How To Get Rid Of Spring Allergies

Easy Ways To Get Rid Of Allergy Face

Spring and early summer give four-season climate dwellers the chance to experience nature in all its mid-70 degree glory. And also the absolute worst allergies.

The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology estimates that over 50 million Americans deal with allergies in some form every year. And when pollen and other common sneezing-fit triggers are at their most rampant, it can also mean managing uncomfortable, visibly irritated skin. Which is the last thing you want when you’re dealing with a runny nose, trying to soothe an itchy throat, and convincing coworkers that no, you’re not quietly crying at your desk.

Luckily, there are a handful of easy things you can do that will both alleviate your allergies and help your skin look better in the process.

Is It Ok To Treat Allergies With Over

Dr. Eidelman says that many of the best nasal medications are now available over-the-counter. He adds that the options fall under a few different categories.

Antihistamines

The first category would be . Almost all of them are available over-the-counter now, but there are two basic groups. Older antihistamines, or first-generation antihistamines, are typically sedating and include medicines like Benadryl® . Second-generation antihistamines, which include medications like Claritin® , Allegra® and Zyrtec® , are much less sedating or nonsedating. These antihistamines would be the preferred ones for basic symptoms like itching, sneezing or runny nose.

Dr. Eidelman recommends being very careful with diphenhdyramine.

A lot of people use it and its very sedating. Studies have shown that when people who think theyre not sedated are put in a driving simulator, their reaction times are slower. And when left in a quiet room, these people fall asleep quickly. Its very deceiving. You might think the medication isnt affecting you, but youre compensating in some way and when youre put to the test, you may not function well. Also, it depends on your age. As you get older, the effects are more profound.

Decongestants and nasal sprays

Topical nasal steroid sprays are the gold standard for moderate to severe nasal allergies. They work well, but the thing to keep in mind is that they dont have an immediate effect. Thats the downside, he says.

How To Deal With Spring Allergies

Spring is here, and for people with seasonal allergies, spring means sneezing, coughing and itchy, watery eyes. Heres how to deal with that!

Spring is here and its a great time to get outside for fun in the sun. But for people with seasonal allergies, spring also means sneezing, coughing and itchy, watery eyes. Seasonal allergies occur when your bodys immune system overreacts to something in the environment. That something is usually pollen or grass. In addition, you could also be sensitive to other spring triggers that can aggravate allergies, such as campfire smoke, insect bites and stings, or chlorine in swimming pools.

How To Get Rid Of Allergies At Home

Were here to help though. Were going to share some home remedies that might be able to help your hay fever and allergic reactions. Please consult your doctor before trying these if youre unsure or have a complicated medical history. If you get the all-clear, these things can be done from the comfort of your own home.

What Causes Seasonal Allergies

Airborne agents , such as pollen, grass, mold, cedar, ragweed, or even some chemicals, are breathed in.  Once they enter our bodies, these allergens start to wreak havoc. The immune system mistakenly sees the pollen as a danger and releases antibodies that attack the allergens and release a chemical called histamine into the nose, eyes, and lungs. Histamine is intended to attack harmful agents and remove them from the body. One of the main things that histamine does is cause inflammation.

The good news is there are many natural remedies you can try to control your allergy symptoms:

How Many People Suffer From Allergies

According to Dr. Eidelman, one out of five people has some sort of allergy and the intensity can range from very mild to severe.

He says people with mild allergies tend to just grin and bear it. They may not have any particular need for medication. If their are a little bit more intense, they may take over-the-counter medications as needed.

But as you get further along that spectrum, the severity of the illness can become disabling. People feel very sick, they cant get out of bed, they cant sleep it can be intense. So, it all depends on where they are on that spectrum of intensity, he says.

