Tip of the week: Timing your anti-allergy tactics

A nasal steroid spray works best if started one to two weeks before allergy season begins. Consult your doctor about obtaining a prescription.

Oral antihistamines, like Zyrtec and Claritin, should be taken just before bed so that they’ve fully circulated by the time you start your day. Antihistamine sprays “kick in fairly quickly,” by contrast. Use them about an hour before exercising outdoors.

A shower taken the moment you return home will rinse allergens off your skin and hair. When you’re done, use a saline nasal rinse to flush your sinuses.

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Dusting and vacuuming should be done in the morning, if possible, because that’s when you’ll have the antihistamines coursing strongly through your bloodstream. Use moisturized cloths to avoid scattering the allergens that you’re trying to eliminate.

Source: Better Homes and Gardens