Tips and Tricks to Relieve Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies affect millions of people across the United States, and Pennsylvania’s allergy season can be particularly long and brutal. The state’s allergy season may begin as early as February and extend until the first winter hard freeze. There are some easy ways to handle your allergies if you’re one of the many residents of Pennsylvania who suffer through challenging springs and summers.

What Causes My Allergies?

When the immune system overreacts to anything in the environment, seasonal allergies develop. According to John A. Holets, MD of Penn Highlands Family Medicine in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, “the immune system is essential in protecting your body against illnesses, viruses, and infections. However, sometimes it may mistakenly perceive items, such as pollen, as dangerous invaders and overreact, leading to an allergic response. The immune system tells cells to produce histamine in an effort to fight the deemed intruder, which increases mucus production, causes inflammation, and worsens other seasonal allergy symptoms.

What Can I Do to Lessen My Symptoms?

Sadly, there is no treatment for allergies. You may, however, take measures to lessen your symptoms and make allergy season more tolerable.

Reduce Your Exposure

Reducing your exposure to allergens is one of the easiest methods to lessen allergy symptoms. On days with high pollen counts, check your local pollen prediction and spend as much time inside as you can. Mornings are often the worst, and dry, windy days can be especially bad. If possible, keep your windows closed when pollen counts are particularly high.

Avoid Hardwork as Much as Possible

Mowing, gardening, and weeding stir up allergens in the air and aggravate your symptoms. If possible, delegate Hardwork to someone else. If you must be out in the yard, consider wearing a mask.

Shower and Wear Clean Clothes

After you have been outside, take a shower to remove allergens from your skin and hair and dress in fresh clothing. Pollen can stick to clothes and linens, so do not hang your clothes outside to dry either.

Use Air Conditioning or a Portable HEPA Filter

Running your air conditioner may help cleanse the air and eliminate allergies. Consider purchasing a portable HEPA filter, which traps allergens and airborne viruses, if you don’t have air conditioning.

What About Medication?

You might also try an over-the-counter medicine to aid with your symptoms. On days with high pollen counts, discuss beginning a medicine with your healthcare practitioner and take your medication before symptoms appear.

An antihistamine is the principal therapy for seasonal allergies. They work by inhibiting the production of histamine, a chemical released during allergic reactions that contributes to many of the symptoms of seasonal allergies. The following OTC medications, among others, may decrease allergy symptoms:

To alleviate symptoms including scratching, sneezing, runny or stuffy noses, and watery eyes, antihistamines are used orally. Examples include cetirizine, fexofenadine, and loratadine.

corticosteroid- containing nasal sprays: Nasal issues are helped by these sprays. Triamcinolone, budesonide, and fluticasone propionate are a few examples.

Cromolyn sodium nasal spray: This reduces allergy symptoms by blocking the release of immune system agents. It works best if treatment is started before exposure to allergens and usually needs to be used four to six times a day.

Oral decongestants: Pseudoephedrine is one example and may temporarily relieve stuffiness in the nose. Some medications combine an antihistamine with a decongestant, such as cetirizine-pseudoephedrine, fexofenadine-pseudoephedrine, and loratadine-pseudoephedrine.

Before starting any new medication, talk to your healthcare provider.

Conclusion

There are actions you can do to lessen your exposure to allergens and manage your symptoms if allergies are making you uncomfortable this summer. In sites around the area, Penn Highlands Healthcare provides comprehensive family medicine. From newborns to elderly members of the family, the doctors and other professionals give care. Remember that managing your allergies will allow you to take advantage of everything that the lovely state of Pennsylvania has to offer.

About the Author:

Summaya is a professional writer with a keen interest in spreading awareness about various health and wellness issues through her articles. She writes well researched articles by connecting with various doctors and health experts.