How Can You Treat Seasonal Allergies
There are several over-the-counter medications that are available to treat seasonal allergies. It is important to start allergy treatments approximately one month before the season starts.
Oral antihistamines Antihistamines, such as Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra, can help relieve sneezing, itching, a runny nose and watery eyes.
Nasal sprays Cromolyn sodium nasal spray, such as Flonase, can help ease allergy symptoms
Combination medications Some allergy medications such as Claritin-D and Allegra-D, combine both an antihistamine with a decongestant.
Preparing Your Dog For Spring
Despite the early sunsets and short days, the winter months can certainly feel long. If you and your pooch prefer the warmth, be reassured that spring is just around the corner. As we anticipate the change of seasons, its time to start switching gears.
You and your dog may feel more than ready for spring, but are you adequately prepared? Read on for some tips to prepare your pup for spring.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Allergies
Allergic reactions can be mild, like a runny nose, or they can be serious, like difficulty breathing .
Some types of allergies cause multiple symptoms. And in rare cases, an allergic reaction can become very severe this is called anaphylaxis . Signs of anaphylaxis include trouble breathing or swallowing swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat or other parts of the body and dizziness or loss of consciousness.
Anaphylaxis usually happens minutes after exposure to a trigger, such as a peanut, but some reactions can be delayed by as long as 4 hours. Luckily, anaphylactic reactions don’t happen often and can be treated successfully.
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Allergies That Affect Your Sleep
Though any type of allergy could interfere with your sleep, airborne allergens that you breathe in are the primary culprits of nighttime allergy symptoms.
That includes allergies to:
- Mold
- Cockroaches
These allergies trigger nasal congestion that makes it hard to fall asleep, wakes you during the night, and rouses you too early in the morning.
As anyone whos ever had a cold knows, the nasal congestion alone interferes with your sleep. But other allergy symptoms also contribute to the problem. A runny nose, sneezing, postnasal drip, and an itchy nose, mouth, or eyes can all sabotage your sleep.
Theres another problem you may encounter when your allergies cause a stuffy nose at night. The congestion affects the pressure in your upper airway, which blocks air flow and makes you briefly stop breathing. This condition, called sleep apnea, can happen frequently during the night.
Every time you stop breathing, your brain nudges you back to consciousness just enough to take a breath and resume breathing. You probably wont know it happened, but it still disrupts your sleep.
Will Air Cleaning Devices Help
Air cleaning devices might help. But the best way to improve your air quality is to get rid of the sources of allergens and irritants from your home. Take measures to avoid and reduce your contact with allergens. Also increase the flow of outdoor air into your home and reduce humidity as much as possible.
Reducing humidity decreases dust mites and mold growth. Air conditioners help reduce humidity too. They can also prevent outdoor allergens. Keep your windows and doors closed. Turn your air conditioner on recirculate. These steps can help reduce outdoor allergens like pollen and mold.
Air cleaners with CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® filters can filter almost 98% of allergen particles in the air. Look for CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® devices.
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Managing Your Allergy Symptoms
The easiest way to control allergic rhinitis symptoms is to avoid your triggers, but we know that isnt always an option. Another simple treatment involves using medications, like antihistamines, decongestants, and topical corticosteroids. But, if you have persistent allergies or cant tolerate medication, we often recommend immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy involves slowly introducing the known allergen to your body so you can build a tolerance to it. We do this is in slow increments to avoid triggering an allergic response, starting with very small quantities. Over several months, we gradually increase the amount until you reach the allergic dose without reacting. Then, we switch to a maintenance dose. This treatment occurs less frequently, typically once a month, to maintain your tolerance and control your allergy symptoms.
We offer two different types of immunotherapy: injections in our office and sublingual immunotherapy taken under the tongue at home. Each of these approaches is equally effective, but SLIT can be more convenient because it requires fewer office visits and often costs less. SLIT is also safe enough to use on people with high allergic sensitivities, children, and those with asthma. In addition to treating allergic rhinitis with immunotherapy, we can also use it to help with chronic non-severe food allergies.
To start managing your allergies year-round, at Florida Ear, Nose, Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery or schedule an appointment online today.
Get Tested For Allergies
Our staff at More MD offer on-site allergy tests that involve pricking your skin with small amounts of common allergens, including mold andpollen, to determine how your body reacts.
If you have an allergy to a certain substance, a small, itchy welt will appear on your skin. By understanding what youre allergic to, you can help avoid allergens. Testing can also help our team determine how best to treat your allergies using medications or immunotherapy.
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Keep Your Allergies Under Control With These Tips
TIP! If you purchase any type of antihistamine for allergy purposes, be sure that you test it first. This type of medication can cause drowsiness and slowed reflexes.
We have all heard of allergies and their debilitating symptoms however, many people are not truly aware of how difficult it is to live with chronic allergies. When you know how to get your allergies in check, you can just go about living life again rather than living life in fear. This article will provide you with advice to help you deal with allergies.
