How Can You Treat A Pollen Allergy
The best treatment is to avoid the allergen, but pollen is extremely difficult to avoid. You could try to reduce your exposure to pollen by:
- Staying indoors on dry, windy days
- Asking others to do the gardening during peak pollen seasons
- Keeping doors and windows closed when you know pollen counts are due to be high
For other info on how to breathe easy, we suggest you this article.
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 Pollen.com.
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.
Perfect Bouquets For Allergy Sufferers To Enjoy
Because of the multitude of flowers that do not irritate pollen allergies, its easy to find a beautiful floral arrangement that wont make you sneeze and itch. These lovely bouquets are perfect for allergy sufferers and can be enjoyed year-round without discomfort:
- Rose bouquets:;Maybe were biased, but we believe you can never go wrong with a bouquet of roses. These classic and elegant flowers are perfect on their own or paired with a variety of other blooms.;Rose bouquets can say so many things, from I love you to I miss you to Get well soon. Send a message to someone special with an allergen-free rose bouquet.
- Peony bouquets:;A soft pink peony bouquet looks lovely for a teatime table or to send some romance to that special person. Peony bouquets are full and bright, bringing light and color into any space.
Also Check: Can You Lose Sense Of Taste From Allergies
Is There Anything Else I Should Know About Seasonal Allergies
Yes. Scientists have recently determined that because of climate change, pollen season is likely to become longer and feature even higher amounts of pollen than it does currently. Right now in the US, it generally starts in mid-April and peaks in early May; by 2020, it’ll begin in mid-March, peak in April, and continue even later into the summer, with higher amounts of pollen in the air at any given time.
Happy sneezing.
Your Body On Allergies
So what exactly is happening in your body when youre exposed to an allergen like pollen ?
Essentially what happens is your immune system decides that it wants to become hyper-sensitive, or allergic, to something. So your immune system recognizes pollen as foreign and it releases a big amount of a chemical called histamines into your blood stream. What the histamine does is triggers this whole immune, or inflammatory, cascade of itchy, watery eyes and stuffy or runny nose. Some people are unlucky and it can be even more severe where they can have breathing problems, asthma attacks, and even bad skin reactions, like flare-ups of eczema, hives or rashes from it as well, because we have histamines and allergy cells throughout our entire body.
So why are you dying a slow death at your desk, while your co-worker just has the sniffles?
The severity of the immune response, and triggered symptoms vary from person to person. Just like any medical illness its a spectrum, where some people have a very severe, strong reaction where more body systems are involved and some people have it milder, says Parikh. Even within the same body system: For one person the itching in their eyes may be very mild, but Ive seen patients come in where their eyes are swollen shut.
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How Weather Impacts Spring Allergies
Weather plays an important role in how much pollen is produced, its distribution and how much pollen is in the air at a given time.
Allergy symptoms are often reduced on rainy or windless days because pollen does not circulate as much during these conditions. Pollen tends to travel more with warm, dry and windy weather, which can increase your allergy symptoms.
Pollen counts vary by time of day, season and weather conditions. Rain, wind and temperature are all important factors to consider when determining if pollen counts will be high, moderate or low on a particular day.
Overall, pollen counts tend to be higher in the morning,;as well as on warm, dry and windy days. Conversely, lower pollen levels are also typically observed during a stretch of cold and wet days. The National Institue of Heath Medline Plus recommends saving;outside activities for late afternoon or after a heavy rain, when pollen levels are lower.;
Watch Out For Natural Allergy Remedies
Neti pots and nasal rinse squeeze bottles can provide relief if youre looking for medicine-free ways to treat your allergies. However, Dr. Eidelman says its important to use distilled water with them to avoid getting infections and dont use ice-cold water unless you enjoy brain freeze. Most of these methods just involve flushing out the nasal cavity with salt water and theyre fairly safe when used correctly.
If you have tree pollen or plant allergies, he recommends steering clear of herbal remedies.
If you have pollen allergies, I dont recommend anything herbal. For example, people who are allergic to ragweed sometimes have serious allergic reactions to echinacea. Echinacea is a commonly used immune stimulant. Its an herbal product, derived from the purple coneflower, which is a close relative of ragweed. So, dont take echinacea if youre allergic to ragweed. With herbal products, keep in mind that just because somethings natural, it doesnt mean that youre not going to be allergic to it.
