If you have seasonal allergies, you don’t need an app to tell you that it’s spring. After all, spring is prime time for allergies! You may notice that your nose, eyes, throat and ears don’t feel great during this time. Congestion, sneezing, itching and a runny nose get the better of you.
It is very common during spring to experience miserable allergic reactions to the high levels of pollen, spores and mites that come along with the opening of flowers and the fresh activity of the plant kingdom.
After staying indoors for the winter, these triggers will seem much bigger than they are to your immune system. This prompts a heightened allergic response. If you’re allergic to pollen or mold, spring is like going from 3 to 100 in a week’s time. It’s a lot to handle in a short amount of time, if your immune system is inclined toward allergic reaction.
Allergic rhinitis
Allergic Rhinitis is the medical name for seasonal spring allergies.
Preventing symptoms
Knowing how to stay well in spring can help prevent many uncomfortable symptoms. Keep an eye on the pollen count and stay indoors when it is high. It may be tough, but keep your doors and windows closed on these days.
Consider investing in an air purifier, clean the air filters in your house, clean any thing that may carry pollen frequently (this can include knit clothing and even your hair), vacuum frequently – if you’re especially susceptible, pick up a breathing mask to wear during vacuuming to avoid breathing in the pollen and dust that’s kicked up.
Allergy shots are a highly effective way to help minimize or even eliminate allergy symptoms. Allergy shots (also called immunotherapy) work by introducing your body to a diluted version of the allergy trigger. This will prepare your immune system to handle exposure and, over time, will usually reduce the symptoms from that trigger.
Treating symptoms
If your symptoms are interfering with your quality of life, you will want to talk to an allergy specialist right away. He or she can prescribe you medication, or recommend over the counter solutions to minimize the impact of these symptoms on your day to day life.
Stings and bites
Another serious allergy trigger comes back in the spring. Stinging insects like bees, hornets, wasps and yellow-jackets are a nuisance to everybody in the spring. Their sting can be life-threatening to those suffering from severe allergies.
For those with serious allergies, epinephrine (the EpiPen) is a good reactive treatment but may not be enough. Venom immunotherapy involves desensitizing people who have severe allergies to the venom of these stinging insects. It is up to 98% effective at preventing life-threatening allergic reactions.
For questions on allergy prevention, treatment or therapy, contact us today!