Spring is a beautiful time of year, but it can also cause dreaded allergies. Allergy season is no fun, but here are some tips to manage your allergy symptoms this spring. According the the Harvard Medical School, there are three ways to medically manage your allergies:
1. Antihistamines – These medications are the mainstay for treating the sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes that come with allergies. Antihistamines also relieve hives and other symptoms of some food allergies.
2. Decongestants – Decongestants help relieve the stuffy, blocked-nose symptoms of nasal congestion. Short-term use of decongestants usually provides good symptom relief and can make you feel better quickly.
3. Allergy shots – Allergy shots can help reduce sensitivity to the triggers that set off your allergies. This therapy involves injecting small and increasing amounts of allergens (substances that cause allergic reactions) over regular intervals.
There are also many other ways to help relieve or minimize allergy symptoms, and some examples form WebMD include:
Allergy Proofing Your Home – You are not able to control the pollen that is outside, however you are able to keep your windows closed and run the AC. Another tip is to change your clothes as soon as you get home, and even take a shower, which will minimize the remaining pollen!
Probiotics – Healthy bacteria lives within our bodies, and some studies have shown that probiotics can reduce your runny nose and congestion.
Protect Yourself – Most pollen peaks between 5am and 10am, so avoid outdoor activities if possible. When you are outside, wearing a dusk mask and sunglasses can help prevent pollen from contacting your eyes, nose and mouth.
Saline Sprays – These salt water sprays can flush out pollen and other irritants that are in your nasal passages.
We hope that these tips will help you enjoy spring and manage your allergy symptoms!
Please visit any of our six UNI locations if you are experiencing allergy symptoms. No appointment needed, walk-in, get evaluated, and feel better!
This information is not a substitute for medical advice nor is it intended as such. If you have questions about your health please contact our office, or 911 in case of an emergency.