Home Remedies For Allergies

Along with medications, the following natural remedies may be effective for relieving allergy symptoms:

• Saline nasal rinse. Using a saline solution to rinse your sinuses can help reduce congestion. Lin says saline rinses are helpful if you’ve been gardening or doing other outdoor activities. You can use a squeeze bottle or a neti pot, which is a small container with a spout. Be sure to use distilled water and to rinse the container with distilled water after each use.
• Butterbur. This herb may help relieve allergy symptoms without causing drowsiness. A of 125 people with seasonal allergies found that taking a butterbur tablet daily for two weeks was as effective as taking an antihistamine like cetirizine .
• Acupuncture. There is some evidence that acupuncture may be beneficial in relieving seasonal allergy symptoms. Acupuncture may help calm your body’s response to allergens.
• Foods rich in quercetin. Onions, garlic, broccoli, grapes, and berries contain quercetin, a plant pigment that is known to have anti-allergic properties that prevent the release of histamines. 

If you’re interested in purchasing any of these treatments, Insider Reviews has a useful buying guide for the best allergy medicine and home remedies. 

Tips To Ease Your Allergy Triggers

• If possible, stay indoors in the morning hours, when pollen levels tend to peak.
• Keep door and car windows closed
• Run the air conditioning indoors and use a high-efficiency HEPA filter to clean the air
• Change your clothes after youve been outside
• Shower and wash your hair at night rather than in the morning to get rid of any pollen before you go to bed
• Wear sunglasses to shield your eyes from pollen

How Allergy Shots Can Help Get Rid Of Spring Allergies

Spring is the worst season for anyone allergic to tree pollen, which can cause symptoms of allergic rhinitis such as itchy eyes and sneezing. Discover what you can do to help relieve your symptoms in Arkansas this spring.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, in 2014 more than 8 percent of children in the United States suffered from hay fever, and an additional 10 percent suffered from respiratory allergies. It is challenging to deal with spring allergies if you are unprepared. However, one solution you can explore to help eliminate the symptoms of spring allergies is getting allergy shots. If medicine doesnt give you enough relief and if you suffer from allergy symptoms more than 3 months a year, allergy shots may be the ideal option for you. In Little Rock, Arkansas, and the surrounding region, there are allergy clinics where you can get these shots. Here is how they will help reduce your symptoms so you can start feeling better soon.

What Do Spring Allergies Feel Like

If you are one of the 50 million Americans dealing with allergies, you know the tale-tell signs all too well. Common symptoms include runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing. However, some patients experience severe reactions to pollen like coughing, wheezing, and asthma attacks. Many also wonder if what theyre experiencing is caused by seasonal allergies or COVID-19. While some symptoms can be similar, like congestion and a runny nose, there are very clear differences between COVID-19 and seasonal allergy symptoms. Whether you feel mild or serious symptoms, allergies can put a damper on springtime fun. With a little more information on how allergies work and how to get relief, youll be able to get back into the swing of spring activities.

Symptoms Of Spring Allergies

According to the CDC, over 7% of American children and nearly 8% of adults experience seasonal allergies. Children between the age of 12 to 17 are especially vulnerable to these allergens. Additionally, the spring allergies might increase in severity and incidence of respiratory symptoms of people with .

The symptoms of spring allergies can vary from person to person, but commonly they have one of these:

• Itchy sensation
• Sore or itchy throat
• Swelling of a specific area

And many of these spring allergies are caused by allergens; these are some of the most commonly associated with allergic rhinitis trees in the U.S:

• Oak

Later in the season, grass can cause allergic reactions; some of them are:

• Red top grass
• Bluegrass
• Sweet vernal grass

Now that you have general information about the symptoms and causes of spring allergies lets find out how you can easily get rid of them.

RELATED: How to Get Rid of a Cough in 5 Minutes

What Happens During The Spring Allergy Season

When we talk about spring allergies, were talking about tree pollen, says Dr. Eidelman. In a temperate climate, there are three basic pollen seasons. You have spring which is tree season, summer brings more grass pollen and in the fall, you have more weed pollen and a little bit of mold.

He adds that in subtropical areas, there are still three main pollen seasons. However, the grass pollen season can be much longer and since these areas dont get winter weather or true frost to stop trees and plants from producing pollen, allergy seasons dont end.

If you feel like your spring allergies are worse year after year, youre not imagining things. What youve experienced was most likely due to global warming.

