Springtime increases stuffy noses and itchy throats, and millions of seasonal allergy sufferers in the United States are unlikely to find respite anytime soon.
Several studies have found that pollen seasons are becoming longer and more intense throughout the country.
Climate change and growing carbon dioxide emissions are predicted to accelerate the development of trees and grasses in many places, resulting in higher pollen concentrations.
If you have been suffering from seasonal allergies for a long time, you may have noticed that allergy symptoms start early and last longer.
Are you wondering how you can deal with the allergies? There are plenty of ways to go about it as given by an allergy specialist.
Clean your sinuses
The technique of cleaning the sinuses dates back thousands of years to India’s Ayurvedic medical traditions, and its efficacy has been proven via numerous studies. To do it yourself, use a neti pot, bulb syringe, or squeeze bottle to pour the saline solution into one nostril and let it drain into the other.
It might seem like a simple concept, but it comes in handy at helping you flush out pollen, mucus, and other allergens in your nasal cavity. As a result, you feel less congested and may require less allergy medicine.
Find medication that works for you.
Several OTC and prescription medications can alleviate allergy symptoms. Many doctors recommend nasal steroid sprays.
While they are good, the downside is they may take a few days or weeks to get the relief you are looking for, so you need to start using them early in the season before your symptoms worsen.
Antihistamines are other options to consider. The cool thing about them is they have a more rapid effect.
Decongestants such as Afrin or Sinex can also help. While they are great, you should use them last since they can create a rebound effect.
After a few days of using them, the blood vessels in your nose tend to become less sensitive to the medication, and you may experience severe congestion again. So, keep these medications to no more than three days in a row.
It takes some trial and error to determine the ideal pharmaceutical regimen. If you have tried one medication and it doesn’t seem to be working for you, you should try other types to see if they’re more effective.
If you’ve tried numerous over-the-counter allergy medications, talk to your doctor about prescription options. An allergy specialist can help you develop a plan for your specific sensitivities ahead of time.
Be wise in how you spend time outdoors.
Many prominent weather apps and websites include “allergy forecasts” and pollen counts. The National Allergy Bureau website lists over 80 sites around the United States that provide more specific daily pollen updates depending on various plant species.
You can choose the station closest to you and receive notifications for the specific pollen allergy you have.
Pollen levels are often highest in the early morning and mid-morning. If you can exercise indoors at those hours or run errands later in the evening, you will absorb less pollen, giving you an easy time dealing with your allergies.
If you are prone to allergy symptoms and need to go outside in the morning or do yard work, wear a high-quality N95 mask. This will help to filter out pollen and leave your sinuses open.
Reduce the pollen getting in the house.
Avoid bringing pollen inside after you’ve been outside. When you go home, take off your shoes and change your clothes. Shower before bed to eliminate pollen from your skin. Also, avoid sleeping with your dogs.
Even if you’re not allergic to pets, there is pollen on their coats, which might worsen the situation.
To improve your sleep, try wrapping your mattress and pillows in hypoallergenic encasements. You also should consider washing bedding in hot, soapy water at least once a week and using a dryer instead of a clothesline.
It’s also wise to clean and replace your air conditioner filter with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of 11 or greater.
These filters capture small pollen particles. If you have severe allergies, consider investing in a professional-style HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter for your bedroom.
HEPA filters have a MERV value of 17 or above and can remove 99 percent of pollen, animal dander, dust, and other particles.
Consider getting allergy immunotherapy.
If allergies are interfering with your daily life, you should discuss immunotherapy with your allergy doctor to find long-term relief.
After determining which pollen types you are allergic to by undertaking a skin prick exam or blood test, your doctor may offer subcutaneous allergy immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots.
This entails a series of injections administered once a week or once a month. The dose is progressively increased, which allows your immune system to grow less sensitive to the allergen over time.
Over the last decade, the Food and Drug Administration has begun to authorize another type of immunotherapy called sublingual immunotherapy.
Tiny amounts of pollen are presented in tablet form, which are placed under the tongue for one to two minutes before being eaten as they disintegrate.
Both methods of immunotherapy require patience, as it could take six months or a year to observe a reduction in symptoms. While this is the case, you may need to continue the treatment for three to five years before your body can consistently ignore your triggers.
When it succeeds, immunotherapy can be a great solution. People who used to suffer from seasonal stuffy noses and itchy eyes can now enjoy springtime after successfully treating their symptoms.
If you feel this is the way to end your suffering, talk to your allergy specialist doctor Manassas and they will come up with a plan that will help ease your condition.