Tips on Managing Your Spring Allergies

in Tuscaloosa, AL

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Tips on Managing Your Spring Allergies

Spring has sprung! With beautiful sunlight and warmer temperatures, it’s time to enjoy everything nature has to offer. If you experience spring allergies, however, it can be a difficult time of year. Spring allergies are often caused by pollen that is produced by plants and trees. If you breathe this in, it can cause an allergic response like sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. There are a few important ways to manage spring allergies at home, so here are some tips as you get ready for spring.

Spring Allergies

Stock up on antihistamines

When your body is exposed to an allergen, it produces histamine. Histamine is a compound that produces the common responses you experience during an allergic reaction like runny nose, sneezing, and congestion. These responses help get the allergen out of your system, but can be uncomfortable. Antihistamines are over-the-counter medications that you can take to suppress these reactions, letting you go about your daily life. On days where there’s a lot of pollen in the air, it can be miserable to go outside without these medications. For this reason, you should make sure you have plenty on-hand in common areas like your home, car, purse, backpack, and office.

Keep your spaces clean

During the spring, it can be tempting to open the windows and let in fresh air. You’ll likely also spend more time outside. Unfortunately, this can mean you track pollen into your living space, prolonging your reaction to it. It’s important to keep your living space and belongings clean and free of pollen so that you can get some relief at home. For example, you should be sure to wipe down surfaces that collect dust and regularly wash your clothes and linens so that they don’t collect pollen. Keeping yourself clean can be beneficial as well, since your hair and skin can collect pollen.

Check pollen levels

When you have plans for work, school, or errands, it can be helpful to know what to prepare for. Most local news sites and weather apps report pollen counts, so you should check these before you head out. If pollen counts are high, it can mean you might be more prone to a reaction. In this case, you can plan ahead by taking some antihistamines and limiting your time outside. Additionally, you can make sure your living area is climate-controlled and free of pollen for when you come home.

Schedule a Consultation

At Alabama ENT, our allergists can help. If you have a hard time with allergies this season, we can perform an allergy test and help you get treatment with things like medications or allergy shots. At home, you can stock up on antihistamines, check pollen levels before heading outside, and keep your living space clean and climate-controlled. Spring can be a beautiful time of year, but you don’t have to stay inside if you have allergies! Schedule a consultation with our allergists by calling our Tuscaloosa office or filling out our online form.

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