Month: March 2022

2022-03-03T13:05:00

(BPT) – By Sam Richter

One thing in business is certain: Selling will never be the same again.

With remote workforces making it impossible to stop by, fewer trade shows, virtual meetings and prospects much less likely to respond to a cold email or social media request, getting in front of prospects and existing customers will be more difficult than ever.

The competition is no longer across town, across the state or across the country. Because buyers are now used to virtual meetings and online product demonstrations, sales teams are learning that their competition can be any organization that offers a similar solution, anywhere.

How can your company build a healthy prospect pipeline and win business in the new landscape? With a nimble sales force that truly understands its prospects and clients and knows what’s relevant to help them achieve their business objectives.

These are the “Seven Secrets to Post-Covid Sales Success” the most successful organizations test and implement:

1. Fast response model: Because work-from-home has rendered traditional 9 to 5 business hours nearly meaningless, prospects and customers expect answers to questions quickly and if they don’t receive a rapid response, they will find an alternative. Sales teams should assign people to monitor incoming leads and respond with urgency, even on the weekend. Consider implementing Live Chat functionality on your website so it’s easy for prospects to get in touch with a human. Sales management should also empower salespeople to make decisions and not have to wait for a supervisor’s approval.

2. Digital proficiency: Ensure that all salespeople have the proper computer hardware and software so remote meetings and presentations are professional. Web cameras with 1080 resolution, good lighting and a high-quality microphone are the minimum. Provide training on how to set up and deliver a quality virtual presentation, including the proper use of slides, video and other resources.

Recording a quick message and using tools like Vidyard and BombBomb to send a prospect a short video or product demo is much more effective than email or static messages. If a picture is worth a thousand words, video is worth a million. With video, you can show your personality, energy, empathy and excitement to work with a prospect. With SalesReach.io a salesperson can create a customizable portal featuring product information, relevant articles, and the ability to send a personalized video message.

3. Embrace the phone: Spam and irrelevant messages are clogging up email inboxes and social media messaging. Sales teams that call before sending an email or LinkedIn connection request report higher response rates. Even if you leave a voicemail, when your prospect receives your email or connection request, they are more likely to recognize it as legitimate.

Today, phone also means text messaging. With texting, it’s best to use with permission. Many younger people prefer text messaging to other forms of communication. Some companies are even embracing other messaging platforms such as WhatsApp.

4. Engage the customer service team: Customer service and sales have lived siloed lives within many organizations. No longer. In a recent American Express survey, 70% of customers said they spend more money with companies that offer top-notch customer support. Because it’s easier than ever for a buyer to find another vendor, ensuring customers get their issues handled quickly is paramount to business success and future sales success.

Customer service personnel are being brought into sales and product development meetings because they are on the front lines, hearing the problems clients face and the solutions clients desire.

5. Content is king: Just checking in will no longer suffice as an email opener. Clients and prospects want educational content that is relevant to their world. In a recent Harvard Business Review article, 82% of business-to-business buyers said educational content shared by a salesperson was an important factor in deciding who they wanted to talk to.

Should salespeople create content? Of course not, as that is the role of marketing. Yet salespeople can post relevant content on social media and send emails and social media messages with content that is highly relevant to a prospect or existing client, and their company. Use free online resources like YouGotTheNews.com to find articles about a prospect’s company, competitors or industry that the prospect might not easily find on their own. Or YouGotResearch.com to locate credible trend reports, survey results, industry outlooks and more and then share that content.

The key when sharing content with prospects and clients is ensuring your message is all about them and not about you. With this value-added follow-up, you find information you know your prospect cares about, and share it in a way that shows you care about their success. Personalized and relevant value always wins.

6. Digital reputation management: In my “Don’t Steal the Cheesecake” keynote presentation, I discuss how seemingly innocent online comments, social media posts or even an unprofessional LinkedIn photo could be costing salespeople business. If you’ve ever heard from a prospect, “We decided to go in another direction,” you might want to review your online presence.

It’s almost a certainty that a prospect is going to look up the salesperson online. Political posts and personal issues should not be aired in public. Don’t discuss your company or your clients in anything other than a positive light. Your reputation is how others perceive you and for the first time in history at least on a mass scale, your reputation is being determined and you’re being judged before people even meet you.

