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Reduce pollen within your home: Pollen is one of the most common culprits of seasonal allergy complications. To minimize its presence indoors, try the following:

• Keep windows and doors closed, especially during dry, windy days when pollen levels in the air can increase.
• Use an air filter in your air conditioning system, especially if you use a window unit. When choosing an air filter for allergies, you should consider the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value rating — filters with higher MERV ratings are more effective at capturing particles that can trigger allergies. To ensure efficiency, air filters must be clean. Generally, they should be replaced about every 30 to 90 days.
• Remove shoes and jackets immediately upon entering your home to avoid tracking pollen throughout your living space.

Control indoor humidity: Warming weather and spring showers often lead to increased moisture, which can heavily contribute to mold growth. To minimize moisture within your home, consider these tips:

• Use a dehumidifier in areas of your home that are consistently moist or humid. At minimum, most homes can benefit from a dehumidifier at the basement level.
• Use an exhaust fan in the bathroom while bathing and for 20 to 30 minutes afterwards. Similarly, use an exhaust fan in the kitchen while cooking or running the dishwasher. If you don’t have an exhaust fan, circulate air with a fan.
• Routinely check for leaks in pipes and roofing. Leaks can often go unnoticed until the problem worsens.

Clean frequently and mindfully: Common allergens such as dust mites can easily build up within your home, even if they are not visible to the naked eye. This is especially true for rooms with carpets, beds and soft furnishings. Try the following methods of cleaning to more effectively remove allergens within the home:

• Wash bedding in hot water at least once a week. Consider using fragrant free detergents as some fragrances may worsen asthma and allergy symptoms.
• Vacuum floors with a HEPA-filtered vacuum at least once a week. Consider also vacuuming curtains, blinds, mattresses and soft furnishings such as couches.
• Dust weekly using a microfiber cloth rather than a traditional duster. Dusters can cause dust mites and other allergens to spread around the home, while a microfiber cloth is more successful in trapping the allergens.

Communicate with your health care provider: Asthma and allergies can be serious and dangerous. It’s important that your health care provider is aware of your symptoms and involved in your care management plan. Some actions to take include:

• With the assistance of your health care provider, create an action plan that allows yourself and those around you to know the signs and symptoms that you may be experiencing respiratory distress. It’s important that these plans are pre-established to avoid panic and ensure timely and appropriate care.
• If you use medications or other medical devices to manage your symptoms, make sure to always bring them with you when you leave the home — you can never be sure when or where an asthma or allergy attack will strike!
• Learn your triggers. Understanding what triggers your symptoms can help you create a more comprehensive plan to avoid situations that may cause discomfort and better manage your symptoms.

For additional information and supplies, such as mattress protectors, pillow covers and cleaning supplies used to better manage asthma and allergy triggers, Cayuga County residents are encouraged to contact the Cayuga County Health Department’s Healthy Neighborhoods Program for a free home safety assessment. To schedule an appointment, call (315) 253-1560 or visit , or like and follow the department on Facebook and Instagram at @CayugaCountyHealthDept.