Spring is here, and with it is the sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, watery and itchy eyes, associated with seasonal allergies.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the best way to protect yourself against allergies is to reduce your exposure to pollen.

Here are some more tips to help you cope with seasonal allergies during high pollen days:

Limit your time outdoors and seek indoor spaces with clean air.

Create a cleaner air space at home to protect yourself from outdoor air irritants. Use a portable air cleaner in one or more rooms. Portable air cleaners work best when run continuously with doors and windows closed. Clean your indoor space by using a cloth to clean surfaces and a vacuum with HEPA filter to reduce the presence of allergens.

Keep your cleaner air space at a comfortable temperature by using air conditioners, heat pumps, fans, and window shades.

If you have a forced air system in your home, consult a qualified heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) professional about different filters (HEPA or MERV-13 or higher) and settings (“Recirculate” and “On” rather than “Auto”) that can be used to reduce indoor air irritants.

If outdoors, avoid activities that stir up pollen, such as mowing lawns or raking leaves.

When you return indoors, take a shower and change your clothes. And wash your hands often with soap and water.

Masks also offer some protection against seasonal allergies because they can prevent some larger particles from being inhaled. However, if you have seasonal allergies, masks should not be your only protection against pollen exposure because smaller particles can still get through the covering and be inhaled.

Wash your masks after each use, particularly if you suffer from seasonal allergies, because the covering may carry particles such as pollen.

Wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to reduce pollen getting into your eyes.

Sources: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America