If you’re among the 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies, the spring season may leave you feeling sick.
At Florida Ear Nose Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center, with locations in Orlando and Kissimmee, Florida, Dr. Wade Han and his team, are here to help put the bounce back in your step this spring with our top five tips for keeping spring allergies at bay.
As part of your body’s natural immune system, histamines are in place to help protect you from outside invaders. When you experience what we commonly call allergies, it’s your immune system’s hypersensitive reaction that triggers the symptoms.
Allergies can be seasonal or happen all year. They occur in response to allergens, substances that cause an allergic reaction. Some common allergens include mold, dust, pet dander, fragrances, and ragweed.
Because the spring brings with it many known allergens, like pollen and spores, spring is known as allergy season. If you’re sensitive to an allergen, however, you can have a reaction whenever you’re exposed to the problematic substance, regardless of the time of year.
Seasonal allergies typically cause symptoms similar to the common cold, such as a runny nose, sinus congestion, wheezing, and red, itchy, or watery eyes. Since allergies can cause swelling in your nasal passages, people with seasonal allergies are also at risk for developing sinus infections.
If you suffer from spring allergies, it may seem impossible to avoid the allergens that trigger your reaction. But there are things you can do to keep spring allergies at bay!
Here are our top five tips to help you avoid the sniffles and red eyes this spring:
The best way to keep spring allergies at bay is by taking over-the-counter allergy medication before the season and your symptoms get into full swing. Keep allergies away by taking your medicine regularly throughout the spring season.
Because flowering plants react to sunlight, pollen counts are typically the highest in the morning. By avoiding outside activity in the morning, you can reduce your exposure to allergy-triggering pollen.
When the warmer weather hits, it’s tempting to open your windows and let in the fresh spring air. But before you throw up the sash, be sure to keep an eye on pollen counts. If pollen counts are high, keep your windows and doors closed.
If you spend time walking to the subway or to work or simply enjoying time outside, be sure to remove and wash any clothes exposed to pollen as soon as possible. You’ll also want to shower once you come indoors to wash away any pesky allergens.
If you’ve tried over-the-counter medicine and other strategies but still suffer each year from spring allergies, it may be time for a professional allergy test. These tests can pinpoint the allergens most troublesome to you, enabling better treatment.
If you’re ready for more help with bothersome spring allergies, the team at Florida Ear Nose Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center is here to help. Contact the office to schedule an appointment.
