According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, more than 50 million Americans experience some type of allergy each year. Allergies are what happens when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance called an allergen. It could be something you eat, inhale, or touch, and the reaction can cause things like coughing, sneezing, hives, a rash, itchy eyes, a runny nose, or a scratchy throat. In severe cases, it can even cause low blood pressure, breathing trouble, asthma attacks and worse.
Spring is high time for allergies. That’s when trees release billions of tiny pollen grains into the air that can trigger a reaction among people with allergies when they breathe them into their nose and lungs. So how do you identify these allergies and how do you find relief from them? Here's a few tips.
1. Determine if its really allergies.
Not all itching, sneezing, congestion, runny noses, and watery eyes are caused by allergies. It might just be a cold or virus, which are still prevalent when the weather swings from cold to warm. But if you experience these symptoms, it’s more likely to be an allergy:
- If your congestion lasts for more than two weeks.
- If your eyes, nose, and the top of your mouth itch.
- If your mucus is thin and clear.
- If your symptoms are not accompanied by a fever or body aches.
- If your symptoms seem to get worse after you're exposed to triggers, like spending a day at the park or running outside.
The best way to manage any spring allergies you might be experiencing is to see your primary care provider, who can not only help identify allergies but can also come up with a personal allergy treatment plan to help you combat them.
2. Take over-the-counter allergy medicine – the earlier the better.
Antihistamines, which block your body’s response to allergies, are a godsend to many allergy sufferers. They’re available over the counter, help control a number of common allergy symptoms, and usually work in less than an hour. If you know springtime is tough and antihistamines work for you, it’s a good idea to start taking them before your allergies kick in or at the first sign of symptoms. It’s also a good idea to talk to your doctor about which one is right for you. And always read the package carefully so you’re aware of any warnings or side effects. If basic medications don’t relieve your symptoms, your doctor may also recommend allergy shots.
3. Reduce your exposure outside.
Staying inside is the best way to avoid allergic reactions, but it’s not the most fun way to spend your spring. So if you want to go out, try these tips:
- Check pollen counts on your favorite weather app to pick the best days and times. Peak times are usually from 5 to 10 a.m. and at dusk. Pollen is also higher on warm, breezy days. It’s typically lowest after a good rain.
- Wear glasses or sunglasses to keep pollen out of your eyes.
- Wear a mask and or gloves when you do outdoor activities like mowing the lawn or working in the garden.
- While riding in the car, have your air conditioner on the “recirculate air” setting.
4. Keep pollen out of your house.
You definitely don’t want pollen following you into the house after you’ve been outside, so follow these suggestions to control pollen in your home:
- Remove your shoes before entering your home.
- Change and wash your clothes after being outdoors.
- Clean pollen off pets with a towel before they come in the house.
- Clean the floors with a vacuum cleaner that has a high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) filter.
- Keep the windows closed.
- Use central air conditioning with an asthma and allergy friendly air filter.
- Use a dehumidifier to help keep the air inside dry.
- Dry laundry in a clothes dryer or on an indoor rack, not on an outdoor line.
- Take a shower and shampoo your hair before bed.
- Use a nasal rinse to flush inhaled pollen out of your nose.
- Wash your bedding in hot, soapy water once a week.
Spring allergies are no picnic, but you don’t have to dread them or let them control your life. With an ounce of prevention and the right treatment, you can manage your spring allergies and still enjoy the season. We hope you do. And if you find you need help from a primary care provider, you can find one by clicking the button below.