I need to ride at least 3 days a week, but my schedule really suffers when the pollen count is up, because I have to take 2 days to recuperate from the allergies.
This is a new development for me at age 52, and I have a doctor’s appointment Monday to get checked, but in the meantime I wanted to see if y’all had any ideas/opinions.
Guess I could ride with one of those surgical masks, but that would impede my breathing in addition to making me look silly.
I’m averaging 60 miles a week and ride in Paulding County, Georgia on The Silver Comet Trail, a rails to trails project.
Sorry, Quasi, can’t help you with that one. I’m allergic to pollen but it just makes my eyes itchy, which I take care of with eye drops. I don’t see why you wouldn’t wear a dust mask, I’ve seen plenty of people power-walking or jogging wearing them.
Wear a pollen/dust mask. Yes, it looks silly. Snot running out of your nose down your face not only looks silly, it’s disgusting, too. (I presume that’s the allergic manifestation)
Use decongestants. Some have unpleasent side effects. The doctor you’re going to can help you pick one out that will work with minimum problems for you.
Long term, you can get allergy shots. This doesn’t always work, but can “cure” the problem in many cases. Yes, it hurts to get jabbed in the arm on a regular basis with needles. Maybe you’ve noticed allergies are no fun, either.
Don’t bike at dawn - that’s when plants unleash the most pollen. Windy days are worse than non-windy. Good luck
I have the same problem Quasi but it bothers me a heck of a lot more when running than when biking. I think it has something to do with the speed. I used to ride with folded tissue in my pocket and when it became intolerable, I would wipe or blow. I now now take some over the counter allergy medicine and it along with a glop of vicks under my nose seems to help.
I used to be a dripping sniffling basket case in the spring due to pollen sensitivity. Doctor gave me something called Nasacort that worked wonders. Not a single sniffle. And it’s not like those Dristan type sprays that feel like you’re spraying amonia up your nose. This stuff is much more inert feeling. This year I tried something called Nasalcrom, that is similar to Nasacort but it’s OTC. The only catch is you have to start taking it a few days before symptoms appear. If you’re already suffering, it’ll take several days before you feel any relief.