If you suffer from seasonal allergies, it's probably no surprise to you that ragweed season is in full swing in the U.S. Ragweed blooms from mid-August to October and is most prevalent in the Northeast, South and Midwest U.S. Even if you live in an urban area, you can still be affected because ragweed grains can travel up to 400 miles.
Once exposed to ragweed, allergy sufferers often experience sneezing, runny noses and swollen, itchy, and watery eyes. Even a short run outdoors can trigger symptoms. But it is possible to run outdoors even if you suffer from seasonal allergies. Follow these tips to keep your runs symptom-free:
Plan workouts when pollen counts are low. Pollen concentrations are usually highest from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m., according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Check your local pollen counts at sites such as Pollen.com.
Avoid running on windy days. The wind spreads pollen throughout the air, so run indoors when it's windy. You may even want to avoid running outdoors the day after high winds.
Shower right after your run. The worst allergy symptoms usually don't occur until about an hour after you come in contact with the pollen, so you may actually be able to run outdoors without experiencing symptoms. But to reduce your risk of symptoms after your run, make sure you take a shower and put on clean clothes as soon as you get back from your run.
Run after a rainstorm. Pollen counts drop as the rain washes the pollen away, so you're less likely to experience symptoms after it rains.
Get more tips for allergy-free runs.
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