Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Perishing The Pollen

OK…we’re not doctors and we don’t play one on TV. However, allergy season is upon us so we thought now would be a great time to pass along some suggestions for how to combat that springtime evil demon – pollen.


First, what is pollen? Pollen is the fine powderlike material consisting of pollen grains that is produced by the anthers of seed plants. If you’ve ever left the house and seen that yellowish residue on your car…well…that’s it.

There are several types of pollen – ragweed, grass and tree. Ragweed season runs from August to November, put peaks in mid-September in many areas of the country. Trees are the earliest pollen producers, releasing their pollen as early as January in the Southern states and as late as May or June in the Northern states, according to the National Institutes of Health’s Environmental Sciences division.

Some strategies for combating the effects of pollen include avoiding the outdoors between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., and on hot, windy days. Keep windows closed to lower exposure and try to avoid using window or attic fans.

Since pollen travels on the wind and is likely to settle on your clothes and hair, as soon as you get home, remove your clothes and bag them until they are ready to put into the wash. Then hop into the shower. Washing your hair and any other areas subject to pollen exposure like bare arms are legs will prevent you from spreading pollens spores around your home, aggravating your allergies that much more.

Keep the area near doors and windows vacuumed. And insist that anyone who visits you remove their shoes so they don’t track pollen on to the carpet and floors.

And remember, Bay Soap of Maryland’s fragrance-free Farmhouse soap bar that is free of fragrance and gently cleans your skin with emollient oils and cornmeal. So hop in the shower with one, and send that pollen packin’!

Kathy A. Gambrell, Owner

Bay Soap of Maryland

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