Have Allergies 6 Signs You Should See A Doctor
For the millions of people who suffer from seasonal allergies, spring may mean constant sneezing, watery eyes and itchiness on the roof of the mouth. If youve come to expect these symptoms when pollen goes airborne each year, you may get through the so-called hay fever season by popping over-the-counter allergy pills and trying to stay indoors. But if youve grown tired of this routine, or if it isnt sufficient, perhaps youve been wondering if seeing a doctor could help to ease some of your discomfort.
How can you tell if you should see a doctor or if you should continue to manage your condition by yourself? Vijay Halari, M.D., a family medicine doctor with Hackensack Meridian Health Medical Group in Brick shared some signs that you should consider discussing seasonal allergies with a doctor:
How doctors can help to ease allergy symptoms
An allergist can diagnose a seasonal pollen allergy with a blood test or skin-prick test. A variety of treatments are available, including:
- prescription medications
Signs Of Spring: How To Cope With Seasonal Allergies
As appears in: Montclair LocalIn many ways, life has been put on hold in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. But there is no delaying that spring is here. I see signs everywhereflower buds on the trees and daffodils sprouting.
It is easy to forget about routine medical problems when we are preoccupied with COVID-19. However, for those of us with spring allergies, pesky symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes or nose, runny or stuffy nose, and watery, red, or swollen eyes severely impact our quality of life this time of year. More than 50 million Americans are thought to suffer from allergies each year. Ironically, now more than ever, when so many people are staying home, it is important to get outside for fresh air. Just remember to practice proper social distancing in accordance with latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Today a single sneeze puts everyone on high alert. But remember the symptoms of allergies differ from that of coronavirus or a viral infection. Coronavirus causes fever, cough, and shortness of breath .
Here are five tips to take charge of your allergies before problems occur.
Be proactive, start medications early.
There are lots of options. For itchy, watery eyes and a stuffy nose an oral medication is probably best. Nasal sprays can also help with congestion. Eye drops alleviate dryness.
If at first you do not succeed, try again.
Watch the pollen countand wash allergens off.
Pay attention to children.
Sorting Out Seasonal Allergies
Sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion. Symptoms of the common cold or allergies? Without the intervention of your physician, it might be hard to tell.
Whether its fall leaves or spring blossoms that send you into a tailspin, seasonal allergies can make you miserable. By taking a few simple preventive measures, you can help reduce your sneezing, coughing and general stuffiness, according to Pamela A. Georgeson, DO, an osteopathic allergist from Chesterfield Township, Michigan.
Focusing on preventive care, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs, look beyond your symptoms to consider how environmental and lifestyle factors impact your health. They are trained to listen and partner with you to help you not only get healthy, but stay well.
Allergies are an abnormal reaction by a persons immune system to a normally harmless substance, explains Dr. Georgeson. Seasonal allergiesmany times caused by pollen from trees, weeds and grassesare triggered during certain times of the year, such as fall or spring.
For people with seasonal allergies, this pollen reacts with antibodies in the body, causing histamine and other chemical substances to be released, which then cause various symptoms, explains Dr. Georgeson.
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From Runny Nose To Itchy Eyes
Symptoms of spring allergies include runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes and nose, congestion, sinus pressure and dark circles under the eyes. These symptoms can easily be confused with a common cold, but if they endure for more than a week, it is important to see a primary care provider and find out if you could have seasonal allergies.
Aside from causing discomfort and lowering quality of life, seasonal allergies can cause complications. This includes asthma, sinus or ear problems, and trouble sleeping. Allergies can sometimes lead to sinus and ear infections and can worsen asthma attacks.
How Can You Minimize Exposure To Seasonal Allergy Triggers
Even when pollen seems to be blanketing everything in its path, there are steps you can take to prevent allergies from acting up:
- Have your child wash their hands and face as soon as they come in from playing outside so they dont rub pollen in their eyes and nose. Better yet, rinse them off in the shower.
- Check the forecast for pollen levels, and limit outdoor activities when pollen counts are at their highest.
- Dry laundry in the dryer. Since pollen can coat clothing, avoid hanging laundry outside to dry.
- Have your child take their bath at bedtime. This will help with nighttime allergy problems.
- Keep windows in your home and car closed and use air conditioning to filter the air. Make sure the air conditioner is on re-circulating mode.
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Talking About The Weather
Whats the spring allergy outlook where you live? Will sudden temperature changes trigger an asthma flare? Weather can play a key role in asthma and allergy symptoms and flu transmission. We partnered with Weather Trends International to provide weather forecasting and analysis for people with asthma and allergies.
