March 20th is the official first day of spring! As we are excited for warmer weather and flowers blooming, some people are bracing themselves for a flare of allergies. Spring allergies can last anywhere from early March to beginning of June. When plants grow and bloom, they also produce pollen. Pollen from trees, weeds, and grasses can circulate in air and spread around with the wind or a breeze. Inhaling these can trigger a response in our body such as runny nose, postnasal drip, itchy eyes. If you suffer from Spring Allergies, here are are some helpful tips to help fight them this spring!
- Start taking your allergy medications before the spring allergy season begins (nose sprays or antihistamines)! This will help prevent manage symptoms by reducing your reaction before it starts.
- Remove allergen sources from your home the best you can. Keep your home and car windows closed. Use air purifiers to help circulate the air. Use central air conditioning.
- Use saline nasal rinses after a day of being outside (we love the NeilMed saline rinses).
- Change and wash your clothes after being outdoors.
- If doing yardwork outside, wear a mask and gloves to minimize direct exposure to possible allergens.
- Avoid peak pollen times, usually around 5-10 a.m. and at dusk. Pollen is also higher on warm, breezy days.
- Clean your pets with a towel when they come inside to reduce the spread of pollen.
What are some of the symptoms of allergies? Symptoms may vary from person to person, but can include some of the following: sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose, itchy/water eyes.
How do I know if I have allergies? If you experience some of the symptoms of allergies listed above, it’s possible that you suffer from allergies. Formal diagnosis by an experienced healthcare professional is needed to confirm that you have allergies.
How can Montgomery County ENT help with your allergies? Here at Montgomery County ENT Institute, we discuss your symptoms and complete a thorough physical exam. We offer in-office formal skin allergy testing. This allows you to understand what allergies you have and at what time of the year they are likely to bother you. From there, we come up with a plan to treat your allergies and symptoms. This may include over the counter medications, nose sprays, or immunotherapy.