It’s that time of year again. In many parts of the country, the snow has melted, the grass has resumed its growth cycle, flowers have started to appear… and springtime allergy season has begun.

For people with springtime allergies, this time of year can be difficult to deal with. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help minimize your exposure to potential outdoor allergens and reduce their aggravating effects. The following tips include the top 5 things you can do to help avoid symptoms caused by outdoor allergens. Tomorrow’s list will give the top 5 "don’ts."

• DO keep your windows closed at night to prevent allergens such as pollens or molds from drifting into your home. If you live in a warm climate, use air conditioning, which not only cools the air but also cleans and dries it.
  
• DO minimize your activity during 5 and 10 a.m. when pollen is usually emitted.
  
• DO keep your car windows closed when traveling. Use the "re-circulate" setting on your vehicles’s vent system to keep allergens from getting in.
  
• DO try to stay indoors on days when the pollen count or humidity is reported to be high, and on windy days when dust and pollen can be blown around.
  
• DO take your allergy medications as prescribed by your allergist/immunologist regularly, in the recommended dosage. If your current regimen isn’t working, make an appointment with your allergist to have your medication adjusted.

To find out more about outdoor allergy treatments and prevention, see "What Treatments are Available for Outdoor Allergies?" and ""How Can I Prevent Outdoor Allergies" in the Healia Health Guide to Outdoor Allergies .

_{Source: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, Tips to Remember: Outdoor allergens. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/outdoorallergens.stm}

_{Photo: spakattacks, Flickr, Creative Commons}