TIP! Choose flooring other than rugs or wall-to-wall carpet in your home. Carpet fibers harbor allergens such as pollen, dander, dust mites and dust.
If you suffer with allergies and thinking about getting a pet, choose one that has short fur. Certain types of fur or hair can be less or more problematic for allergy sufferers. In order to ameliorate the effects of animals, never sleep in the same bed with your pets.
TIP! Before you sleep at night, get rid of the allergens by showering thoroughly. During the daytime, your skin and hair may become covered with dust, pollen or spores, which makes you more likely to experience allergic symptoms during the night.TIP! Peoples tolerance to allergens changes as they age. A childs first exposure to potential allergens comes in the form of different foods.
Tips For Managing Spring Allergies
While springtime in Idaho is abundantly beautiful, your itchy eyes and scratchy throat beg to differ. Along with natures emerging beauty often comes severe allergic reactions that might make you wish for snow again.
Allergies can be very irritating, but you can keep your symptoms under control by following these simple tips from Dr. Baker.
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Keep Your Seasonal Allergies Under Control
Wellstar allergists provide expert care for seasonal allergies and other chronic conditions, such as asthma.
As the weather starts to warm and flowers bloom, spring is in the air and so is pollen. If you deal with frustrating symptoms like a stuffy nose, sneezing or watery eyes, youre not alone. Each year, more than 50 million people in the United States have allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Wellstar knows every Achoo! can impact your daily life, making it difficult to enjoy outside activities with family and friends. Instead of sitting on the sidelines, you can use simple strategies to take control of your seasonal allergies.
Tips For Keeping Your Allergy Under Control
Tons of people immediately get associated with allergies when spring is mentioned. Here are some tips to keep them under control if youre someone thats really suffering from the symptoms.
Obviously, if you are really allergic to it, you should not have it inside your home. Make sure to keep your windows and doors closed, especially when a lot of wind is blowing which can potentially bring all of that unwanted pollen inside your home. Another common tip is to not do your laundry outside and leave it hanging there during these periods. If the pollen gets on your clothes, you will experience the symptoms even more severely. Consider vacuuming and dusting very often during the spring, this will keep the floors clean and as allergen-free as possible. Make sure to check this list of amazing hacks for allergic reaction, it helped tons of people and it will definitely help you as well.
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Is This Really An Allergy
Lets determine if you are experiencing a seasonal allergy or a cold or flu virus. Your first clue is whether the symptoms are occurring around the same time every year . If the answer is yes, check if you have any of these common allergy symptoms:
- Congestion that lasts for a couple of weeks
- Itchy nose, eyes, or roof of the mouth
- Above symptoms worsen when you go outside
- No body aches or pains
How Are Allergies Diagnosed
If your family doctor suspects you might have an allergy, he or she might refer you to an allergist for further testing.
The allergist will ask you about your own allergy symptoms and about whether any family members have allergies. The allergist also will do testing to confirm an allergy. The tests will depend on the type of allergy suspected, and may include a skin test or blood test.
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Seasonal Versus Perennial Allergies
You can have seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis. If you have seasonal allergies, your issues typically worsen in the spring, summer, and early fall. And, even though its called hay fever, thats rarely the cause. Season allergies are typically due to a sensitivity to mold spores or pollens from grasses, trees, and weeds in the area. One of the most common culprits of seasonal allergies is ragweed.
Perennial allergies, on the other hand, cause symptoms all year long. These symptoms often come from indoor allergens like dust mites, pet dander or hair, cockroaches, and mold. Allergic rhinitis can also increase your sensitivity to irritants like cigarette smoke, perfumes, and other strong aromas.
You can have both seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis. If you do, we can help you regain control so you can start enjoying life again all year long.
Is It Possible To Control Indoor Allergens
You can control indoor allergens with cleaning and reducing allergens in your home. The main sources of indoor allergens are:
- Pets
- Mattresses that arent in allergy covers
- Pillows and bedding you cant wash in hot water
There may be more allergens on surfaces than in the air. Surface allergens enter the air easily when you disturb them by dusting or sitting.
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When To Call A Doctor
If you find that you are getting sick frequently or are regularly experiencing symptoms like coughing, congestion, or difficulty breathing, you may want to talk with your doctor.
You should also consider consulting your doctor if you feel that your allergies are interfering with your daily life or if OTC medications are no longer able to help you manage your symptoms.
Your allergist can help you develop a plan tailored to your needs and evaluate which treatment method is right for you.
Make Your Bedroom An Allergen
Focus on keeping your bedroom free of allergens. Airborne allergens collect on bedding, under beds and dressers, and on curtains. Wash your bedding frequently using hot water, put allergy covers on your pillows and mattress, and routinely dust the furniture and vacuum the floor.