Dr. Eidelman explains.

With climate change, spring pollination has become worse during the last 10 to 20 years. As the seasons get hotter, were getting more pollen, longer pollination seasons and more intense pollination seasons. This seems to be a worldwide trend.

Limit Your Time Outdoors

Each spring, trees release billions of tiny grains into the air. When you breathe them into your nose and , they can trigger an allergic reaction. Staying inside can help, especially on windy days and during the early morning hours, when counts are highest.

When you do head outdoors, wear glasses or to keep out of your . A filter mask can help when you mow the lawn or work in the garden. Different types are available, so ask your doctor to suggest one that will work best for you.

Once you head back inside, âAlways take a shower, wash your , and change your clothing,â says Andrew Kim, MD, an allergist in Fairfax, VA. Otherwise, youâll bring pollen into your house.

Avoid Spring Allergies With These 7 Natural Remedies

March 4, 2021Ann MarieAll ArticlesBackyard PlantsHousehold Remedies

With the fresh feeling of spring comes pollen and allergies. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you probably dread this season . . . but there are natural remedies to help you combat that stuffy nose, itchy eyes, and headache. For those of you who prefer to avoid over-the-counter medications for your allergies, theres a better way.

Allergies are essentially caused by the bodys immune system kicking into overdrive when confronted with an allergen. The immune system leaps to attack the invader, producing excessive amounts of histamine, which results in a stuffy nose, sneezing, excess mucus, and itchy eyes. While the body is designed to act this way to get rid of potentially dangerous threats, it doesnt help much when it comes to allergies, so youll probably want to treat the symptoms, at least.

Possible Side Effects Of Decongestants

Pseudoephedrine can help with congestion and is found in combo medications like Allegra-D®, Claritin-D® and  Zyrtec-D®. Dr. Eidelman says its a good medication, but it can cause side effects and the side effects are more prominent in older people.

It can raise blood pressure and it can also cause palpitations because it is a stimulant. Overall, I dont recommend it for people with heart problems. I also wouldnt recommend that people over 40 take it regularly.

He adds that pseudoephedrine can also cause prostate problems. So if youre older, youre much better off with a topical nasal steroid.

Causes Of Seasonal Allergies

Hay fever happens when your immune system identifies an airborne substance thats usually harmless as dangerous. It responds to that substance, or allergen, by releasing histamines and other chemicals into your bloodstream. Those chemicals produce the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Common triggers of hay fever vary from one season to another.

Can Eliminate Allergies

Since allergy shots help your body build resistance to allergens, these shots can eliminate your allergy all together. They are also effective for providing relief in the case of multiple allergies. After starting your allergy shots, it may take four to six months to start seeing results in your allergic response.

Google Is Not A Doctor

While its tempting and easy to do a quick search for a cure on the Web, please remember that you cant always trust what you see to be true. If you have any questions about your allergies, feel free to call YourTown Health. The staff is happy to help.

With multiple locations, youre sure to find a clinic close to you. Visit our locations page to learn more.

Proven Ways To Get Rid Of Seasonal Allergies

Power of Positivity

Are seasonal allergies ruining your spring? Its hard to enjoy a blue sky and a meadow full of wildflowers when all that you can think about is the pollen thats just waiting to invade your sinus.

Fortunately, there are ways that you can fight back against allergies. There are steps that you can take to regain control of your health and enjoy the outdoors just like anyone else.

Are you ready to get rid of your allergies once and for all? Here are five suggestions.

Risks And Side Effects

While most of the supplements and tips described above can provide natural allergy relief safely, there are some precautions to keep in mind.

When allergies are mild or moderate, they are usually not very threatening and go away with time. However, severe allergic reactions can be dangerous and require medical attention.

Anaphylaxis is the term for a severe allergic reaction, which can happen due to contact with food allergens, drugs/medications or insect stings. Symptoms usually affect the lungs, blood vessels or heart and can include:

• trouble breathing
• rash
• vomiting

If you or your child experience these symptoms, head to your doctor or the emergency room right away to prevent complications.

