Coping with Allergies

When spring weather comes in, allergy sufferers find themselves often having a hard time. You don’t have to stay in your house all day to avoid these symptoms; there are plenty of options out there to help you control your allergies.

The most common allergens are pollen from trees, grass and weeds, mold, animal dander, and dust. If you aren’t sure what is causing your allergies, you may want to ask your doctor to do an allergen skin test to help determine what you’re allergic to. Once you know what is giving you trouble, there are ways to avoid those allergens.

The allergen that most complain about in the spring is pollen, which approximately 1 in 7 people are allergic to. If you find you’re allergic to pollen, try showering or bathing before bedtime to wash the pollen off of your skin. Also, keep your windows and doors shut, especially on windy, dry days and use an air conditioner in your home and car. Also invest in a vacuum cleaner with a good filtration system.

There are medicines you can take to help with your symptoms. Antihistamines can help with sneezing, runny nose and itchiness due to allergies. They are best used before you are exposed to allergens. Decongestants can relieve stuffy noses and come as pills, nose sprays, and nose drops. They are best used for only a short time and aren’t a long term solution. There are also nose sprays and eye drops, prescription and over-the-counter, that can lessen allergy symptoms. As with any medication, it’s best to ask your doctor what is best for you and discuss any side effects that may occur.

Also available are allergy shots. These shots contain a small amount of allergens. They are given on a schedule so your body gets used to the allergens and no longer reacts to them. These are used when the allergen can be identified and you cannot avoid it.

If you find yourself really suffering from allergies this spring, which can be anywhere from a scratchy throat, runny nose, to trouble breathing, it’s best to make an appointment with your doctor. Together you can decide the best course of action to manage your symptoms.