By Miranda Miller
With spring emerging in the Northern Hemisphere, millions around the globe are hit with horrible seasonal allergies from pollen, trees, grass, and flowers. Hay fever affects more than 80 million Americans each year, with common symptoms being a runny nose, sneezing, congestion, and fatigue. These allergies are very disruptive for most, as the irritating symptoms often come in the way of daily life. Therefore, as allergy season sets upon us, it’s important to know some effective treatments that could save you from the annoyance and discomfort of hay fever.
The first, and most effective measure is a preventative one. By reducing the amount you go outside, and minimizing the amount of pollen that comes inside, you ensure that you are getting the least amount of exposure possible. While it’s not realistic to stay inside all of spring, some climates make people more susceptible to allergies, like windy days that spread pollen. You should do your best to avoid frequent exposure on these days, instead opting to go outside on days where pollen is less prevalent, like rainy days that help remove pollen from surfaces. Similarly, maintaining a clean and pollen-free household can help alleviate some symptoms. By frequently vacuuming and installing air filters, pollen is less likely to accumulate inside your home and therefore poses less of a risk as an allergen.
Additionally, over-the-counter medicines like nasal sprays and antihistamines have shown success in decreasing allergy symptoms. Some nasal sprays contain corticosteroids or antihistamines. Antihistamines work by blocking histamine, the chemical that reacts to allergens. Similarly, oral versions of antihistamines like Zyrtec and Allegra are some of the most common solutions to spring allergies. Similar to the nasal sprays, the antihistamine decreases the effect of histamine in the body.
Finally, a treatment that those with serious allergies may consider is allergy shots. With allergy shots, or allergen immunotherapy, tiny amounts of the allergen are injected into the body. This treatment works through a process called desensitization, where the body slowly gets used to the allergen over time. A patient typically receives doses weekly or semiweekly for the first 6 months, and then doses are given every 4-6 weeks. This treatment plan is typically highly effective, and is a worthy option for those who have significant struggles with allergies of any sort.
Spring allergies, and allergies in general, can be dreadful, but there are solutions. In order to ensure that allergy seasons do not impede your quality of life, it is vital to create a treatment plan that aligns best with your lifestyle and severity of allergies.
Sources:
Seasonal Allergies: Nip Them in the Bud-https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/in-depth/seasonal-allergies/art-20048343
Spring means allergy season for 81 million people in the U.S.-https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/03/18/spring-pollen-allergy-sufferers/#:~:text=Here%20comes%20spring%2C%20a%20potentially,and%20Allergy%20Foundation%20of%20America.
Allergy Shots Information- https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/discharge-instructions/allergy-shots#:~:text=Treatment%20with%20allergy%20shots%20is,your%20symptoms%20may%20be%20relieved.
Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board
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