EVERYTHING ABOUT SEASONAL ALLERGIES

Introduction

There is a lot of information related to seasonal allergies that you may not be aware of. In this article, learn about the most important of this information. Below, you will find out the most important information related to seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Seasonal allergies occur when the immune system is exposed to substances in the environment and shows an allergic reaction to them, such as pollen that plants release into the air. Therefore, the prevalence of allergies increases significantly in the spring and fall seasons.

Seasonal allergy symptoms

Allergy symptoms
Allergy Symptoms

Seasonal allergy symptoms range from mild to severe. They appear suddenly and persist throughout the person’s exposure to the allergen. They may include the following:

  • Runny or stuffy nose.
  • Ear congestion.
  • Itchy and teary eyes.
  • Itchy throat or sinuses.
  • Headache.
  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Hard breathing.

Causes of seasonal allergies

Seasonal allergies usually occur when mold releases its spores outdoors, and trees release pollen into the air to fertilize other plants. People can be allergic to one or more types of pollen or mold. Allergies also occur when you are exposed to dust, plants, insect bites, and pet dander.

Dust mites are also one of the most important allergy irritants. They are small insects that are not visible to the naked eye. They may exist in many places, such as pillows, curtains, carpets, and dolls, which are a fertile environment for their reproduction.

Diagnosis of seasonal allergies

Seasonal allergies are usually easier to diagnose than other types of allergies, as only having allergy symptoms at certain times of the year is a sign of seasonal allergies.

In addition, the doctor may examine the ears, nose, and throat to make a diagnosis. Usually, allergy testing is not necessary in this case.

Seasonal allergies treatments

Allergic woman suffering
from a runny nose

There are several steps that can be taken to get rid of the annoying symptoms of seasonal allergies and help you to pass the allergy season safely. They include the following:

Take antihistamines

Antihistamines can help you get rid of sneezing, itching, a runny nose, and watery eyes. Examples of oral antihistamines include loratadine (Claritin, Alavert), cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy), and fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy). Older antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), are effective but can make you sleepy.

The patient can use over-the-counter medications, such as antihistamines, which help treat allergic reactions by preventing or reducing the release of histamine, a chemical that the body produces when exposed to allergens and causes symptoms.

Use decongestants

Oral decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Afrin) can provide temporary relief from the pain of a stuffy nose. Decongestants also come in the form of nasal sprays, such as oxymetazoline (Afrin) and phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine). Nasal decongestants are only used for short-term pain relief. Long-term use of decongestant nasal sprays can cause symptoms and worsen your condition (rebound congestion).

Nasal spray

Cromolyn sodium nasal spray can relieve allergy symptoms. It does not have serious side effects. However, it is most effective when started before symptoms appear.

Compound medications

There are a number of allergy medications that combine an antihistamine and a decongestant. Examples of these oral medications are Drexoral, which combines the antihistamine dexbrompheniramine maleate with the decongestant pseudoephedrine sulfate, and Claritin-D nasal spray, which combines the antihistamine loratadine with pseudoephedrine sulfate.

Wash your sinuses

Flushing the nasal corridors with sterile distilled saline is a quick, inexpensive, and highly effective treatment for relieving nasal congestion. Washing removes mucus and allergens directly from the nose. All you need to do is get a squeeze bottle or a small bowl with a nozzle designed for nasal irrigation from a pharmacy or health food store.

Next, uses sterile distilled water that has been boiled, cooled, and filtered using a narrow pore filter to make the saline perfusion. Ensure that the irrigator is washed after each use using sterile distilled water that has previously been boiled, cooled, and filtered. The irrigator must be left in the open air to dry.

Use alternative therapies

Lots of natural remedies have been used to treat hay fever symptoms. These treatments may include extracts of Aramus shrub and spirulina (a type of dried algae). Many other natural remedies are used to treat allergies, but their benefits are not clear and some of them may be unsafe. Talk to your doctor before trying one.

Seasonal allergies prevention

Spring is the season in which flower buds appear and trees blossom. If you’re one of the millions of people with seasonal allergies, spring can mean sneezing, congestion, a runny nose, and other unpleasant symptoms. Seasonal allergies — also called hay fever and allergic rhinitis — can make you miserable. But before you choose plastic flowers and artificial turf, try these strategies to keep seasonal allergies in check.

Reduce your exposure to allergens

To limit exposure to things that trigger allergy symptoms (allergens), you should follow these pieces of advice:

  • Do not go out on dry and windy days. The best time to go outside is after it rains, as the rain clears pollen from the air.
  • Delegate someone else to mow the lawn, weeds, and other routine gardening tasks that may cause the allergens to appear.
  • Take off the clothes you wore outside. You may also want to take a shower to wash off the pollen from your skin and hair.
  • Avoid spreading your washed clothes outside, as pollen may get stuck to sheets and towels.
  • Wear a dust mask if you do housework outside.

Rinse the nose with water and salt

Rinsing the nose with a saline solution is an effective and quick way to remove pesky dust and pollen stuck in the nose.

Avoid going out during unhealthy weather

In addition to closing the windows, it is also advisable not to leave the house on dry days when the wind movement is strong.

Keep the air inside your house clean

There is no miracle product that will rid you of all the allergens in the air in your home, but the following suggestions may help:

  • Use the air-conditioner at home and in the car.
  • If using air-conditioning in your home, use high-efficiency filters and follow regular maintenance appointments.
  • Keep the air dry indoors with a dehumidifier.
Allergy tests
Allergy Tests
  • Use a portable HEPA filter in the bedroom.
  • Clean floors very often with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a high-efficiency air filter.

It is essential that the allergy sufferer or the person exposed to it breathes fresh air throughout their stay in the home. So be careful to use air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and clean surfaces and floors frequently to get rid of dust.

Get rid of dust mites

Change bedding frequently, clean furniture and carpets with hot water, and dry them well. Also, get rid of all the pieces covered with fabrics as much as possible because they pick up dust, and allow mites to stay for a long time.

Take extra steps when pollen amounts are high

Symptoms of seasonal allergies can occur when there is a lot of pollen in the air. The following steps can help you recover after exposure:

  • Watch the television, radio station, local newspaper, or the Internet for pollen forecasts and their current levels.
  • If high amounts of pollen are expected, start taking allergy medications before your symptoms begin.
  • Close doors and windows at night and at any other time when pollen counts are high.
  • Avoid outdoor activities in the early morning as pollen counts increase.

When some treatments are not enough, see a doctor

What should you do if none of the above preventive methods works?

For some people, avoiding allergens and taking over-the-counter medications is enough to relieve these symptoms. But if seasonal allergies keep bothering you, don’t despair. A number of other treatments are available.

If you have bad seasonal allergies, your doctor may recommend that you must have some skin or blood tests to find out what allergens cause your symptoms. Testing can determine what steps you need to take to avoid specific triggers and determine the treatments that are likely to work best for you.

For some people, allergy shots (allergen immunotherapy) may be an option. This treatment, also known as desensitization, involves regular injections containing small amounts of the substances that cause your allergy. Over time, these injections reduce the immune system reaction that causes these symptoms.

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