It also helps to eliminate certain fabrics because they harbor dust, pollen, and pet dander. If possible, get rid of carpeting and curtains and instead use hardwood flooring and blinds that are easy to clean.
Take your clothes off before you go into the bedroom to be sure you dont carry outdoor allergens into the room. Allergens in your hair carry over to your pillow and trigger your symptoms. The best way to solve that problem is by showering every night.
And were sorry to say that if youre allergic to pet dander, you should keep animals out of your bedroom.
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What Things Are People Allergic To
Some of the most common allergens are:
Airborne particles. Often called environmental allergens, these are the most common allergens. Airborne particles that can cause allergies include dust mites mold spores animal dander and dried saliva from your pets and pollen from grass, ragweed, and trees.
Foods.Food allergies are most common in babies and may go away as people get older. Although some food allergies can be serious, many just cause annoying symptoms like an itchy rash, a tingly tongue, and diarrhea. The most common food allergies are: milk and other dairy products, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts and tree nuts, and seafood.
Insect stings. The venom in& insect stings can cause allergic reactions, and can be severe and even cause an anaphylactic reaction in some people.
Medicines. Antibiotics medicines used to treat infections are the most common type of medicines that cause allergic reactions. Many other medicines, including over-the-counter medications , also can cause allergic reactions.
Chemicals. Some cosmetics or laundry detergents can make people break out in hives. Usually, this is because someone has a reaction to the chemicals in these products, though it may not always be an allergic reaction. Dyes, household cleaners, and pesticides used on lawns or plants also can cause allergic reactions in some people.
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How To Help With Dog Allergies
Dealing with allergies isnt fun. When a person has an allergy, they can voice their discomfort and seek treatment. Dogs, on the other hand, dont have the same ability. When theyre dealing with allergies, they cant tell their pet parents how they feel.
Being able to recognize the signs of allergies in dogs is essential. With the right course of treatment, pet parents can figure out how to help with dog allergies and manage the issue or presenting symptoms so the canines can be kept happy, healthy, and more comfortable.
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Turn Off Your Overworked Defense System With Proper Medication
The most effective way to fight seasonal allergies is to figure out the root cause and treat it. Dr. Baker and his team will perform the necessary testing and offer treatment options to stop spring allergy symptoms before they begin. Treatment will also help your immune system build the necessary antibodies to ward off future symptoms. This approach does not have to be your last resort! Many patients reach out for treatment early in the year or set up annual treatment plans in order to preemptively manage their allergies before spring arrives.
For more information about how we can help you treat spring allergies, please visit .
Treating Severe Allergic Reactions
Some people with severe allergies may experience life-threatening reactions, known as anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock.
If you’re at risk of this, you’ll be given special injectors containing a medicine called adrenaline to use in an emergency.
If you develop symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as difficulty breathing, you should inject yourself in the outer thigh before seeking emergency medical help.
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Get Seasonal Allergies Under Control
Spring means warmer temps, blooming plants and freshly cut grass. For many of us, its a welcome change from winter. But for the 17 million American adults and more than 7 million children with seasonal allergies, its a challenging time of year.
Seasonal allergies typically occur in the spring, summer and fall. They are mainly triggered by pollen and mold from grasses, trees and weeds. Typically tree pollen is higher during the spring, grass pollen during the summer and ragweed during the fall. Mold is elevated from the spring through the fall, especially after a rainfall.
Your allergy type determines the type of symptoms you experience:
- Allergic rhinitis: runny nose sneezing nasal and sinus congestion itchy, red, watery eyes cough post-nasal drip throat clearing itchy mouth
- Asthma: cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness
- Skin: hives, rashes
Although some people are successful with managing their symptoms using over-the-counter medications, its a good idea to check in with your primary care provider or an allergist. He or she will review your health history, conduct a physical exam and may recommend allergy testing either skin or blood testing.
If avoidance isnt enough, medication may help. Both over-the-counter and prescription medications are available. These come in the form of pills, nasal sprays and eye drops and need to be used on a daily basis.
Prepare For The Airplane
If you have allergies and are planning to travel by plane, its a good idea to call your airlines ahead of time. Explain your concerns and medical condition to the airlines customer service representative. Typically, they will inform you of any policies or accommodations for specific allergies.
If you have a pet allergy, be sure to ask the airline whether or not they allow pets inside the passenger cabin. If another person has made reservations for a pet, its good to ask to be seated far away from them. As you ask questions about their policy for passengers with pet allergies, remember that its impossible to completely avoid pet dander as it gets on peoples clothing whether or not they have animals with them.
If youre planning to fly and have a food allergy, experts from Premier Allergy suggest asking about the airlines policy for such allergies. If possible, request to pre-board the plane so that you may wipe down the tray table and seat. Additionally, consider asking the airline if its possible to have a buffer zone near your row to keep the allergens away from your seat.
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