For many, spring is a beautiful time with blooming flowers and warmer temperatures. However, for those with allergies, spring is more likely associated with the descension of pollen. Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, affects approximately 20% of the population in the United States. Let’s look at a few ways hay fever may affect you this spring and what you can do to manage it.
Where Will You Feel the Effects of Hay Fever?
While pollen is one of the most common triggers for hay fever, you may also feel its effects when you come into contact with mold spores, pet dander, dust mites or cockroach droppings and saliva. A few places you may feel the symptoms include:
- Eyes. Spring allergies can result in redness, itching and watery discharge from the eyes. Some people may also experience chronic dark circles under the eyes, known as allergic shiners.
- Nose. Inflammation in the sinuses from hay fever can often result in sneezing, frequent nose blowing, congestion and a feeling of mucus dripping from the sinuses into the throat.
- Lungs. When pollen enters your lungs and airways, the same antibody reaction causing allergy symptoms can trigger an asthma attack.
- Head. Pressure in the sinuses from allergy inflammation and congestion can lead to a condition known as sinus headaches, resulting in a throbbing pain in the eyes, cheeks and forehead.
What Can You Do?
You don’t need to let hay fever bog you down this spring. Try a few of the following allergy management tools to help keep your symptoms at bay:
- Allergen avoidance. Allergen avoidance begins with an allergy test. Your allergy specialist will conduct a blood draw or skin scratch test to identify the allergens you’re sensitive to. Once they have identified the allergens, you can put a plan in place to avoid them. For example, if you’re allergic to pollen, avoid Heathwood Park on high-pollen days.
- Medication. Allergy medications work by temporarily relieving symptoms. Medications may include over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants and provider-approved nasal sprays.
- Immunotherapy. Immunotherapy introduces small doses of an allergen to a patient through shots or drops, increasing the dose over time to decrease the reaction.
An allergy specialist can help you identify the right symptom management plan. Contact Palmetto ENT & Allergy today to make an appointment with one of our specialists.