7. Research and relevance: It’s no longer enough to be interesting. To succeed in sales today, you must be interested. Of course, you need to be interesting, meaning your marketing material, presentation, website and social media presence must be professional and engaging.

But remember that buyers are interested in one thing: themselves. To win the deal, you must be interested in your prospect, interested in their issues, interested in helping them achieve their goals, and bottom line, interested in their success. That means do your homework and provide relevant information in every communication.

How to conduct research in a way that is efficient, laser-focused and fast? Custom Sales Intel Engines found at www.intelngin.com are tailored to the research needs of salespeople in different industries. So instead of getting millions of irrelevant results, the Sales Intel Engine only finds the relevant information that matters.

From identifying sales triggers — a disruption going on in a prospect’s world where they need to hear about your solution today — to instantly identifying decision-makers, recent news, company information and more, the Intel Engine helps sales teams and salespeople identify the right opportunities and the right decision makers, at the right time, with the right message, right now.

Sam Richter is a Hall of Fame keynote speaker, bestselling author and expert on modern-day sales intelligence (www.samrichter.com).

2022-03-03T12:01:00

(BPT) – The pandemic has created a lot of challenges for students and achievement gaps continue to grow, especially among the most vulnerable learners. According to Amplify, students — especially those in grades K-1in Black and Hispanic populations — have experienced severe learning losses in the past two years. Furthermore, without support, a child that is a poor reader in first grade has a 90% chance of remaining a poor reader.

Reading fluency, the ability to read with speed, accuracy, and meaningful expression, remains an integral component of academic success and future outcomes. Encouraging students to read in their free time, while admirable, does not provide the necessary support for students struggling with reading fluency.

This week as we celebrate Read Across America Day it’s a good time to learn how we can help create strong, confident readers. Below are three strategies that can help support students’ reading fluency.

1. One-on-one reading

One of the best ways to increase children’s reading fluency is to model reading in one-on-one settings. In a classroom, it may not always be possible to read with students individually, but tutors and family members can be enlisted to provide private reading opportunities.

Whether the tutors are parents, older elementary students or college students, having a dedicated person to sit down and read individually with a child can build the student’s reading confidence. The reading tutor can model proficient reading fluency, recognize what skills the child needs support in advancing and make reading a fun, interactive experience.

2. Incorporate technology

Technology can be a powerful tool to engage students and encourage reading fluency. Teachers can use these tools to assess reading fluency of more students at once and frees up time to focus on the students’ academic and emotional development.

In an effort to improve literacy, Microsoft Education has created two reading tools that work in tandem to help educators support students with reading fluency.

Reading Coach is a reading practice tool for students that automatically generates individualized exercises based upon each student’s specific needs. It identifies words that the student struggled with and provides additional opportunities for practice and guidance on correct pronunciation. This tool engages students and encourages them to want to read more.

Reading Progress measures and identifies correct words per minute, accuracy rates and challenging words, providing teachers and students with insightful data and benchmarks for progress. The newest update will allow the program to auto-detect prosody, that is, the patterns of expression and intonation in a language. Prosody is key to reading fluency and is linked to helping students build a deeper understanding of the text.

3. Repeated readings

Having students read the same text multiple times in different settings is a great strategy to improve fluency. For example, students can read a poem together aloud as a class, read the same poem to themselves and read together in small groups or pairs.

By reading a passage multiple times, students become familiar with the text, fix errors, and increase text comprehension. Repeated reading encourages independence and confidence in young readers.

All students deserve equitable opportunities to develop strong literacy skills for success in and beyond the classroom, and teachers deserve more support in helping their students reach these goals. Using the tips and tools above can go a long way in creating confident readers and increasing reading fluency in and out of the classroom.

To learn more about tools to support teachers and students in reading fluency, visit https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/educators/literacy-solutions.

2022-03-03T09:05:00

(BPT) – Have you ever been on a golf course or watched a tournament on TV and thought, “How do I get my lawn that green?” While thick, lush, healthy grass takes some strategy (and time), it is possible to achieve at home with some tips and tricks from lawn care experts.

