When the Pollen Comes 'A Callin'!

This article was edited and updated by Sean Vierra on April 2nd, 2025

"Are you ok? You look tired.” Thanks, Janet. Nope, I’m fine, just having my face attacked by tiny razor-sharp shards of nature’s beauty. This probably feels familiar if you live in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.

Jokes aside, being an allergy sufferer can be very challenging. Depending upon your symptoms, it could range from being a minor nuisance to seriously impacting your daily life. Allergies can disrupt sleep patterns, leaving us feeling tired, irritable, and less effective with the necessaries of our daily lives. The need to constantly monitor pollen counts, avoid triggers, and manage symptoms can be exhausting and overwhelming. Oh the envy of someone who can exist in our world of pollen unaffected.

Managing allergy difficulties is especially rough during the spring and summer months in the Pacific Northwest. I love the magnificent majesty that is Oregon, but as the season changes, so do the allergens in the air, triggering symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and congestion for many of us.

Despite these challenges, here are several ways to improve allergies in the PNW during spring and summer, making the season more enjoyable for those affected.

1) Monitor Pollen Counts: Keep an eye on pollen counts in your area, which can fluctuate depending on the weather and other factors. Knowing what’s in the air and when is your first line of defense. You can use websites or apps that provide daily pollen counts to plan your outdoor activities accordingly. On high pollen days, consider staying indoors or taking allergy medication before heading outside. Oregon Allergy Associates, local to Eugene, is one of about 50 monitoring stations across the country and provides daily pollen counts. You can find their pollen counts here. Pollen counts will tell you what’s in the air and at what quantities, so you can be on guard when your allergens are present!

2) Limit Outdoor Activities: Try to limit outdoor activities, especially during peak pollen times, such as early morning, the warmest part of the day, and windy days. If you do need to be outside, wear a pollen mask to reduce your exposure to allergens. Use the information above to know what’s in the air and try to plan activities when your allergen counts are lower.

3) Keep Windows Closed During the High Pollen Parts of the Day: While it may be tempting to open windows to let in fresh air, this can also let in pollen and other allergens. Pollen counts are generally higher in the morning, during the warmest part of the day, and on windy days. If you’re using an HVAC system to cool your home, consider upgrading your filter to a higher MERV rating to reduce indoor pollen levels. Even without an HVAC system, a stand-alone high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can improve indoor air quality. Just be sure to change your filters on a regular schedule!

4) Wash Up! If you’re experiencing allergy symptoms, taking a quick shower can do wonders. Pollen accumulates on your skin and in your hair throughout the day. If you can’t take a full shower, consider a gentle wet wipe for your face and eyes to remove pollen. They even make eye cleansing wipes just for this purpose. Physically removing pollen can make a world of difference. If you generally take showers in the morning, consider switching to evening showers during the allergy season as getting into bed covered in pollen can increase nighttime allergy symptoms.

5) Get your Paws on Some Raw, Local Honey: Consuming hyper-local, raw honey may help desensitize your body to the pollen in your area, potentially reducing your allergic response. It's believed that by ingesting small amounts of local pollen regularly, your body may become less sensitive to it over time. This is based on homeopathic medicine principles of low-level toxin exposure to amplify your body’s own healing response. Evidence-based scientific data are limited on the effectiveness of this method, but some people swear by it as a tool for allergy management.

6) Wild Harvest or Buy Nettle Leaf: Nettle leaf, often taken as a tea or supplement, is a natural antihistamine and may help reduce allergy symptoms. It can be particularly effective for seasonal allergies when taken regularly before and during allergy season. Here’s one study to support its use.

7) Saline Nasal Rinse. Use a saline solution to rinse your nasal passages, which can help remove allergens and mucus, reducing congestion and inflammation.

8) Wet Sauna or Steam Inhalation. Inhaling steam from a bowl of hot water, a steamy shower, or a sauna can help clear nasal passages and relieve congestion.

9) Fill That Water Bottle. Drink plenty of water to help thin mucus and keep nasal passages moist, which can reduce congestion and irritation.

10) Better Living Through Chemistry. Gone are the days of the most effective allergy medications being prescription only. A wide variety of effective allergy medications are available at affordable prices over the counter, including non-drowsy options that you can take during a work day. Consult your doctor for the best options for you.

By taking some of these steps, allergy sufferers in the PNW can help manage their symptoms and enjoy the beauty of spring and summer in our beautiful region

Knowing I have tools in my back pocket helps ease my mind when I notice I’m not feeling so great. Carving out just a few minutes each day to care for yourself can make the difference between a day of misery and an enjoyable one!