Insights from the Editor

By the first week of spring, our Alabama farm has turned yellow on its way to turning green. Pollen showers us from every water oak, dogwood and cedar tree. It coats the cars, the porch, the patio furniture — even the black labrador retriever. And it causes coughing, itching, runny eyes and noses, and general discomfort to every member of our family, including the dog.

The sad thing about tree pollen — which is where much of the yellow stuff comes from in spring — is it starts early and keeps coming. If you're allergic, it can make for some real misery. But there are steps you can take to limit your exposure.

First, leave your shoes outside. A surprising number of outdoor allergens become indoor allergens when they hitch a ride on your shoes. Leave them outside your door or in a mud room or entry hall so that you won't track pollen and spores onto your carpet and into your bedroom.

Or establish a home entry system that captures allergens[PDF] like the one outlined by the University of Georgia. (Here's handyman Jay Baker on how to eliminate more allergens from your house).

It's also not a bad idea to put your outer shell of clothing in the wash as soon as possible, especially if those little flakes on your shoulder are actually yellow.

Give the dog a bath. If your pets come in and out of the house, you may need to bathe them more regularly. Our normally black lab won't set foot in our house during pollen season without a serious hose down. And while they may be cuddly, letting your pets up on the furniture or bed just spreads pollen (and pet dander) to the places you frequent the most. If your four-legged friend is a feline, limit her exposure to the outdoors or give her a bath, too. (Here's how to safely wash your cat.)

Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. That which doesn't enter your home on your pets or your shoes and clothes, often still finds a way in. Allergy specialists recommend you vacuum at least once a week and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter—a high efficiency filter that catches some of the smallest allergens.

Which vacuum works the best? Check out Consumer Reports vacuum cleaner reviews.

Keep your windows closed and your air conditioner on. After weeks of winter, this may sound like a bummer, but if you open your windows, pollen will blow in on that fresh breeze. Plus, your home's HVAC system — if it's equipped with top notch HEPA filters — can trap pollen out of the air it recycles. If you want to take it one step further, consider buying an air cleaner. They've been shown to improve allergy symptoms.