As the Official Lawn Care Treatment Provider of the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions and TPC Network, TruGreen knows what it takes to achieve a golf-course ready lawn. Both TruGreen and the PGA TOUR implement science-driven agronomic practices to deliver the best living and playing conditions. Here, the lawn care company shares tips for homeowners to achieve golf course green grass that will be the envy of the neighborhood:

Test pH levels

For your lawn to look its best it needs adequate nutrients and the right amount of hydration for your region. To achieve this, contact a lawn care professional to test your soil pH levels in the spring to see if any adjustments should be made. With the right scientific expertise, they can identify, and tailor, the right solution for optimal hydration.

Taming weeds

There are two kinds of weeds: annual and perennial. Both grow when they have access to resources (water, sunlight, soil nutrients). That means the best way to eliminate weeds is with a healthy dense grass that doesn’t leave room for weeds to establish and grow. Timing is of the essence when it comes to weed control, so it’s important to bring in a professional at the first sign of weeds to apply a treatment before they start popping up across your lawn. Homeowners can often apply lawn care products excessively or improperly, which can waste money and cause damage to the lawn.

“Just like there isn’t a singular blueprint for a PGA TOUR golf course, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to lawn care,” said Brian Feldman, director of technical operations at TruGreen. “With so many complexities to individual lawns, a service professional with tailored, localized solutions can help you achieve a lush lawn of which you’re proud.”

Adequate watering

Great grass needs just the right amount of water to be lush without oversaturation. Strive to water your lawn one or two times a week, avoiding peak evaporation time between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Remember that watering may vary month to month based on weather conditions. Sandy soils or drought conditions require more water, but always consider any watering restrictions in your area.

Consider aeration and seeding

Aerating the soil means using a special machine to remove small plugs of soil that extract thatch, helping open the ground to more nutrients and water penetration. Seeding after aerating encourages germination and root growth. Commonly performed during the summer for southern regions and the fall for northern regions, professionals can help identify the best time for aeration and seeding specific to your lawn.

“A healthy and happy championship lawn takes expert care and time,” said Feldman. “Partnering with a professional service provider, such as TruGreen, can help alleviate some of the stress of getting your lawn fit for a major.”

All these steps can help you take the guesswork out of lawn care maintenance. For additional help, consult with a lawn care professional such as TruGreen to achieve a lawn that looks just like what the pros play on.

2022-03-02T13:01:00

(BPT) – It seems that most people have experienced a lifestyle transformation over the past two years. Remote living means more people are cooking and eating at home, creating higher standards for their kitchen space. Fortunately, the newest appliances and technology advances are meeting these demands and helping people live more comfortable, efficient lives.

Today’s reimagined kitchen is smarter, healthier and greener — designed for optimal wellness in the home. Technology is helping homeowners maximize their kitchen’s potential, giving them the ability to do things they never have before.

Tech lifestyle expert and HGTV TV personality Carley Knobloch agrees. “Consumers today have a strong desire for high-tech appliances that not only simplify their home but also allow them to live a more flexible lifestyle,” she says. “This year’s Kitchen and Bath Industry Show unveiled some promising hi-tech appliances making advancements in this space to help homeowners truly make the most of their living spaces.”

Here are some of the top kitchen trends of 2022 that help streamline life and modernize how you can use the kitchen space:

Rethink refrigeration

After spending increased amounts of time at home, many homeowners have decided to add more personalized rooms to their homes, like home gyms, offices, art studios, theaters and more. With that, came the desire for more versatile appliances that could fit into any of these new spaces. Products that have become increasingly popular are undercounter refrigerators, especially those that can blend easily into cabinetry. Undercounter refrigerators offer added convenience to the home, whether you need extra space for entertaining or want to keep certain cosmetics or toiletries chilled in your master suite.

Those aren’t the only refrigerators getting upgrades, the French door category also continues to be a top trend in kitchens throughout the country, but limited sizing was previously an issue for some homeowners. Now, the first-ever 48-inch French door refrigerator from Signature Kitchen Suite is opening this option to more people than ever, bringing beauty and functionality into any luxury kitchen.

