Seasonal allergies can make gardening difficult for people with pollen allergies, with a few precautions it is possible to enjoy the joys of gardening without having to suffer from allergy symptoms.
Choose the right plants
Some plants produce more pollen than others which can make allergy symptoms worse, look for low pollen plants such as female flowers, double flowered plants or plants that are more insect dependent for their pollination.
Pollen is not the only cause of allergies, other factors such as air pollution, dust mites and molds can also trigger allergic reactions, take steps to reduce exposure to these allergens by using air purifiers, cleaning the house regularly and avoiding places with high pollution.
It is advisable to plant trees and shrubs that produce flowers that are non-allergenic, fruit trees, cherry trees, magnolias and butterfly trees are all examples of trees and shrubs that produce non-allergenic flowers. allergens.
Consulting an allergist to determine the specific allergens that affect each person will allow specific steps to be taken to reduce exposure to those allergens and better control allergy symptoms.
Avoid gardening during periods of high pollination
Pollen levels in the air are usually highest in the morning and evening, as morning dew can aggravate allergies, try to garden in the middle of the day, when pollen levels are lower, it may help to wear an allergy mask, especially if you are sensitive to allergens.
If you have seasonal allergy symptoms, such as frequent sneezing, dry cough or watery eyes, it’s important to see a doctor for advice on how best to treat your symptoms and reduce your exposure to allergens .
Wear protective clothing
To minimize the risk of seasonal allergies, it is recommended that you take precautions when maintaining your garden, in addition to wearing long gardening clothes, gloves and a mask to avoid direct contact with pollen.
You may also consider purchasing an air filter for your home, washing your hands and face after working in the garden to remove any pollen that may have accumulated there, if you are particularly susceptible to seasonal allergies, you might consider scheduling your gardening activities for early morning or late evening when pollen levels are generally lower.
Avoid touching your face
When working in your garden, it is important to be careful not to touch your face, as this can lead to the unintentional transfer of pollen onto your skin or even into your eyes, to prevent this you can wear gloves, use a face mask or even wash your hands thoroughly before touching your face.
You can also consider wearing clothes that fully cover your body to avoid direct contact with pollen, you can also plan your gardening work to avoid periods of heavy pollen release, such as early morning or late evening.
Regularly clean your garden
Taking care of your garden to minimize the amount of pollen in the air, regular removal of dead leaves, branches and other debris, you can plant shrubs with male flowers, which do not produce pollen, it is possible install an irrigation system to maintain humidity in your garden, as dry soil can lead to higher pollen production, be sure to avoid pesticides and chemical fertilizers, as these can contribute to pollen production and be harmful to the environment.
Gardening for people with pollen allergies is entirely possible, provided you adopt the right practices and make the right choices, this may involve selecting plants with low pollen content, using protective equipment like masks and goggles and adjusting the time of day to garden when pollen levels are lower.
Regular garden maintenance, tracking pollen reports, and proper medical treatment can help minimize allergy symptoms, despite the challenges.
Gardening offers many mental and physical health benefits, and people with pollen allergies should not be left out of these benefits.
Remember that with good preparation and a certain precaution, gardening can remain a pleasant and rewarding activity for everyone, even for those affected by allergies.
