clothes often to wash off the pollen.

You can also check daily pollen counts and avoid stepping outdoors too often if the count is extremely high.

Keeping the inside of your home pollen-free is important. You can ensure a lower interior pollen count by keeping your windows closed and changing your air conditioning filters often.

Some natural alternatives might be effective as well. According to several studies, a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids can reduce allergy symptoms.

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