With spring officially upon us and pollen season revving up, now’s a good time to remind ourselves about how to protect ourselves from pollen exposure and how to use the knowledge of pollen counts to our advantage.

As Understanding the Pollen Count describes, "Similar to a weather forecast, a pollen forecast is a prediction of future pollen levels and helps allergy sufferers plan their outdoor activities and medication regimens. Specific for geographical regions, pollen forecasts take into account pollen counts, temperatures, precipitation, weather forecasts, and other natural events."

By checking the pollen forecast during spring allergy season, you know what days it might be best to stay indoors altogether, and you're aware of how much precaution you will need to take against the pollen exposure that's unavoidable. Pollen.com is an excellent resource, providing you with maps of the National Allergy Forecast and a place to input your zip code for specific pollen count information in your area, among other tools.

During high pollen count season, keep the following in mind in order to limit your exposure and keep symptoms to a minimum through allergen avoidance:

• Remember that pollen counts are worst in the morning and lowest after a rainfall, so try to perform your outdoor activities accordingly.
• Shower after going outdoors because airborne pollen will stick to your clothing, hair, and skin. Be aware that pets bring pollen indoors as well.
• Wear an allergy relief mask when gardening.
• Use a HEPA air purifier to filter pollen from your indoor air.
• Be sure to place window filters in any open windows.>
• Vacuum often to rid carpeting of tracked-in pollen.