Stopping Spring Allergies Before They Stop You

As the weather warms up, plants start releasing pollen. These tiny seeds are supposed to fertilize other plants,听grasses听and trees. Sometimes, they do more than help their own species grow. They cause you to experience seasonal spring allergies.听

鈥淎llergies can cause a significant impact on quality of life,鈥 says听Dr. William Reisacher,听otolaryngic听allergist and professor of otolaryngology at AV研究所. Thankfully, he explains, 鈥淭here are many things that can be done for allergies.鈥

Some of them, you can do before the first allergic reaction of spring.

Know Your Spring Allergies

When pollen kicks your immune system into overdrive, the symptoms are obvious. Symptoms include:

  • Ear pressure
  • Headache
  • Itchy, watery eyes
  • Nasal congestion
  • Sneezing

To combat these symptoms, you听have to听know what causes your reaction.

鈥淭he most common spring allergen is tree pollen,鈥 Dr.听Reisacher听says. 鈥淢old spores are also very common in the early spring as the snow cover begins to melt.鈥

One way to know your allergens is to undergo an听allergy test. A common and quick approach is a skin test. During this exam, an allergy expert places a tiny听amount听of potential allergens under your skin. If a reaction occurs,听测辞耻鈥檙别听allergic.

Pay Attention to Your Environment听

Once you know your allergens, look out for them. Visit the听听for the latest pollen count information in your region. This can help you gauge your risk for spring allergies.

When spring allergy triggers are present,听测辞耻鈥檙别听at risk for seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis. You can reduce your risk with the following steps:

  • Avoid outdoor activity.听Stay indoors and away from outdoor allergens when your triggers are in the air.
  • Keep windows closed.听Opening windows on beautiful days may let allergens inside.
  • Swap your air filter.听Your air听conditioner鈥檚听filter captures many potential allergens. Get them out of your house by changing your filter regularly.

Medicate Against Spring Allergies

If spring allergies strike every year, start treatment before symptoms begin. An allergy specialist can help you know when to begin taking allergy medications and which听option听is best for you.听

Depending on your needs, you may听benefit听from one of the following:

  • Antihistamines.听When听you're听exposed to allergens, your immune system releases chemicals called histamines. These cause typical allergy symptoms.听Over-the-counter听or prescription antihistamines work to reduce or stop these symptoms.
  • Corticosteroids and decongestants.听These reduce congestion and other springtime allergy symptoms.听They鈥檙e听often taken as a nasal spray. You may听benefit听from an听over-the-counter听or prescription option.
  • Immunotherapy.听Your health-care provider injects you with an increasing dose of your allergen, week after week. Over time, these allergy shots build up your immunity. 鈥淔our years of therapy can give a patient 10 to 20 years of benefit after the therapy ends,鈥 Dr.听Reisacher听says. 鈥淚nstead of just decreasing symptoms, it actually makes a person less allergic.鈥

Conclusion听

You听诲辞苍鈥檛听have to let听allergy symptoms ruin your day. With a few simple steps, you can stop allergens in their tracks and reduce your springtime sniffles and sneezes.

  • Tree pollen is the most common cause of spring allergies and can cause symptoms such as headache and congestion.听
  • Staying inside and regularly replacing your air听conditioner鈥檚听filter reduces your exposure to triggers and the risk of allergy symptoms.
  • There听are听multiple听over-the-counter听and prescription treatments for seasonal allergies. For best results, begin them before allergy season begins.

Ready to feel better in spring and the rest of the year?听听at AV研究所 today who can help you manage your allergies.听