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What Are Spring Allergies
Those with allergies in the spring are typically allergic to pollen that begins to appear in the air. We started seeing tree pollen, one of springs main offenders, back in the early weeks of February. In the latter part of the season, we will begin to see grass pollen, and the combination can make the spring a miserable time for allergy sufferers.
While the exact cause of allergies is not known, an allergy occurs when your immune system produces antibodies when exposed to harmless foreign matter. Your immune system is mistaking allergens like pollen and dander for dangerous substances and fighting off them off with the immunoglobulin E or IgE antibodies. These produce histamine that can cause the allergic reaction and the telltale symptoms of allergies.
Can Allergies Make You Sick
Thereâs another reason to get your allergies in check, other than not wanting to be sneezing for four months straight. When irritants make their way into your nasal passages, it’s basically open season for cold viruses. Dr. Elliott explains that with allergens afoot, âYou produce more mucous, your sinuses get filled and clogged with fluid, and it sets up the ideal environment for viruses and bacteria to settle in and cause infections.â
This is largely because allergies are putting your immune system on high alert, which is stressful for your body. âAny stress on or in the body that activates the immune system can make you more susceptible to actually getting sick,â Dr. Jain says. âUntreated allergy symptoms can create constant stress on the body, which causes the immune system to prioritize fighting off the foreign allergen instead of recognizing and fighting off viruses and bacteria that enter the body.â In other words, allergies distract your body from the âreal enemiesâ â viruses and bacteria that can make you sick â which can make you much more susceptible to developing an actual illness.
Experts:
Dr. Sanjeev Jain, M.D., doctor double-board certified in immunology and internal medicine, Columbia Asthma and Allergy Clinic
Dr. Tania Elliott, M.D., clinical instructor of medicine and immunology, NYU Langone
Recommended Reading: Is Pine Nuts A Nut Allergy
How To Avoid Pollen Exposure
Unlike avoidance of pet dander and dust mites, it is more difficult to avoid exposure to pollen, since it is present in the outdoor air. Here are some tips to minimize pollen exposure:
- Keep windows closed to prevent pollen from drifting into your home.
- Minimize early morning activity when pollen is usually emitted between 5 and 10 a.m.
- Keep your car windows closed when traveling.
- Stay indoors when the pollen count is reported to be high, and on windy days when pollen may be present in higher amounts in the air.
- Take a vacation during the height of the pollen season to a more pollen-free area, such as the beach or sea.
- Avoid mowing the lawn and freshly cut grass.
- Machine-dry bedding and clothing. Pollen may collect in the laundry if it is hung outside to dry.
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.
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How To Know What You’re Allergic To
Since it takes a while for the allergy to build up and hammer you, it can take a while to track down whats driving it. You dont have to know exactly which grass or tree is your nemesisdosing up with OTC allergy medication can usually squelch symptoms .
Another path, which I took, is to visit an allergist. I got tested for 46 different allergens, and all but onea slight allergy to dust mitescame back negative.
I decided to try OTC medications and rolled through a few, none of which had any effect on me whatsoever. After months of that, my allergist offered another diagnosis altogether: What I likely had was an almost-allergy. In some people, artificial fragrances create symptoms that mimic an allergic reaction, but theyre not actually allergies. I probably was hypersensitive to some manufactured scents and perfumes.
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.
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Why Are Some Flowers Worse For Allergies Than Others
Determining which flowers will cause the worst allergic reactions has to do with the gender of the plant, as only male flowers produce pollen. Some plants contain all male or all female flowers on each individual plant. These flowers, called dioecious, rely on wind or insects to carry pollen from a male plant to a female plant to reproduce.
Other plants, called monoecious plants, contain both male and female flowers on the same plant, meaning that pollen must travel from flower to flower but not from plant to plant. Some monoecious plants contain male and female parts in the same flower. Theyre often called perfect flowers and do not require pollen to be transferred at all, as a single flower can reproduce on its own.
When it comes to allergies, dioecious flowers tend to pose the biggest threat, as pollen must travel long distances for the plants to reproduce. As pollen is carried from flower to flower, some is inevitably dispersed into the air. Monoecious flowers can also cause reactions for allergy sufferers when the pollen travels between flowers. Perfect flowers are the best option for allergy sufferers, as they produce little to no pollen.