Ovens with options

Warmer weather is just around the corner, meaning entertaining season is coming back in full force. The good news is you don’t need a huge kitchen to be a pro host. Many kitchen appliances today offer more functionality in one product so you can get more cooking done in one convenient space.

For instance, the latest ranges now feature double-oven designs, so you can bake or roast two dishes at different temperatures at once in separate oven cavities. LG’s new slide-in range delivers the most when it comes to multifunctional cooking with several cooking modes including ProBake Convection – the gold standard in convection technology, for even baking on every rack, every time. Plus, Air Fry helps you turn out crispy flavor to feed a crowd while Air Sous Vide locks in moisture and aroma to deliver meats, fish and poultry that are tender, juicy and consistently delicious.

For added convenience, the microwave easily connects to the range for automatic ventilation and lighting when cooking on the range’s cooktop, while InstaView technology allows you to check on the cooking progress by simply knocking twice on the glass to illuminate the interior.

More than a microwave

Does your microwave oven cook unevenly, where some parts of foods are overcooked, and others are still cold? If so, it’s time for an upgrade. Modern smart microwaves cook foods quickly and evenly with advanced technology that provides delicious results and added features that complement the way you use your kitchen.

Thanks to the slide-out “ExtendaVent, your cooking atmosphere is kept clear and clean as it reduces the presence of smoke and lingering odors in the kitchen. Plus, cleaning has never been easier with the EasyClean interior that features a special coating to prevent food and grease from sticking.

Integrated recipes

Imagine scanning a recipe, having it populate your grocery cart so you can order the foods you need and then having your smart appliance know exactly how to cook those foods to perfection. This is now a reality thanks to the new “ThinQ Recipe” service that works with several of the cooking appliances, like LG’s new range and over-the-range microwave, and it can be easily accessed via an app. Now you can search, plan, purchase and cook delicious recipes whenever you want from the comfort of your kitchen. The new tool even offers over 10,000 shoppable recipes via Walmart and Amazon Fresh delivery services. Plus, with the Scan to Cook feature, you can easily scan the UPC barcode on select ready-made meals to remotely set temperature and cooking time.

As Knobloch points out, we’re all likely going to continue to spend more time cooking, eating and enjoying time together in your kitchen. To make the most of the space and your time, these smart appliances are a smart investment.

2022-03-02T12:13:00

(BPT) – With the sun emerging from the clouds and the weather warming up, it’s time to take stock of your wellness. Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist Dalina Soto says that springtime calls for a review and refresh of your mind and body.

By looking at your holistic wellness and tweaking your habits, you can reduce stress and increase productivity and happiness. To help you jump-start your “spring cleaning,” Soto offers tips on how to improve your exercise, sleep and eating habits this season.

Get moving

During winter, it’s easy to go into hibernation mode, making it difficult to find motivation to exercise. As it starts warming up again, strive to incorporate movement throughout your day.

You can start by taking a lunch walk with a co-worker so you can enjoy the fresh air and sunlight. Check your local community center to see if there are any pickup volleyball games or other outdoor recreational sports you can participate in once or twice a week. If you want to establish a gym routine, find a buddy to go with for accountability.

Prioritize sleep

Sleep is an important aspect of your holistic health. When you don’t sleep well, your energy depletes, meaning that you’re less likely to want to be active, potentially affecting your ability to work. It also can have a considerable impact on your mental health. According to the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, poor sleep can lead to irritability and stress which may increase the risk of developing anxiety and depression.

Soto suggests taking time to examine your sleep hygiene. Do you have a set bedtime, and do you stick to it? Do you frequently wake up throughout the night? Are you staying up on your phone? Ask yourself these questions and see where you can revamp your nighttime routine.

Fuel your engine

Just like a car, your body needs the right fuel to run properly, which is why it’s essential to have a balanced and nutritious diet. Beyond making sure you get enough carbs, protein and greens in your meals, you should ensure you’re eating foods with Omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3s can help maintain your mental health, improve sleep and build and maintain a healthy body, especially after strenuous exercise. You can easily incorporate Omega-3s into your diet by eating Eggland’s Best eggs. They contain more than double the Omega-3s and six times more Vitamin D than ordinary eggs, which helps regulate mood and boost overall mental health.

