Simple Family Routines That Make Allergy Season Easier

How we Manage Multiple Allergies

Are you managing at least one allergy? For as long as I can remember, I’ve struggled with seasonal allergies. It wasn’t until I moved to Georgia for undergrad that I realized not all regions, routines, medicines are created equally. I suffered for years before I finally got my allergies to down to a manageable level. Because of my own allergies, I just always assumed my children would have them too. Sure enough, both of my girls suffer from seasonal allergies and so creating routines and finding solutions that work well for my family has been a priority for us.

Seasonal allergies can feel really overwhelming. The itchy eyes, sneezing fits, stuffy noses and anxious kids can be tough to navigate, but it doesn’t have to limit your family’s quality of life.  With a few simple routines, you can manage your family’s allergies. Here are some routines that work well for my family. Maybe they will work for yours too!

Here is a helpful resource that addresses allergy symptoms, treatments and management.

Our Family Allergy Routines

After School.

As soon as we walk into the house, my children call me crazy lady because I immediately start sharing reminders to ensure we keep our home as allergen free as possible. To the average person, it may seem like a bit much, but to the parents whose family has allergies, we all know how important the little things are. Our first things are:

• Hand Washing. Everyone should wash their hands, but we make sure the kids do as soon as they get home from school. It helps reduce the germs and allergens.
• Shoes Off. As soon as we enter the house everyone takes off their shoes and leaves them near the door. Removing shoes helps reduce pollen and other allergy inducing elements from getting tracked inside. Plus, it keeps other yuckiness out of the home too.

Morning Allergy Routine

During peak seasons, like mid-spring through summer, we check the pollen count before we go to school/outside and that informs whether we use a non-prescription nasal saline. The morning rundown also lets us know if we should expect nose blowing and itchy, runny eyes. It takes less than 2 minutes to check the weather app on your phone, but it can help you prepare for the day. We recently found out that our school nurse also checks it each day and she will advise the teachers on her recommendation for children who have documented allergies. So far, my children haven’t had to miss recess, but its good know that someone is monitoring it.  

Evening Allergy Routine

Before bed we use our nasal spray and our inhaler as prescribed. Then we turn on the humidifier, and keep the temperature cool, but not cold. We’ve learned that our daughter breathes better when its cooler.

Weekly/Biweekly Deep Cleans for Peak Allergy Seasons

I realize our privilege here, but we have home cleaners who come every other week. On their off weeks, we clean and we dust and wash all throw blankets and sometimes curtains. Outside of that, we also vacuum/sweep every night and wipe down all services multiple times each day.

Filters, Air Purifiers and Humidifiers.

We installed a whole home MERV 11 (FPR 8-9, MPR 1550) air filter that we change every 3 months. So far, the efficiency of this filter has worked well, and has reduced some of the allergic rhinitis symptoms we experience during peak pollen/dogwood season in Northern Virginia. When we were first searching for the bet filter, I came across this site so I’m sharing in case it is useful for you to. Here, you can find a basic breakdown of some of the most popular filters.

We also have small air purifiers in my daughters room, our bedroom and in the main living room. In addition to the air purifiers, we have a humidifier that we run each night, especially in the winter. It helps keep my daughters sinus issues at bay.

Your first thought might be that you don’t want to add anything else into your routines, but children thrive on routines and for us we think it’s best to get our oldest daughter used to these things so she knows who to properly care for herself as she gets older. Even an imperfect routine could be better than no routine.

Allergy season may never be easy, but these little routines help my family breathe easier, literally and emotionally. What’s one allergy routine that works for your family? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments.

💛💛

Andronica

Want to read more on this topic? Here is more info about Back to School Tips for Allergy Parents.