There’s no better time to see the wildflowers blooming along Arabia Mountain View Trail than springtime, but there’s also no worse time when it comes to your allergy symptoms. While there is no cure for allergies, there are many ways to manage symptoms.
What Causes Springtime Allergies?
Your immune system works to protect your body from diseases, viruses and infections. But for people with allergies, their immune system mistakes harmless substances such as pollen as a dangerous intruder and overreacts.
In order to fight off the intruder, your immune system tells your cells to release histamine. Histamine can increase your mucus production and cause inflammation; this is what causes your allergy symptoms.
Pollen from trees, grasses and weeds is the main contributor to springtime allergy symptoms.
What Are the Symptoms of Allergies?
Symptoms of an allergy attack include:
- Runny or stuffy nose.
- Red, itchy or watery eyes.
- Sneezing.
- Postnasal drip and coughing.
- Rash, hives or itchiness.
How Can Allergies Be Prevented?
The best way to prevent allergies is to avoid allergens. We suggest the following:
- Avoid going outside during days and times when pollen counts are high. Your local forecast can tell you about the pollen concentration in your Georgia neighborhood.
- When you do go outside, take a shower and change clothes as soon as you come back in so you’re not tracking allergens through your home.
- Delegate yardwork and outside chores to people without allergies, or hire a professional.
- Run your air conditioning or use a portable HEPA filter to purify the air in your home.
- Bathe indoor/outdoor pets once a week.
How Are Allergies Treated?
Many people are able to treat their allergy symptoms with over-the-counter medications such as:
- Antihistamines.
- Decongestant nasal sprays.
- Steroid nasal sprays.
- Eye drops.
- Hydrocortisone creams.
If you’re looking for a more long-term solution, talk to your Georgia allergist about immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is a long-term treatment that helps your body develop a tolerance to allergens over a period of three to five years. This form of treatment is available in shot, drop and tablet form.
For more information about managing allergies or to schedule an appointment with an expert allergist, call ENT of Georgia today!