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How Are Seasonal Allergies Diagnosed
Talk with your doctor if you think your child might have seasonal allergies. The doctor will ask if the same symptoms happen at the same time each year after your child is around an allergen, and do an exam. The doctor may be able to make a diagnosis, or might refer you to an allergy doctor for allergy skin testing or a blood test.
To find which allergens cause a persons symptoms, allergists usually do skin testing. During skin prick testing, an allergist or nurse puts a tiny bit of a liquid containing an allergen into the skin by making a small scratch or prick on the skin. They usually do skin testing on a persons forearm or back. The allergist then waits 15 minutes or so to see if a red, raised bump, called a wheal, forms. If it does, there might be an allergy. The allergist uses a ruler to measure the wheal and the redness around it.
Even if a skin test or a blood test shows an allergy, a child must also have symptoms to be diagnosed with an allergy for sure. For example, a child who has a positive test for grass pollen and sneezes a lot while playing in the grass would be considered allergic to grass pollen.
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Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Seasonal colds and cases of the flu may increase your risk of developing a URTI. People with asthma are also more prone to these types of infections.
But having a URTI doesnt automatically mean you have asthma. While both conditions may lead to coughing, a URTI can also result in the following symptoms:
Does Yale Medicine Offer Specialized Allergy Care
Yale Medicines Allergy & Clinical Immunology physicians have expertise in diagnosing and treating allergies and immunologic diseases. The department schedules weekly conferences to guide care of complex allergy cases, so patients benefit from multiple expert opinions.
In addition, we conduct research to determine the molecular basis of allergic disorders in order to develop new ways to treat people with allergies. Our goal is to help you better enjoy the seasons as they turn by keeping the achoos in check.
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What Else Helps Relieve Pollen Allergies
After spending time outside, its a good idea to wash your face and hands, and consider taking a shower and changing into fresh clothes to prevent tracking pollen indoors. Even if you decide not to shower right away, its wise to shower before going to sleep to keep pollen out of your bed.
Finally, while it cant provide 100 percent protection against seasonal allergies, wearing a surgical mask can help to reduce your exposure when gardening, mowing the lawn and performing other outdoor activities.
What To Do If You Find Mold In Your Apartment
You should act immediately if you discover mold in your apartment. Notify your landlord right away, and consider asking them to turn to a professional mold inspector. Mold tends to grow in concealed places, such as behind appliances or walls, and professionals have the right equipment to detect it.
Once you or a mold inspector has detected a problem, your landlord should address the problem right away. They may clean the mold themselves or hire someone to do it. Properly sealing barriers and preventing further leaks, spills, or floods, then replacing, removing, or bleaching affected areas can solve the mold problem. However, toxic mold may require a professional mold removal service. Black toxic mold can pose a danger to people, and it can easily spread if it is not properly handled.
If you find mold on your personal property, you can discuss that damage with your landlord. However, depending on the terms of your rental agreement, you may need to replace your personal items. You may send a claim to your renters insurance company.
You can take a few steps to prevent mold from growing in the first place. Dry any moisture you see as soon as possible, and make sure you dont leave standing water anywhere. Whether that water comes from something you spill in the bedroom, or its around the kitchen sink, drying it out will help stop a mold problem before it begins.
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Treat Youral Lergy Symptoms
No matter how vigilant you are, you can’t get rid of spring allergens all together. That’s why it’s important to treat your symptoms every day. Unlike most allergy pills, once-daily FLONASE nasal sprays treat nasal congestion,* one of the most bothersome symptoms,6 plus sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose, and itchy, watery eyes. Learn how FLONASE can help you get the most from the spring season, without your symptoms.
*vs single-ingredient antihistamines that do not treat nasal congestion.
FLONASE SENSIMIST is indicated for itchy, watery eyes in adults and children 12 years of age and older. See product pages for full information.
Don’t Fear Spring Allergies And Asthma
- Health & Wellness
- Lung Health and Diseases
It’s finally spring! The days are getting longer, flowers are starting to bloom, the weather is warming up and oh, unfortunately asthma and allergy triggers are making their seasonal appearance.
Pollen is perhaps the most obvious springtime asthma and allergy offender. As flowers, weeds, trees, grass and other plants begin to bloom, they release pollen into the air. If you’re allergic to pollen, you know what happens nextachoo! Sneezes, sniffles and a strong desire to draw the blinds and stay inside for a couple of months. Allergic reactions can cause symptoms in your nose, lungs, throat, sinuses, ears, lining of the stomach or on the skin. Allergies can also trigger symptoms of asthma, making it more difficult to breathe. And pollen isn’t the only spring allergy and asthma trigger. Air pollution and temperature changes can also make your symptoms worse.
