Spring is finally here! Trees are budding, and the flowers are blooming. Pollen levels rise rapidly, causing allergy symptoms. Typically, if you or your child suffer from allergies in the spring, it is probably an allergy to tree pollens. Grass and weed pollens may cause allergic reactions during the summer. In autumn, ragweed, fall flowers, and molds on fallen leaves may be the problem.
When someone suffers from allergic rhinitis, they have symptoms such as sneezing, watery, itchy eyes, runny nose, and sometimes cough. All of these symptoms are meant to protect the body by expelling the allergen or by swelling body areas,such as the nasal passages, so the allergen can’t enter.
There is no cure for allergies, but there are several types of medications available to help ease the symptoms, both over the counter and prescription.
Antihistamines are over the counter medications that come in pills and liquid and can be used for most ages. They include: Claritin (loratadine), Zyrtec (cetirizine) Allegra (fexofenadine), Benadryl (diphenhydramine). Generic medications can work well. To treat allergy symptoms, several allergy eye drops are available without prescription (such as Zaditor). Decongestant eye drops should only be used for a few days, since long term use can actually make symptoms worse.
Inhaled nasal steroid sprays can be useful to treat nasal congestion. These are prescription medications (such as Flonase, Nasonex, or their generic equivalents).
Beside from taking medication, you can decrease or prevent allergy symptoms by doing the following measures. Keep windows closed at home and in the car. It may feel good to catch a breeze from outside, but the pollen you’re allowing to enter your home or car can make your symptoms worse. That’s especially if you’re in a moving car, with the pollen hitting you fast. Instead, use your air conditioner at home and in your car because that will filter, cool, and dry the air. For your air conditioner and furnace, use a high quality HEPA filter, and change monthly. Bathe your pets frequently. Even if you’re not allergic to your dog or cat, it is probably a good idea to bathe the animal more frequently during ragweed season because it can track pollen into the house. Shower before bed so that you’re not introducing pollen from outside (which is on your hair or face) into your bed at night.
If these things are not working, or if you feel you need prescription medications, please call to schedule an appointment.
