What are seasonal allergies?
On average allergens from pollen of various plants spread around. This pollen then enter the human body through various external sources such as throat, eyes and nose and react with the body system to cause reactions. These allergic reactions cost annually around $1 billion for Americans for their treatment.
Though they are not dangerous to life but can cause uncomfortable feeling and can hamper our day-to- day activities. The visible actions are sneezing, headache, watery eyes, running nose, swollen sinus, and throat rashes. This pollen do not cause much inference to the immune system In any individual but for people with sensitive body these pollens trigger the immune system to protect body. Once the body’s individual recognize the ‘invader’ it causes a defense action and hence causes the body to response against it. This seasonal allergy is most of the times also referred as “Hay Fever”.
How to avoid seasonal allergies at first place?
As it is said that”Precaution is better than cure”, for individual with seasonal allergies it is advisable to try staying indoors as much as possible. For people who cannot stay indoors all time due to any reasons must take medications such as acupunctures, injections or tongue tablets to avoid any further symptoms. One must always close the external sources of air such as windows or doors to avoid the entrance of such pollens inside the house or workplace. Other medications such as Antihistamines such as Allegra and Claritin or the nasal spray must be used as they are easily available without any prescription.
There are various recommendations for seasonal allergies for their symptoms and treatment:
Over-the- counter(OTC) medications:
Antihistamines: Histamine which is an element of body and is responsible for cough, cold, and sneezing. These antihistamines as their name work anti or against the histamines. The traditional medication is recognized with drowsiness from medicine such as Benadryl. But now-a-days various new ones such as the Alavert, Allegra and Claritin; they cause less- drowsiness.
Cromolyn sodium: It is a nasal spray which also works similar to the antihistamines but they do have a less- side effect. They are proven to be much effective to the human body if used before the symptom prevails. Example- Nasal Crome.
Decongestants: They help in shrinking the blood- vessels and create passage for the oxygen. It is advised not to be used by the people with high blood pressure. They must be used only for three- four days of medication. Example of Nasal Decongestants is pseudoephedrine.
Other treatments include, Immunotherapy, Saline nasal spray and irrigation and many more.
One must always consult a specialist Allergy Clinic or take a medicine prescription before using any of above mentioned medications. Saline nasal spray and irrigation.