Discussion Contest: Springtime Smokin’ Tips

Happy Wednesday, folks!

I know this topic isn’t nearly as useful to many cigar enthusiasts as winter smoking tips, but I know I’m not the only one that suffers from allergies. I’m curious if you’re also affected, and if you have anything that you do to try and keep on top of your game now that it’s officially spring.

What are your springtime smoking tips?

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Until a few years ago, allergies were a word that I really didn’t understand. I mean, I knew what it meant… but I couldn’t empathize too well because it wasn’t something that impacted my daily cigar life.

Now, it seems that I’m constantly having to protect my ability to smell and taste. Here’s some of my staples to make the most out of a beautiful spring:

Flonase
Nasal Spray
Neti Pot
Humidifier at night

I’ll admit, the Neti Pot and I need to get acquainted again! It really is an amazing device that, when used a couple times a week, improve my ability to taste in a wide variety of environments. Definitely try to use it earlier in the day, however, as nighttime use isn’t my cup of tea.

The use of an allergy treatment will vary person-to-person, but I’m a big believer in using a nasal spray and/or humidifier in both the winter and summer months. Colder air is dryer in general, and it seems that my house is always dryer due to the heater running in the winter months or copious amounts of air conditioning the rest of the year.

This dry air ends up irritating our nasal passages and can cause them to become inflamed thereby reducing our sense of smell. At least, that’s my anecdotal experience in recent years. A little bit of moisturizing nasal spray goes a long way, making that oh-so-sweet sense of smell heightened again.

That’s it from me. Would love to hear if this is something that affects you as well, what you do about it, or if you’ve never experienced it before!

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Comments

Kyle

Created on: 3/25/2020 10:12 AM

Mine are dust related so I do my best to stay away from it. Also something with fresh cut grass gets me too. So usually I have to take a mucinex d on top of my regular allergy medicine which works ok.

Alex

Created on: 3/25/2020 10:25 AM

I go with an OTC Zyrtec equivalent in the morning, Breathe Right strips at night, and a NeilMed Sinus Rinse bottle when needed (I find being able to squeeze the bottle is more effective than gravity-only flow with a Neti Pot).

Joseph

Created on: 3/25/2020 10:38 AM

I find that my sense of smell is reduced drastically during the winter months first thing in the morning. I live in a cape cod that stays dry and warm in the master bedroom (upstairs). I use a humidifier to combat this affect on my nose and throat. I find myself waking up a night with a dry nasal passage way and sore throat if i dont. My taste buds and sense of smell seem off for the first hour or so. A humidifier helps me tremendously. Reduces the dehydration feeling and headaches. Plus it restores my sense of smell and taste.

Alan

Created on: 3/25/2020 3:15 PM

The combination of using a sinus rinse daily and the occasional use of Zyrtec usually keeps my allergies under control. If it's windy outside especially during the spring time I'll smoke inside.

Jason

Created on: 3/25/2020 4:31 PM

I stay under an electric blanket outside since it's still in the low 30s at night when I'm smoking.

Created on: 3/25/2020 5:09 PM

Find shade, bring out a cooling tower or fan if you can. Lots of water in addition to your beverage of choice. Lots of butane, reliable cutter, ashtray, a great line up of cigars, and some good company. I've had a few virtual herfs in this environment and they've been great. Stay health all!

Created on: 3/26/2020 8:03 AM

An occasional break to rest my palate and sinuses. Very rarely I will use a nasal spray at the first sign of congestion or a nasal rinse. If I have a cold I will use a humidifier at night.

Trevor

Created on: 3/26/2020 9:28 AM

This time of year I get hit hard with the mystical runny/stuffy at the same time nose and an itchy throat. My smell and taste get impacted and when my nose is stuffy. Nasal sprays do nothing, OTC meds do nothing, I just kind of have to wait it out. A warm shower helps, and if i eat spicy food or retro a Spicy cigar it opens me up.

andrew

Created on: 3/26/2020 10:54 AM

I'm in Houston, so dry air is not something I ever have to worry about down here, haha. we're hitting 90 degrees this week (we may get another weak front or two before full-on summer, but I won't hold my breath) with all the humidity, and everything outside is coated in a couple layers of pollen (this time of year is usually when I get a month long sinus headache). I've adjusted my smoking routine to only smoke in the late evening as the sun's going down. 9pm and later, the air from the Gulf moves back inland and the Humidity increases by 20-30%. once we hit the end of april/may, the heat and humidity forces me to stop smoking cigars and switch to pipe smoking, since I've noticed the high heat and humidity nearly always ruins a cigar, making them basically unsmokeable. plus with a pipe, I don't have to commit to 90-120 minutes of smoking like I would with a cigar. if it's too hot and miserable I won't smoke at all or maybe just a single bowl, which will only take 30-40 minutes.

never considered that a neti pot may help with my sense of taste.

Nicholas

Created on: 3/26/2020 8:38 PM

Claritin D 24 hour

Nick

Created on: 3/26/2020 9:14 PM

Neti pot or saline, I would stay clear of any other nasal sprays. I used to use Afrin or similar sprays if I was stuffy and that shit will destroy your nose (I know I lost some of my sense of smell from them).... I may take an allergy pill sometimes and usually just a generic Benadryl form for me.

James

Created on: 3/27/2020 9:19 AM

On top of allergy medicine I eat spicier food during the spring (obviously not before a cigar though). Helps clear my sinuses immediately, and also has anti-inflammatory properties that keep me breathing well all day. Using a humidifier at night also helps.

Michael

Created on: 3/28/2020 10:02 AM

Hot tea with lemon every morning has become my ritual to jump start the day and open up the sinuses a bit.

By no means a miracle cure, but fortunately my allergies aren't bad compared to some, and it's worked for me!

Matt

Created on: 3/28/2020 10:37 AM

I have absolutely no palate. Allergies have affected me my entire life. I take two different OTC pills, a prescription pill, an OTC nasal spray, and a prescription nasal spray every day just to stay “normal”. However, I don’t care about it. I enjoy cigars for the sheer enjoyment of them. While I can’t discern flavors — cedar and saltines and leather and chocolate — I know what I like and what I don’t. It works for me, and I’m happy it does. Cheers!

Frank

Created on: 3/28/2020 1:21 PM

Refrain from cooking with coconut oil, which tends to coat the palate and exacorbates other problems with taste and smell. I like using EVOO for most substitutive applications, and the occasional almond oil or sunflower oil for specialty applications.

Dave

Created on: 3/30/2020 9:13 AM

Congrats to Michael, and thanks to everyone else for participating!

Discussion Contest: Springtime Smokin’ Tips

What are your springtime smoking tips?

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