What can you do for severe allergies? Your doctor may need to prescribe allergy shots or prescription asthma medications, such as bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids.

Discuss these options with your health care provider, and consider trying the natural allergy relief remedies described above in addition to using medications.

Tips For Surviving A Horrible Allergy Season

Experts say this spring’s allergy season may be one of the worst ones yet. Here’s how to deal with it.

This year, April really was the cruelest month for people with allergies and the rest of spring is looking pretty mean too.

Blame a perfect storm of weather conditions for the season’s awful allergies, including a snowy, rainy winter in some parts of the country that led to an abundance of tree and grass pollen; a sudden shift from wintry to warm weather that encouraged the pollen’s release; and windy conditions that sent particles airborne, where they enter our noses, throats, and eyes and trigger symptoms that range from congestion, sneezing, and itchy eyes to headaches, diarrhea, and even depression.

Indeed, pollen and mold spore counts hit all-time highs in certain parts of the country, making people prone to seasonal allergies even more miserable than usual, and even setting off allergies in people who usually don’t get them. “It’s been a difficult and intense spring for people with allergies,” says Mitchell R. Lester, MD, president of the New England Society of Allergy.

The five worst cities for allergies this spring are Knoxville, Tenn; Louisville, Ky; Charlotte, N.C.; Jackson, Miss., and Chattanooga, Tenn., according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, which uses an algorithm that includes airborne pollen and mold counts, and the number of allergy medications taken and allergy specialists available in each city.

Seasonal Allergies on the Rise

Natural Remedies For Seasonal Allergies

At this time of year, many people are suffering from seasonal allergies. The symptoms can include itching, sneezing, congestion and runny nose, headaches, red or watery eyes, and so on. They can vary from mild to severe, acute to chronic.

Seasonal allergies, sometimes referred to as hay fever, result from exposure to spores or pollen released into the atmosphere by fungi, grasses, trees, and other plants. That plant material is mistaken for an invasive protein by your bodys immune system, leading to the production of chemicals like histamine.  Histamine attempts to attack or expel the invader, resulting in the bothersome symptoms described above. Those who experience seasonal allergies are also intolerant to certain foods which they cannot easily digest. The poorly digested food is often regurgitated back into the respiratory tract leading to many of the allergy symptoms noted above.  The big food culprit is dairy products followed by eggs, poultry, red meat, bread/wheat, certain nuts, and alcohol. With the immune system becoming increasing compromised with continued consumption of the biggest food culprits, the person become more sensitized to other food triggers and environmental triggers.

1) Hydration through Water

When the respiratory and digestive systems are dehydrated, the immune system will cause a rebound effect leading to nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and/or coughing.  Do the following in order to optimize your hydration:

2)  Saline nasal rinses

• wounds

How Bad Can Spring Allergies Get

People can be very miserable. Their eyes can become itchy and swollen, their noses get congested, they sneeze a lot and if they have asthma, their lungs can become irritated.

Dr. Eidelman says if you have allergic rhinitis or nasal allergies, things can get really bad and may affect your quality of life quite significantly.

People might have trouble working or going to school. They may have trouble sleeping and they often feel tired. Even if they try to get enough sleep, its not normal sleep. So, work presenteeism can be quite common. This is when people show up to work or school but they cant function at 100% because theyre kind of out of it like they feel when they have a cold or the flu.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the United States. The annual cost from all of this is around $18 billion per year.

What Are Seasonal Allergies

Allergies are caused by the immune system overreacting to harmless substances in the world around us. Common allergens include pet dander, dust mites, foods , and pollen. 

When an allergic person is exposed to an allergen, the body releases histamine and other inflammatory chemicals, irritating the nasal passages, eyes, and throat, which produces allergy symptoms. 

Allergy symptoms can vary widely, from mild to severe, and are often confused for the common cold. The most common allergy symptoms include sneezing, coughing, itchy or watery eyes, a runny or stuffy nose, rash, and upset stomach . 

Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is a common reaction to inhaled allergens. Seasonal allergy symptoms can affect you only in certain seasons, or they can be triggered year-round. Pollen counts or ragweed might be allergy triggers in warm weather , but dusty, indoor air is just as irritating to some people in the winter. Seasonal allergies are widespread: up to 30% of children and adults in the U.S. have allergic rhinitis .

Start As Early As Possible

The thing about seasonal allergies is that you need to take them seriously. If you keep brushing them off, theyre more likely to take a toll on your body.

For instance, many people only use allergy meds on their bad days. Though this is better than nothing, it amounts to chasing the issue instead of preventing it. For best results, take your meds at a consistent time and keep it up throughout the season.

Next year, try taking antihistamine a week or two before the pollen season begins. This allows you to get a jump on your symptoms. The first day of spring tends to fall around the third week of March, so start your regimen before that.

How Can I Get Relief From Spring Allergies

One of the best ways to manage your spring allergy symptoms is to see a board-certified allergist. An allergist can help you come up with a plan to treat your allergies.

Your allergy treatment plan may involve:

• Taking allergy medicines, like antihistamines, before your allergy season begins
• Using a nasal corticosteroid sprays

• An immunotherapy option for your type of allergy

Check pollen counts at the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology so you can avoid outdoor activities on days when counts are high. You can also check pollen forecasts on .

Also, follow these tips to control pollen in your home and prevent bringing it into your home when after you spend time outside:

• Keep windows closed.
• Use central air conditioning with a CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® HVAC filter, if possible.
• Remove your shoes before entering your home.
• Take a shower and shampoo your hair before bed.
• Change and wash your clothes after being outdoor.
• Dry laundry in a clothes dryer or on an indoor rack, not on an outdoor line.
• Clean pollen off pets with a towel before they come in your home.
• Wash bedding in hot, soapy water once a week.
• Use a nasal rinse to flush out inhaled pollen out of your nose.

To reduce your exposure to pollen when you are outside:

You dont have to dread spring allergies. With the right treatment, you can manage your spring allergies and still enjoy the season.

Spring Cleaning: Clear Your House And Your Nasal Passages Getting Rid Of Built Up Dust And Mold Can Ease Allergy Symptoms

April 3, 2019

Charlotte, NC Lots of people view the coming of spring as an opportunity to clean out winters cobwebs and freshen up their home. Its also a chance to get rid of allergens that have been settling in over the winter and help ease your spring allergy and asthma symptoms.

If you arent someone who regularly undertakes spring cleaning, consider tackling it this year. A thorough cleaning helps get rid of things like dust, mold, pet dander and other allergens which may have been making you miserable all winter. Many people think spring and fall is when their seasonal allergies kick in. They might not realize indoor allergens can also cause chaos with your nasal passages and lungs and that a thorough cleaning can help.

Below are five tips from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology to improve your spring cleaning and ease your allergies and asthma.

Allergy Medications For Eyes

Over-the-counter and prescription can give short-term relief of some eye allergy symptoms. Prescription treatments can provide both short- and long-term help.

Sterile saline rinses and eye lubricants can soothe irritated eyes and help flush out allergens.

eye drops can curb eye redness by constricting vessels in the eyes. These drops tend to sting a bit, and they donât relieve all symptoms. Whatâs more, their effect tends to be short-lived. If you use them for more than a few days, it can cause ”rebound” eye redness.

eye drops containing can ease allergy symptoms for up to 12 hours. They wonât cause rebound redness even with long-term use.

Refrigerating your eye drops may bring more relief.

In addition to red, itchy eyes from allergies, many people also have other symptoms, like a stuffy, runny nose. If you do, nasal sprays can help your eyes and nose. Over-the-counter options include , , and . Several others are also available with a doctor’s prescription.

Oral can also help. and tend to be less sedating than some older drugs, and they provide longer-lasting relief. Keep in mind, though, that oral antihistamines do dry the eyes and can make a dry eye condition worse. 

If you need more help, a doctor can prescribe other eye drops. For severe or persistent cases, immunotherapy can also help.

Clifford W. Bassett, MD, assistant clinical professor of medicine and otolaryngology, Long Island College Hospital/SUNY Downstate, New York.