Visit kp.org/bettersteps for some fresh perspective.

Get an action plan Arm yourself with ways to manage your allergies:

Go with H2O. If you’re stuffed up from seasonal allergies, drinking more water can thin mucus and help flush your system.

Be flexible. Exercises like yoga can teach you breathing techniques to help control allergies and asthma.

Watch for signs. Don’t confuse cold symptoms with allergies. Colds usually last 7 to 10 days and can cause a fever.

Take control of your allergies People with common allergies often experience sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes for weeks and months at a time. These symptoms can lead to asthma, which may present more serious problems.

Stay ahead of your allergy symptoms with prevention. Talk to your doctor about allergy testing to find out what your specific triggers are. These can include tree or grass pollens, pet fur or dander, feathers, dust, and certain foods.

Once you know what sets you off, take steps to adjust your lifestyle to avoid triggers. If you’re still feeling uncomfortable, there are many over-the-counter medications that can relieve allergy and asthma symptoms. Ask your doctor for a recommendation.

Services covered under your health plan are provided and/or arranged by Kaiser Permanente health plans around the country: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., in Northern and Southern California and Hawaii • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., Nine Piedmont Center, 3495 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305, 404-364-7000 • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc., in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., 2101 E. Jefferson St., Rockville, MD 20852 • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest, 500 NE Multnomah St., Suite 100, Portland, OR 97232. Services for self-insured plans are administered by Kaiser Permanente Insurance Company, One Kaiser Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612.

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