The garden frittata recipe below is an excellent example of how a nutritious meal can improve your overall wellness this spring.

Garden frittata

Prep time: 5 minutes; Cook time: 15 minutes; Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh garlic

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped fresh spinach

4 large Eggland’s Best Eggs, beaten

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves

1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup chopped cherry tomatoes

Instructions

1. Melt butter with canola oil in 10-inch skillet until sizzling; add garlic and onions.

2. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes or until onions are translucent.

3. Add spinach and sauté for 2-3 minutes or until spinach is wilted.

4. Whisk eggs and salt together in bowl.

5. Add eggs to vegetable mixture in pan; sprinkle with basil.

6. Cover and continue cooking for 4-6 minutes or until center is almost set.

7. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand 2-3 minutes or until cheese melts.

8. Cut into wedges. Garnish with chopped tomatoes.

Kick off your holistic spring cleaning right

In honor of National Nutrition Month, Eggland’s Best has teamed up with celebrity home-organizers, Clea and Joanna of The Home Edit, to launch the EB Better Family Fridge Makeover Sweepstakes. This contest gives fans the chance to win various prizes to help with their organizational needs and supercharge their family’s nutrition.

Now until April 15, fans can enter online at EBFamilySweeps.com for a chance to win $4,500 toward a brand-new family fridge, a virtual consultation with The Home Edit team and Dalina Soto, a year’s supply of Eggland’s Best eggs and more!

2022-03-02T07:01:00

(BPT) – Over the years, Ireland has become one of Europe’s top food destinations, and Irish cuisine is finally getting the recognition it deserves.

With the upcoming celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, it’s time to take a new look at Ireland’s 10,000-year culinary heritage and modern-day food culture.

JP McMahon, a Michelin-starred chef in Ireland and author of the new “The Irish Cookbook,” is on a mission to help Ireland get the culinary credit it deserves.

“Ireland’s cuisine is often overlooked. I hope to bring attention to our style of cooking and the unique terroir of our ancient island that produces some of the highest quality ingredients in the world,” he said.

McMahon is working with Kerrygold, the brand behind the premium Irish grass-fed butter and cheese, to create a modern-day St. Patrick’s Day menu that more accurately reflects the best of Irish cuisine. The menu showcases the quality, sustainably grown fresh produce, abundant seafood and grass-fed dairy that has become a worldwide flagship of Ireland.

“Ireland dedicates more than half of the country’s land to growing green grass, which is one of the largest areas in the world for dairy cows to freely graze,” said McMahon, who is the chef/owner of Aniar, one of Ireland’s 21 Michelin-starred restaurants. The mild temperate climate and abundant rainfall provide natural irrigation for the land and an ideal environment for grass-fed herds.

Across Ireland, 14,000 small family-run farms supply the highest quality grass-fed milk for Kerrygold products. It is this all-natural milk that the cows produce that gives Kerrygold butters and cheeses their creamy flavor, richness, and iconic golden color, which is loved by many around the world.

With its expansive rugged coastline, Ireland is also home to some of the world’s best seafood, including crab, oysters, mussels, and salmon. Additionally, the country is known for its foraged wild ingredients, including seaweed and other sea vegetables, mushrooms, wild herbs, and flowers, all of which are featured in McMahon’s contemporary St. Patrick’s Day menu.

• Crab and Aged Cheddar Custard
• Celeriac and Oyster Mushrooms in Brown Butter
• Mussels in a Smoked Butter Sauce
• Heather and Lavender Shortbread

Mussels in a Smoked Butter Sauce

Preparation: 15 minutes

Cooking: 20 minutes

Serves 4

Ingredients

9 ounces (1 cup plus 2 tablespoons) Kerrygold Pure Irish Salted Butter, cubed and smoked

2 cups apple cider

1 onion, roughly chopped

1 clove garlic, smashed

A few sprigs of thyme

1 lb. 2 oz mussels, scrubbed clean

A few sprigs of chervil, to serve

Extra virgin canola oil, to serve

Sea salt

Instructions

To smoke the butter, prepare a small home smoker or a wok with a wire rack. Ignite oak chips, a small piece of peat/turf may also be added if you have available. Once smoking, place butter in a dish on the rack of the smoker/wok. Cover with the lid or foil and set aside for approximately 25 minutes. Alternatively, if you do not have access to equipment to smoke, 1 teaspoon of powdered smoked seasoning or smoked salt may be added to the butter.

