Finally, the first signs of spring! The beginning of sunny days, spring cleaning and the flowers are in bloom. Goodbye bulky winter wear and hello light summer clothes. But when you step outside to breathe in the fresh air of spring you’re suddenly hit by your dreaded allergy symptoms.
About 40 million people in the U.S. have some type of “indoor/outdoor” allergy, known as seasonal allergies, hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, says Clinical Allergy Professor James Sublett, MD, from the University of Louisville.
You don’t have to live with allergies; you can control them before they attack. If you experience allergy symptoms such as watery eyes or a stuffy nose frequently during the spring season you should consult a doctor and ask about allergy medication.
Wondering why you suffer when spring arrives? You could say the cause of your allergy symptoms doesn’t fall far from the tree.
“Allergies have a strong genetic component—if your parents had allergies, you’re far more likely to have them yourself,” says Sublett.
Although most allergies spring up during childhood, some people don’t experience them until later in life due to environmental factors that trigger allergies. Allergies are basically your body’s defense system that says, “Get away!”
The most common allergy triggers stated by The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America are: tree, grass, and weed pollen; mold spores; dust mite and cockroach allergens; and cat, dog and rodent dander.
Common allergy medications that doctors prescribe are: topical nasal sprays, inhalants and over-the-counter antihistamines. If certain medicines do not work or stop working after a period of time, consult your doctor about switching medications.
You don’t have to stay indoors on a beautiful day to prevent an allergy attack. Try controlling your allergies by controlling you environment.
- Fully cover your body when going outside and change when you go back in.
- Wear a respiratory mask if you have severe allergies.
- Try medications before you go out to prevent an attack.
- Keep an eye out for pollen counts in your area; take advantage of low pollen days.
- Get an air filter to filter the area in your house and reduce allergens.
- Get a humidifier/dehumidifier depending on your climate to regulate moisture.
- Use a Neti Pot to clean your nasal passages
- Vacuum and clean surfaces to get rid of dust and dander
…and while we’re at it, let’s bust a few common allergy myths! According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology:
- Over-the-counter (OTC) oral antihistamines are less effective than prescription medicines in controlling a stuffy nose. OTC antihistamines may control some allergy symptoms but have little effect on relieving a stuffy nose or inflammation that often occurs with allergies.
- OTC decongestant nasal sprays are not addictive. However, overuse leads to the need to use more and more nasal spray in order to get congestion relief. Don’t use an OTC decongestant nasal spray for more than three days in a row.
- Sorry, eating local honey will not combat spring allergies.
- Pollen allergies can lead to food allergies. About one-third of people with pollen allergies also may react to certain foods because some pollens and foods have similar proteins. The reaction is usually mild and may include itchy, tingling mouth, throat or lips.
- Skin tests are more sensitive than blood tests for diagnosing allergies.
- Allergy shots are not necessarily more costly or time-consuming than taking medicine to relieve allergy symptoms. Over time, in fact, they may reduce an allergic person’s health-care costs.