(NAPSA)—For manyof us, a change of seasons meansit is time to clean the house, rake the yard, or take care of the garden in preparation for the months to come. But if you’re one of the almost 50 million allergy sufferers in the U.S., the prospect of itchy, watery eyes and a runny nose may stop you from enjoying these or other seasonal activities. This year, make cleaning a breeze by following these simpletips. Timing Is Everything Knowing what triggers your allergies and whenthose allergens are in the air is the first step towards managing your symptoms. Pollen counts are highest between 5 and 10 a.m., so allergy sufferers should consider doing their indoor cleaning in the morning and outdoor lawn care in the afternoon. Garden Tools When planting flowers, consider tulips, impatiens and petunias, which are not only beautiful, but have low pollen levels. Set aside special shoes or clothing just for gardening andleaveit outside, along with all gardening tools. Shower immediately after you’re finished. Out With The Mold Mold thrives in humid environments such as bathrooms, base- ments or even garages. Use a solution of water and dish detergent to clean moldy areas. Wipe down the shower after each use and clean out the refrigerator regularly. Wear rubber gloves and use a protective mask if your symptomsare severe. Give WindowsThe Treatment Wipe blinds and shutters with a dampcloth regularly to remove dust and be sure to wash heavy draperies or window treatments. Dust—In Case Vacuum under beds, couches and large furniture to remove dust. Once a week, dust all surfaces with a dampcloth. Dry cloths just stir the dust particles back into theair. Allergy Relief Perhaps the most important tip of all for allergy sufferers is to use a proven effective medication to treat symptoms. Dr. Todd Adkins of the Mississippi Asthma and Allergy Clinic in Jackson, Mississippi, explains, “People with aller- gies should not have to suffer or accept partial symptom relief when there are clinically proven over-the-counter treatments such as Benadryl Allergy, which can help relieve your worst allergy symptoms, like runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose and watery eyes.” To check pollen counts or for moretips on treating seasonalallergies, visit www.benadrylusa.com.
