It’s that time of year where trees are budding, flowers are blossoming, and your thoughts naturally turn to enjoying the outdoors, having picnics, and putting away your winter coat.

However, people with spring allergies want to suffer through this time of year with sniffling, sneezing, and rubbing their eyes.

Allergies develop when your body’s immune system becomes sensitized and overacts to something in the environment.

Seasonal allergies, hay fever, allergic rhinitis; whatever you want to call it, the main culprit is the transition from winter to spring, which produces tremendous amounts of pollen.

Here are a few ways you can enjoy the spring season without suffering through watery eyes and a runny nose.

• Educate yourself about allergens
• Take allergy medicine early on to reduce symptoms
• Consider allergy testing if you’re not sure of your triggers
• Seek medical attention if your symptoms are bothersome
• Reduce time spent outdoors during 10am and 4pm when pollen counts are generally higher
• Tweak your home by keeping windows shut to keep out pollen, taking off shoes at the door, and sanitizing your home daily