Managing Seasonal Allergies – Tips and Tricks
April 9 • 2024
It’s that time of the year when one day you wake up, and everything is covered in a layer of tiny yellow particles. The dreaded pollen, coming together with the beautiful blooming flowers that symbolize spring and new beginnings.
If you are among the numerous individuals who face challenges with seasonal allergies, the blossoming flowers can lead to months of discomfort. Enduring the spring season can be difficult, but there are methods to recognize and manage seasonal allergies. Let’s explore it below.
What is a Seasonal Allergy?
A seasonal allergy is called Allergic rhinitis and is commonly known as Hay Fever. Usually, this allergy only pops up during certain times of the year. For most people it’s during the spring, when flowers are blooming, and pollen is everywhere.
Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies
Symptoms for seasonal allergies aren’t the same for everyone and can range from mild to severe. They also usually coincide with cold symptoms, but luckily enough, Hay Fever is not contagious like the common cold is.
Here are some of the common symptoms of hay fever:
- Running or stuffy nose
- Watery and itchy eyes
- Sneezing
- Itchy sinuses, throat, or ear canals
- Ear congestion
- Postnasal drainage
Managing Your Seasonal Allergies
If you’re dealing with any level of seasonal allergies, the struggle to manage them can be difficult. Our Aylo Health providers have some helpful suggestions for you.
Limit Your Exposure
To alleviate your seasonal allergies, it’s important to minimize your contact with those specific allergens. However, limiting your exposure can seem overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be though, just a little planning and prevention can help you with your hay fever in the long-term.
Ways you can limit your exposure…
- Check the pollen count and stay inside if it’s too high
- Keep your windows closed (we know it’s beautiful outside, but this will help!)
- Change your HVAC Filter regularly
- Consider getting an air purifier
- Keep your pets clean, that’s right your favorite furry friend will collect pollen, dirt, and other irritants into the house after they’ve been outside.
- Take a shower as soon as you get home.
- Don’t re-wear clothes, this can help limit your exposure to pollen or anything else that’s built up on your clothes when you’ve been outside.
Take Medication
There are plenty of over-the-counter medications that can help you manage your seasonal allergies.
- Antihistamines
- Nasal Sprays
- Decongestants
You can also speak to your provider about medications they can prescribe to you or about ways to set up treatment plans.
Sinus rinsing is the practice of moving a saline solution through your nasal passages to clear out mucus and flush out debris and allergens. This is a great way to give yourself relief if you’re looking for medicine-free ways to treat your allergies.
When to See Your Doctor
Seasonal allergies are common, but you don’t need to tough them out if you’re not feeling well.
No matter where you are on your seasonal allergy journey, you can talk to your provider about how you’re feeling, how you would like to feel going forward and you can set up a treatment plan so you can live more comfortably.
Aylo Health is dedicated to assisting you throughout your allergy journey. We offer a blood allergy test called ImmunoCAP to help you identify the specific allergens that trigger your symptoms.
Book an appointment with us today to gain control over your allergies.