Are you dreading the upcoming spring season due to your seasonal allergies? You don’t have to let a runny nose and itchy eyes ruin your outdoor plans. By following these tips, you can look forward to this season as opposed to dreading it.
- Know Your Triggers: One of the most important steps in reducing seasonal allergy symptoms is understanding what triggers your allergies. A variety of airborne allergens, such as pollen and mold spores can trigger seasonal allergies. The most common triggers for seasonal allergies are tree pollen (spring), grass pollen (summer), and weed pollen (fall). Other environmental allergens that can affect you throughout the year (perennial allergens) include triggers like dust mites, cockroaches, animal dander, and molds. It is important to identify the specific triggers that affect you so that you can take steps to avoid them and reduce your symptoms.
- Take Allergy Medication: While over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays can help relieve allergy symptoms, they are not a cure. Your doctor may suggest a more permanent solution like immunotherapy, otherwise known as allergy shots. Immunotherapy involves exposing you to small doses of the allergen in order to gradually reduce your body’s reaction to it. This process is often used to treat seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and Hymenoptera allergies (bee sting allergies).
- Taking Allergy Medicine in Advance: To prevent the onset of severe symptoms during peak seasons like springtime and summer, start taking your allergy medication a few weeks before they typically begin. This way, you’ll be ahead of the game and can enjoy the outdoors without worrying about an allergy attack.
- Clean Regularly: Keeping your home and car clean is key to reducing seasonal allergy symptoms. Vacuum frequently and use allergen-reducing products like dust mite covers for fabrics, mattress covers, and pillowcases. For best results, use a vacuum that has a HEPA filter to ensure that the particles are being removed from your living space. Additionally, you may want to consider wearing a mask while cleaning for extra protection against airborne allergens. You should also wash bedding in hot water at least once per week to keep allergies at bay.
By following these 4 tips for reducing seasonal allergy symptoms, you’ll be well on your way to a more comfortable spring season! Remember to practice good hygiene, know what triggers your allergies, take medication when needed, and start taking medication early in the season. With these steps, you will be able to better manage your allergies and enjoy the outdoors without worry. If you require further assistance with reducing your seasonal allergy symptoms, do not hesitate to contact us today at Bernstein Allergy Group! As a leader in the field of Allergy and Immunology in Cincinnati, we dedicate ourselves to providing the best-personalized care for patients of all ages with allergic conditions of all kinds.