Longer days, warmer weather and blooming flowers are some of the telltale signs of spring; to some, however, spring is the season of allergies. Constant sneezing, itchy eyes and a runny nose often start to become a daily occurrence during this time of the year. Allergies can be annoying, but there are many ways to combat them.

Wear sunglasses

Simply putting on a pair of sunglasses can help prevent pollen and dust from entering your eyes by decreasing the amount of air circulating over them; the more coverage you have around your eyes, the better. Ultraviolet ray protected sunglasses offer even more protection from common symptoms such as a runny nose, rashes and itchy eyes.

Stay Cool

As the weather starts getting hotter and more humid, allergies start to roll in. One way to prevent this from happening is to stay cool. When indoors, turn on the air conditioning to the low 60s. This filters out the mold and pollen in the air, leaving the surroundings clean. Humidity also plays a large role in causing allergies because dust mites and pollen cling onto humid air to live. Try to keep the air around you dry and clean by using a humidifier, which helps to reduce the amount of dust, mold and odor in the air. Make sure to clean the humidifier regularly to ensure that the dust and pollen do not accumulate.

Night Showers

Taking showers in the morning has its benefits, but during allergy season, it only encourages pollen to cling onto your freshly washed hair and body. Instead, take showers at night to wash off all the pollen and dust that has been settling in your hair throughout the day, which will help significantly reduce allergy symptoms. Night showers also allow for a good night’s sleep without worrying about transferring pollen and dust onto your pillows and sheets. A hot shower can also help clear out the sinuses.

Eat Spicy Food

Eating a bowl of spicy kimchi fried rice not only sounds delicious but also helps during allergy season. Spicy foods are natural decongestants and are a great way to unclog your sinuses. They help release histamine, the chemical that causes stuffiness in the nose.  Some examples of naturally spicy foods are onions, chillies and jalapeños. Do keep in mind, however, that spicy foods are not for everyone.

Raw Honey

Drinking a cup of raw honey, which contains bee pollen, is known to help attack allergy symptoms. Though it may seem foolish to consume bee pollen, which may very well be the cause of your constant sneezing, it will help you boost your immune system and become less-sensitive to pollen. Those with severe pollen allergies, however, should not eat honey as it can cause anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction.