Page 4 - May Newsletter

Family & Consumer Science By: Melinda Daily
Spring is Here
Let’s Enjoy the Outdoors!
Seasonal Allergies
New seasons brings on new outdoor activities, and
for some, seasonal allergies. Allergies can affect
people at different times. When is allergy season
for you? For some it can be several times and for
others maybe just one season.
Warmer weather might be a welcome change, but
make sure you’re prepared for spring’s biggest out-
door allergy trigger: tree pollen. It comes around as
the first big seasonal allergen to hit the air. Find an
easy-to-use app that offers weather and allergy
forecasts for your area by using your zip code for
updates in your current location. The app might
give you some allergy tips to help you feel your
best or maybe even a simple allergy symptom
tracker. It will also give you the top pollens in the
air for that day.
Stay on top of daily pollen counts so that you know
which trees, such as cedar, maple, or pine, might
cause you to sneeze and sniffle during the spring.
From spring to summer allergies. Summer is all
about being outside and having fun! Many things in
nature are pollinating during the summer season.
The major seasonal allergy trigger is grass pollen.
Plan ahead; avoid cutting the lawn on days you’ll
entertain or relax outdoors. To help with the pol-
lens you should wear a mask when it’s time to do
yard work—even better have someone else take
over these chores if you have allergies.
Pollen is plant material that is usually generated by
outdoor plants. It enters the house through open
doors and windows, through cracks, on shoes and
clothing, or can be brought in by pets. Persons sen-
sitive to pollen may need to keep doors and win-
dows closed during warm weather. Use an air con-
ditioner to stay comfortable and do not dry sheets
or air bedding out-of-doors when pollen levels are
high.
Persons allergic to pets are sensitive to the animal
dander and saliva attached to dander and hair that is
shed by their pets. The animal dander and hair ac-
cumulate most heavily in places where the animal
sleeps such as on upholstered surfaces and carpet-
ing. When these surfaces are disturbed—as when
walking on the carpeting—the particles become
airborne.
Allergies to pets may be relieved by removing pets
from the home or keeping them out of bedrooms.
Wash pets weekly to reduce the allergen level. Use
of vinyl or hardwood floors instead of carpets to
reduce the allergen and wet clean hard surfaces or
vacuum clean with a high efficiency filter vacuum
can help. Get some allergy relief!
Make Physical Activity a Priority!!!
It’s that time of year when the days bring on the
sunshine and warmer days. So let’s get outside to
walk, ride the bike, work in your garden, etc.
When the whole family is involved in physical
activities together, children learn that being active
is fun and makes you feel good. And busy parents
can combine family time with exercise time.
Plan activities together as a family and plan those
activities you would like to do together is a starting
point. Make sure your list of activities are things
everyone can do and enjoy together.
Try to plan at least one activity a week to do togeth-
er as a family. When family schedules get really
busy, going for a walk or riding bikes together may
be the easiest thing you can do.
Enjoy your time together! They grow up way to
fast.
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