SOS for bothersome allergy symptoms

Q:

My sisters say their ragweed allergies only flare up when they spend time outdoors, but I can’t seem to escape mine even when I go inside. What’s going on?

A:

You’re not alone! Seasonal allergy symptoms can be miserable—and they can follow you indoors since the allergy-causing ragweed pollen can hitch a ride into your house. Thankfully, a few simple changes can help keep your home allergen-free.

First, I recommend taking off your shoes as soon as you come inside, a strategy that reduces indoor allergens by 85%, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The reason? Pollen sticks to your shoes, so you can inadvertently track it through your house. Also smart: Avoid running a fan in a room with open windows—it can circulate pollen and other allergens throughout your home.

And to feel better now, try drinking a cup of ginger tea. Ginger contains a natural antihistamine that can reduce allergy symptoms by as much as 50%.

It’s possible. COVID-19 replicates in the throat and mouth, and U.K. scientists say using mouthwash daily may deactivate the virus. And University of Connecticut researchers found that a diluted rinse containing povidone-iodine (PVP-I) killed the virus in 15 seconds. To make your own, use a medicine dropper to combine .5 ml of PVP-I 10% solution (at drugstores) and

9.5 ml of water in a cup; rinse for 30 seconds. The diluted solution won’t stain your teeth and isn’t harmful if you accidentally swallow some.

If you’re allergic to iodine, pregnant or have a thyroid condition, use a commercial mouthwash with thymol, menthol or methyl salicylate. These ingredients also may destroy the virus. But since this research is preliminary, don’t forgo other precautions, like physical distancing, handwashing and wearing a mask.

I read online that using mouthwash can kill COVID-19 to keep me from getting sick. Is this true?