But don’t fear. You don’t have to trade your spring kickball league for a Netflix account or wear a hazmat suit to venture outdoors. Follow these tips to ensure your spring is every bit as exciting as it is for Potoka the giraffe.
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You Probably Dont Have These Symptoms
Remember, some of the symptoms in the first two sections may also be symptoms of COVID-19, so if you feel under the weather, you should get tested for COVID-19 to be sure. A runny nose and sneezing, in particular, are common allergy symptoms and common symptoms of COVID-19.
If youre experiencing any of these symptoms, theres a good chance you have a cold, COVID-19 or another virus:
- Aches and pains throughout your body
- Severe headache
If you know youre allergic to pollen, you can try an app like Zyrtec AllergyCast to check the pollen counts and see if its a good idea to go outside.
When Is Allergy Season And How Long Do Seasonal Allergies Last
Actually, there isnt just one allergy season. Instead, there are certain times during the year when allergy symptoms may be more severe, depending on what youre allergic to.
As for when allergy seasons start and stop, it depends on where you live. If you have indoor allergies, you could experience allergy symptoms year-round including in the winter. But generally, there are three seasons when outdoor allergens trigger annoying symptoms: Spring, summer and fall.
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You Have The Symptoms
The easiest way to tell if you have seasonal allergies is by knowing what the common symptoms are. If you are suffering from the following, then you likely have seasonal allergies:
While you may have these symptoms, you may be worried that you might have something more. A good way to tell that you might have something more serious is by having these symptoms:
- A severe headache
It’s Easy To Get The Care You Need
See a Premier Physician Network provider near you.
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, youre not alone. Millions of Americans share your misery, with sneezing, congestion and a runny nose. Symptoms can also include rashes or hives, itchy, watery eyes and a scratchy throat or ears. Seasonal allergies are especially common in southwest Ohio. Your troubles may be limited to spring or fall, but some people struggle with these annoying symptoms all year long.
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How Does An Allergic Reaction Occur
When you come in contact with the same allergen later, the body is ready to respond with its protective IgE antibodies for that allergen. The antibodies attach themselves to white blood cells called mast cells that line the mucous membrane of the nose, eyes and lungs and cause inflammation. Cilia, the tiny hairs that trap and sweep allergens out of the way, become bogged down with mucus and fluid and allergy symptoms appear.
How To Know If You Have Mold In Your Home Causing Allergies
If theres mold inside your home, the last thing you want to do is waste any time getting rid of it. Mold can grow quite quickly. In just a few weeks, you may find that it has spread to multiple places within your home. Although you may want to get rid of mold the moment you know its there, its not always easy to know that you have mold in your house. How can you tell that theres mold somewhere in your house?
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Do I Normally Have Seasonal Allergies This Time Of Year Are These Symptoms Consistent With My Normal Allergy Symptoms
If you answered yes to both questions, then that should reduce the concern that you have COVID-19, especially if you dont have a fever.
If you dont normally get seasonal allergies or your symptoms are different, that may be cause for concern. You may want to get tested for COVID-19 and/or consult your doctor.
There is no precise way to determine if you have seasonal allergies or COVID-19. Consider the big picture. Review your symptoms, recent contacts and your personal health history. If at all in doubt, contact your doctor to discuss your concerns.
Why Does Subfloor Mold Develop
Subfloor mold usually develops due to an undetected moisture intrusion between the different layers of flooring, especially when the finish flooring is sheet vinyl, laminate flooring, or ceramic tile. I say especially only because if your flooring is carpet, the moisture is much more apparent and quickly and easily discovered.
Unwanted moisture can originate from many different sources such as a slow supply line leak on a faucet or toilet. Another common, and usually harder to determine source of excess subfloor moisture, is a faulty wax ring seal under a toilet that allows water to escape from drainpipes and affect the subflooring. Anytime you have warm temperatures , a source of water, and organic food materials like plywood or OSB, it is possible for mold to develop.
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Can Allergies Cause A Sore Throat
Postnasal drip is the main reason allergies cause a sore throat. When congestion in the sinuses drains down the throat, it can cause tickling or scratchy pain. This can also result in coughing, excessive swallowing, throat irritation and difficulty speaking.
If you tend to suffer from allergy symptoms year-round, you will likely notice your symptoms getting worse during seasons of high airborne irritants.
