HEALTH TIPS
Soothe Your Spring Allergies
The weather is finally getting warmer and, after a long winter, we are ready to get outside and enjoy the sunshine, green grass and flowers! But along with this nice change in seasons come the sneezing, watery eyes, blocked ears, and nasal congestion that is experienced by 10-30% of adults and up to 40% of children. Spring allergies come to life along with the season. Trees and grass begin pollinating and molds are more prevalent. But don't despair! A few tips can help to soothe those spring allergies.
1) Try changing your environment to help with symptoms. Watch the pollen counts and avoid outdoor activities when the counts are at their highest reading. In the spring, trees are pollinating throughout the day, which makes activity outside more difficult. Grasses pollinate in the late afternoon and evening. The pollinating season lasts longer in the warmer climates. If you are unable to avoid being outside during the peak pollinating times, you may try wearing a mask to help ease symptoms.
2) Filtering the air in your living space may help keep pollens out of your home. Closing the windows in your home or car and running the air conditioner is a good way to do this. Avoid running an attic fan during the bothersome season as this draws the pollens into your home.
3) Make your pet an indoor pet or an outdoor pet. Pets that go in and out all day track pollen into the house.
4) Over the counter nasal salt water rinses may help wash out pollens that become deposited in the nose and help with symptoms.
5) Over-the-counter antihistamines may help ease allergy symptoms if environmental changes didn't accomplish the task. Second generation oral antihistamines such as Claritin or Zyrtec, both available over the counter now, are taken once a day and generally work longer and have fewer side effects than other first generation antihistamines such as Benadryl. Talk to your pharmacist or physician about using them. If you are unable to find relief on your own, it may be time to see your physician or allergist for further treatment options.
6) For allergy sufferers whose main symptom is moderate to severe nasal congestion, a doctor may prescribe an intranasal steroid spray such as Flonase or Nasonex to help decrease the inflammation in the nasal passages and make them less sensitive to pollens. Decongestants such as pseudoephredine (found in Sudafed) or phenylephrine (found in Triaminic) can also help with nasal congestion and sinus headaches. Combination meds such as Allegra-D, Claritin-D or Zyrtec-D can ease both nasal congestion and allergy symptoms such as sneezing and itching. Again, you will need to consult with your doctor about taking these medications as some are not recommended for people with high blood pressure or history of stroke or heart attack.
7) Allergy shots may be an alternative for those suffering from severe allergy symptoms. Allergy shots desensitize a person's immune system to the pollen that triggers the allergy. Treatment takes about three to five years and must be done through an allergist.
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