People in many regions of the United States suffer from spring allergies from February all the way to the summer. Most individuals afflicted with allergy symptoms experience some reaction all year-round. To find some relief and better manage your seasonal allergies, try using the following strategies.
Manage the Symptoms of Spring Allergies
1. Limit outdoor time
Spring is a very active time in nature. Trees and other plant life release a plethora of tiny grains of pollen into the air. We breathe these highly irritating particles into our sinuses and lungs, triggering allergy symptoms. Staying indoors when pollen levels are highest can be helpful. This would be on windy days and in the early morning hours.
It is also a good idea to wear eye gear to protect your eyes. Glasses, sunglasses or a mask, while you do yard work or mow your lawn, will help keep allergic pollen out. Once you get back inside, shower and change your clothing immediately, to avoid tracking pollen into the house.
2. Take a seasonal allergy medicine
If your symptoms are unbearable, medication is available to control the symptoms of spring allergies. Antihistamines are designed to block the body’s response allergens. Most provide relief within an hour. Read labels carefully, older formulations are known for causing drowsiness.
Nasal sprays are sometimes more effective for serious allergic reactions. However, this method may take several days to take effect. Sprays can also cause dryness, burning and sometimes nosebleeds. Start with the lowest dose possible to control spring allergies symptoms.
If other treatment options have proven ineffective, your physician may suggest allergy shots relieve your allergic symptoms. Such injections contain a small amount of pollen to help your system build up a resistance to the allergen. Typically, patients receive a monthly shot over a span of three to five years.
3. Be proactive about allergic reaction prevention.
Begin a course of medication before spring allergies symptoms start, about a week prior to the seasonal onset. This will allow time for the medicine to work, protecting your system before you need it.
4. Experiment with natural remedies.
Allergy symptoms do respond well to certain herbal remedies. Although more research is needed, the extract butter bur has been shown to be effective, as well as, biminne and Chinese skullcap. Consult with your doctor first before trying alternative remedies. Not all natural treatments are safe. Some plant medicinals can also cause allergic reactions and others don’t mix well with medications.
Reduce your exposure to allergy triggers
To decrease your exposure to the elements that trigger your allergy indications and symptoms (allergens):
- Stay indoors on dry, breezy days. The most suitable time to go outdoor is after a good rain, which clears pollen from the air.
- Avoid lawn mowing, weed plucking and other gardening routines that provoke up allergens.
- Remove clothes you’ve worn outside. Take shower to rinse pollen from your body.
- Don’t dry laundry outside, pollen can attach to cloths.
- Use a pollen mask if you do outdoor duties.
Steps while pollen counts are high
Seasonal allergy symptoms can grow up when there’s more pollen in the air. The following steps can aid you to reduce your vulnerability:
- Keep a check on pollen forecasts and current pollen levels.
- Stay indoors when pollen counts are high.
Try an over-the-counter remedy
Many types of medications can help relieve allergy symptoms. They include:
- Oral antihistamines. Antihistamines can benefit in reduce sneezing, itching, a runny nose and watery eyes. Examples of oral antihistamines are loratadine (Claritin, Alavert), cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy) and fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy).
- Decongestants. Oral decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Afrinol, others) can give momentary aid from nasal stuffiness. Use decongestants nasal sprays, such as oxymetazoline (Afrin) and phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine).
- Nasal spray. Cromolyn sodium nasal spray can relieve allergy symptoms and doesn’t produce severe side effects.
How Can I Get Relief From Spring Allergies?
Here are the ways to Manage Spring Allergies
1. Changing Your Eating Habits
Did you understand specific foods have a positive effect on allergy reduction? Fruit rich in vitamin C, anti-inflammatories, and fish raised in omega-3s has all been shown to be helpful. Here are a few elements to try:
- Ginger
- Tomatoes
- Turmeric
- Walnuts
- Citrus fruits
- Honey
2. Keep Your Windows Shut
There is nothing like a cool spring wind through an open window. But, wind can allow tiny quantities of pollen into your place, creating an allergic effect. While top pollen times, close your windows. If potential, use an air conditioner, instead of a fan, to cool off.
3. Drugs to Treat Allergy (Medication)
In common, there is no remedy for allergies, however, there are many types of medicines possible both over the counter and medicine which will help to ease and heal irritating signs like congestion and runny nose. These allergy medications combine antihistamines, decongestants, compound drugs, corticosteroids, and others.
Immunotherapy is another option that is kind of allergy shots or tablets under the tongue, which slowly raises your ability to handle allergens.
4. Antihistamines
Antihistamines have been practised for years to manage allergy symptoms. They can be taken as tablets, liquid, nasal spray, or eye drops. Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine eye drops can reduce red itchy eyes, while nasal sprays can benefit in treat the symptoms of seasonal or year-round allergies.
5. Anticholinergic Nasal Sprays
The medicine Ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) can decrease runny nose. When diffused into each nostril, it reduces mucus from the glands lining the nasal sections.
6. Steroids
Steroids, recognised medically as corticosteroids can decrease inflammation linked with allergies. They stop and treat nasal stuffiness, sneezing, and itchy, runny nose due to seasonal or year-round allergies. They can also reduce inflammation and expanding from other kinds of allergic reactions.
Tips for Coping With Spring Allergies
- Keep windows closed.
- Use central air conditioning which are asthma and allergy friendly.
- Remove your shoes before entering your home.
- Take a shower and shampoo your hair before bed.
- Change and wash your clothes after being outdoor.
- Dry laundry in a clothes dryer or on an indoor rack.
- Clean pollen off pets with a towel.
- Wash bedding in hot, soapy water once a week.
- Use a nasal rinse to flush out inhaled pollen out of your nose.
- While outing, wear sunglasses and cover your hair with hat etc.
- If doing yard work or cutting grass, wear an N95-rated mask, gloves, and sunglasses/goggles.
- While travelling in car, set your air conditioner to the “recirculate air” setting.