Tips for making allergy sufferers' outdoor experience more enjoyable:

• Minimize walks in wooded areas or gardens.
• Keep an eye on your forecast. Hot, dry, windy days are when pollen counts are typically the highest.
• Avoid extreme temperature changes if you have asthma. This can be a trigger for your symptoms.
• If possible, remain indoors between 5 and 10 a.m. when outdoor pollen counts are usually highest.
• If you are allergic to grass pollen or mold, wear a mask (such as an inexpensive painter's mask) when mowing the lawn or gardening. Avoid mowing and being around freshly cut grass if possible.
• Avoid raking leaves or working with hay or mulch if you are allergic to mold.
• Take a shower, wash your hair, and change your clothes to remove pollen that may have collected in your clothes and hair after being outdoors.
• Don't hang clothes or linens out to dry, as pollen and molds may collect in them and can make your allergies worse.