Just before the winter starts, the allergy season starts peaking. Similarly, allergies are also quite common during the spring season when the temperatures are warmer. Seasonal allergies are a big concern for many people and often require the intervention of an allergy specialist doctor.
What are allergies?
Allergies are simply a result of the immune system and body reacting to allergens in a negative way. These are of many different types and affect 50 million+ Americans on a yearly basis. Among these, allergic rhinitis is perhaps the most common seasonal allergy, which is also known as hay fever.
Typically, they are predominant during the fall and summer seasons. Furthermore, hay fevers do not have a single trigger. Rather, there are several, both outdoor and indoors.
While any external agent can act as an allergen, the most common allergens include birch, cedar, hickory, walnut, and birch trees. Other than that, grasses include Bermuda, Kentucky blue, and timothy. Different weeds, including sagebrush, pigweed, and ragweed, can also cause similar symptoms.
Other than that, dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores are also known as common allergy triggers for people.
Response to allergies
Every person has a different response to an allergen. Typically, people experience a range of symptoms that include coughing, itchy eyes, runny nose, hives, rashes, scratchy throat, congestion, sneezing, asthma attacks, and other breathing problems.
How to get relief?
Well, the first step to getting relief would be to visit an allergy doctor near you. Nothing is better than professional medical help. So, this is something that you should not delay. But other than that, you must also be able to take some precautions until the doctor’s appointment comes in.
Check if it is an allergy.
Sometimes when the temperature fluctuates during a changing season, the human body reacts differently. As a result of this, congestion occurs, and it is not always due to allergens. Sometimes, the seasonal viruses are to blame.
If you have noticed that your congestion is lasting 2+ weeks, then the chances are that you are suffering from an allergy and not a virus. These symptoms are going to increase if you get exposed to allergy triggers. Furthermore, they may also affect your nose, throat, and eyes.
Get OTC medicines
OTC antihistamines and decongestants can help you get relief. But these medicines, even though they are over the counter, should not be used without getting advice from a doctor. Antihistamines can help one manage the symptoms of allergy, including runny nose, itching, and coughing.
The first generation of antihistamines includes Dimetapp, Chlor-Trimeton, and Benadryl. Similarly, the second generation of antihistamines includes Allegra, Claritin, and Zyrtec. These medicines come with some side effects, though, including constipation, rebound congestion, and drowsiness.
Nasal rinses
Nasal rinses come in the form of neti-pots or nasal sprays. These are saline in nature and help clear any pollen that might be present in your nasal passages. As a result of this, the allergy symptoms remain minimal. Similarly, for the throat, one can use salt water for gargling two times a day to ease the inflammation and irritation.
Staying indoors
This is one of the most common solutions. During the pollen season, it is best to keep your windows closed and to stay indoors to minimize the interaction of pollen with your nasal passages.
Conclusion
In the end, remember that only a doctor at an allergy clinic can help you get relief. It is also not recommended to use OTC medicines without getting advice first, as the doctor will check your past health history first. After all, OTCs are not suitable for every single person.