Put the cider, onion, garlic and thyme into a pan over a medium heat and bring to a boil.

Add the mussels, cover and cook for 1–2 minutes.

Strain the sauce, transfer to another pan over a medium heat and cook for 10–15 minutes until reduced by half.

Meanwhile, check the mussels and discard any that are unopened.

When the sauce is reduced, blend the butter into the sauce and season to taste.

Divide the mussels among four bowls and pour over the sauce.

Garnish with a little chervil and add a drizzle of extra virgin canola oil.

To find the rest of JP McMahon’s modern St. Patrick’s Day recipes and more information about Kerrygold, visit kerrygoldusa.com.

2022-03-01T09:57:00

(BPT) – If you are 50 years of age or older, the virus that causes shingles is likely already inside of you. In fact, nearly all – 99% – of adults carry the virus that causes shingles, yet research has showed that only 7% of adults over 50 believed they were at an increased risk of developing the disease.[i],[ii],[iii] But did you know there are steps you can take right now to prevent yourself from getting it?

When it comes to staying ahead of potential health challenges, the most important thing a person can do is educate themselves. Dr. Daniel Verdi, Senior Medical Director at GSK, is using his 17 years of experience in medical affairs to share information about the disruption that shingles can cause in a person’s life and how people can protect themselves from getting the disease.

What is Shingles?

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, typically presents as a painful rash that develops on one side of the face or body. Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox.[iv] After chickenpox, the VZV remains dormant in a person’s system and can reactivate years later. This reactivation causes shingles.[ii]

Unfortunately, experiencing shingles can be an isolating and painful experience. More than 96% of people who get the disease experience acute pain, often described as aching or burning.[v] The symptoms can cause significant disruptions in a person’s day-to-day activities for up to several weeks.

People may also have long-term effects from shingles. Once the rash is gone, some people experience what is known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) — a painful complication that can last for several months, and in rare cases up to several years. PHN is one of the most common complications of shingles,[vi] and occurs in anywhere from 5% to 30% of people who have had the disease.[vii]

Common Misconceptions

According to Dr. Verdi, the biggest misconception he hears is from people who are living a healthy lifestyle who believe they are not at risk. “What is important to consider is, if you’ve had the chickenpox, you are at risk for shingles,” explains Dr. Verdi.

As people age, natural immunity tends to wane and hinders the body’s ability to prevent the virus from reactivating and causing shingles.[viii] This waning tends to happen around 50 years old but can occur earlier.[ix]

“Even if you’re a healthy, active person, you can still be at risk for shingles. Approximately one in three people in the US will develop shingles in their lifetime.[viii] It’s important that you consider your risk of getting shingles seriously and take action, so it doesn’t impact your life,” says Dr. Verdi.

Since shingles is caused by a virus that can lay dormant in a person’s system,[ii] there is also a possibility of recurrence. “Due to the nature of the virus, it’s difficult to pinpoint whether or not someone could continue experiencing recurrences. If you’ve had it once and haven’t taken action to protect yourself, you still have a risk of developing shingles again.”

“Since the shingles virus is inside of you,[ii] social contact is not a precursor for getting the disease. The risk is always there if you’ve had chicken pox,” said Dr Verdi. It is worth noting that if you never had chickenpox or received the chickenpox vaccine and you come into contact with the fluid from the blisters of the shingles rash, you can develop chickenpox. This could put you at risk of developing shingles later in life.

A Way to Help Protect Against Shingles

“There are preventable steps that adults can take to protect themselves against the disease,” said Dr. Verdi. “I encourage all adults 50 years and older to speak with their doctor or pharmacist to learn more about how they can reduce their risk of shingles through vaccination.” Learn more about shingles here.