If You Want To Give Your Dog An Antihistamine Like Benadryl Here Are Some Things To Consider:
- While typically safe, every dog reacts differently to antihistamines, according to the VCA. They may cause drowsiness in some dogs and hyperactivity in others.
- If you purchase an over the counter;medicine;for your dog, check the label to make sure it doesnt contain any other ingredients like decongestants or pseudoephedrine, which are;NOT safe for dogs.
- Its also important to note that dosage for humans and dogs will not be the same.
We recommend talking to your veterinarian before giving your dog any over-the-counter medication to ensure the dose is accurate and that there are no adverse reactions with any other medications they may be taking.
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Seasonal Allergies And Stuffy Ears
Allergies are another unwanted accompaniment to spring. While most think of allergies as sneezing and sinus pressure, it is important to remember that the ears and sinuses are interconnected.
“People take it for granted that allergies cause sneezing in the nose and itching in the eyes. Yet they seem surprised to learn allergies inevitably affect their ears as well,” said Dr. Ronna Fisher, Au.D.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, seasonal allergies affect between 10 and 30 percent of adults in the U.S. and as many as 40 percent of children, which means as many as 60 million people in the U.S. suffer from not only sneezing, itchy eyes, itchy ears,;and sinus pressure, but ear pressure as well. The warm, wet weather of spring causes trees to produce more pollen. For those who are allergic, the immune system reacts by producing antibodies.
Those antibodies release a substance called histamine, which leads to increased mucus production. Unfortunately allergies also cause swelling of the Eustachian tubes, meaning they dont open as they should. This causes the Eustachian tubes to become clogged with the excess fluid and wax, and the result is a feeling of fullness and pressure in the ears that can negatively affect hearing.
What Exactly Causes Spring Allergies
by Enticare Updates | May 3, 2021 | Allergy, Research
Spring is in full swing! Many of us look forward to this time of year: warmer weather, bluer skies, and more sun. Though Spring ushers in much to be excited about, it is also often characterized as allergy season!;
According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology,nearly 10% of the population experiences seasonal allergies. The most common symptoms associated with seasonal allergies include: sneezing, itchy and/or watery eyes, congestion, and a scratchy throat. These symptoms can be experienced daily and throughout the Spring, creating discomfort as you navigate daily life. Understanding Spring allergies and ways you can effectively manage symptoms can drastically alleviate its impact.;;
Causes of Spring Allergies
Spring allergies are activated when the immune system identifies the allergen as potentially harmful to the body. This misidentification then causes the immune system to release antibodies to neutralize the substance preventing it from threatening the body and overall health. Every time a person comes into contact with the allergen, these antibodies detect the substance and release chemicals including histamine into the bloodstream. This reaction then causes the symptoms we commonly associate with allergies: runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, irritated eyes, itchy skin etc.
Treatment
; ; ; ; ; Nasal Spray: alleviates nasal congestion and pressure in the nose.
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Spring Is Here 5 Things Allergy Sufferers Need To Know
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Due to global climate changes,;allergists warn that spring allergy season continues to worsen each year. ;Dr. Jigisha Morosky, an allergist/immunologist with Starling Physicians, addresses the most common questions about seasonal allergies.
How do you know if it is a cold, allergy or COVID?
Sometimes it is difficult for people to determine if sniffles, sneezes, sore throat and coughs are caused by allergies, a cold or even sinusitis. Dr. Morosky explains that;nasal allergy symptoms and common cold symptoms are essentially identical. Variables we examine are exposure to an allergen, like pollen or a pet, the duration of symptoms months versus 1 to 2 weeks, and if there is improvement while taking allergy medications.
Spring allergies can cause itchy water eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, sneezing, coughing and even hives.;The symptoms of a cold are often characterized by runny nose, sore throat and cough.; Patients with severe seasonal allergies can feel very fatigued and have low grade fever making the distinction even harder.
Acute sinusitis is characterized by a stuffy or runny nose accompanied by pain in the forehead and/or over the cheeks.; Often both the common cold and allergies can cause swelling of the nasal passages, which prevent the sinuses from draining, then this can lead to sinusitis.;Sinusitis can be treated with antibiotics, however it often recurs if due to uncontrolled allergies.
What are best over the counter methods to treat allergies?
