Weekly Health Tip by SSM Health
Summer is in the air, and that can mean misery for people with seasonal allergies.
Allergies affect millions in the U.S., and while is there no way to avoid irritants like pollen entirely, there are simple solutions to help lessen allergic reactions. If you want to reduce allergy symptoms, you should pay attention to the pollen index, use vacuums designed to better pick up common irritants, and use antihistamines prior to being outdoors.”
SSM Health suggests the following steps to help lighten the allergy load:
- Check pollen counts daily. When the pollen count is high, consider limiting your time outdoors. Pollen counts tend to be highest midday, so try to schedule outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon.
- If counts are high and you must go outside, use antihistamines two hours prior to going outdoors to reduce your allergy symptoms.
- When the pollen count is high, close your windows and consider turning on the air conditioning.
- Change your home’s air and furnace filters as recommended to reduce allergens and improve air quality. A vacuum with HEPA-filtration technology can help remove pollen and dust from your home.
It also helps to understand your allergy. There are about 30 different types of pollen, and it is possible to be allergic to more than one type. If you regularly suffer from allergies, consider asking your health care professional about an allergy test.
Using saline eye drops and rinsing your nasal passages with a saline solution can reduce irritation, nasal congestion and drainage.
If these steps don’t bring success, there are many other ways to treat your allergies. Treatment options depend on symptoms, age and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.
There are many medicines that work well to treat allergies. Nasal sprays work to decrease nasal congestion, stuffiness and post nasal drip. Antihistamines are helpful for itchiness and hives. Decongestants can be used to treat stuffiness in the nose and other symptoms linked to colds and allergies, but overuse of decongestants can be linked to rebound congestion or high blood pressure. Using medicines for asthma or allergy symptoms is tailored for each person based on the severity of the symptoms.
Allergy shots (immunotherapy) can also be an effective way to treat allergies.
Allergy shots treat people who have hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or conjunctivitis and can improve asthma symptoms. A mixture of the allergens to which an individual is allergic is made. It is injected into their arm on a weekly basis until a maximum dose is reached. Then the number of injections is decreased over time.
Most people get better with allergy shots, and it often takes about 12 to 18 months before one notices a clear reduction in symptoms. Some people see improvement in six to eight months.
Allergy shots are only part of the treatment plan for people with allergies. It takes time for allergy shots to become effective. So, individuals need to stay on the allergy medicines as prescribed by their health care provider. It is also important to keep allergens (such as dust mites) under control in their surroundings.
Ultimately, your treatment plan will be developed by you and your SSM Health allergy and immunology specialist. When you are left feeling sick due to allergies, or you need a comprenhesive plan to treat chronic allergies, schedule an appointment today and start working towards relief.
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