[i] Ipsos MORI, https://www.ipsos.com/ipsos-mori/en-uk/adult-perceptions-of-shingles-risk A5a. To what extent do you personally feel at risk – if at all – of getting shingles (again) in the following time periods? Question asked on a 7 point scale. Base: Total (n=2509), Belgium (n=300), Netherlands (n=150), Sweden (n=150), Australia (n=300), UK *n=300), Hong Kong (n=108), Austria (n=300), Denmark (n=300), Finland (n=301), Germany (n=300) Last accessed: February 9, 2022

[ii] Bricout H, et al. Herpes zoster-associated mortality in Europe: a systematic review. BMC Public Health. 2015;15:466.

[iii] Bollaerts K;Epidemiology and infection;2017;145;2666-2677 REF-57577

[iv] Johnson RW et al. Herpes zoster epidemiology, management, and disease and economic burden in Europe: a multidisciplinary perspective. Therapeutic Advances in Vaccines. 2015;3(4):109-120.

[v] Bowsher D. Acute Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia: effects of acyclovir and outcome of treatment with amitriptyline. British Journal of General Practice; 1992; 42; 244-246

[vi] Dworkin RH, et al. Diagnosis and assessment of pain associated with herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia. J Pain 2008;9:S37–44.

[vii] Kawai K., Gebremeskel B., Acosta C. (2014) Systematic review of incidence and complications of herpes zoster: towards a global perspective. BMJ Open 4: e004833

[viii] Chen SY, et al. Incidence of herpes zoster in patients with altered immune function. Infection 2014;42:325–34.

[ix] Harpaz. Prevention of herpes Zoster. June 2008. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5705a1.htm Last accessed: February 9, 2022 REF-2665

2022-03-01T11:37:00

(BPT) – Spring is a stunning season full of life as plants grow, flowers bloom and the sun shines. The downside of this abundance of beauty is seasonal allergens. Pollen from all those growing and blooming plants spreads via warm breezes and can make you feel awful.

“Allergic rhinitis, commonly called hay fever, has been around for hundreds of years, causing symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, mouth or skin, runny nose, and congestion,” said Dr. Mark Corbett, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. “Your symptoms often depend on which pollens you’re allergic to.”

Allergists can help identify precisely what is causing you problems so you can take appropriate action based on your individual needs. Along with taking your history and conducting an exam, allergists conduct tests to identify your specific allergens and treat your symptoms to help you take control. Testing for hay fever typically includes sensitivity to pets, dust mites, trees, grasses, weeds, and mold as they are the most likely triggers for nasal allergies.

In addition to meeting with an allergist, Corbett and the experts at ACAAI share these tips for feeling your best during spring allergy season:

Start medications before symptoms begin

Allergy symptoms can begin much earlier than the official start of spring. To lessen the impact, start taking your allergy medications two to three weeks before your symptoms usually begin.

Avoid first-generation antihistamines

Antihistamines are grouped into first- or second-generation medications, and these affect your body differently. If you plan to take an oral medication to treat hay fever, think twice before using first-generation antihistamines such as diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine. They can cause drowsiness and symptoms like dry mouth, dry eyes and constipation. Consider non-sedating treatments such as cetirizine, levocetirizine, fexofenadine, loratadine or desloratadine instead.

Take avoidance measures

Be proactive to keep pollen at bay. Close your car and home windows during the spring allergy season as breezes carry microscopic pollen particles. Take off shoes when you enter your home and consider immediately putting clothes in the wash to get rid of pollen. Finally, shower and shampoo at night before bed so pollen is not being transferred from your hair to your bedding.

Be cautious of pollen counts

Consider immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is designed to target your exact triggers through a shot or tablet and can greatly reduce the severity of your symptoms. Immunotherapy can also prevent the development of asthma in some children with seasonal allergies. Talk to your allergist about which form of immunotherapy is right for you or your kids.

Allergists are specially trained to help you take control of your allergies and asthma, so you can live your best life no matter the season. Find an allergist in your area at ACAAI.org.