Surviving Summer Allergies
Summer brings warmth and seasonal allergies, which can make your life horrible if not treated quickly. You get allergies when your immune system negatively reacts to a substance known as an allergen. Seasonal allergies occur in summer because of allergens, such as trees, grasses, weeds, dust mites, and mold spores. Some of the most common symptoms of summer allergies are sneezing, coughing, runny nose, itchy eyes, hives, rashes, wheezing, and asthma. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s more than likely that you have summer allergies.
While you might find it difficult to manage, you can survive the allergies if you take specific steps. Want to know how to control the allergy symptoms? Follow the steps below:
1. Take Your Allergy Medicines Regularly
Antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays can help control allergy symptoms. Get into a routine of taking these medicines so you don’t forget. Often, they can help control the reactions to the allergens you inhale. Antihistamines can help with allergy symptoms such as itching and coughing. Nasal steroid sprays block inflammation in the nasal passages and control nasal congestion.
Remember that all medications can cause side effects, so it’s best to consult a healthcare professional about what medicines would work for you.
2. Limit Your Exposure to Allergens
We all know avoiding all allergens is impossible, but the wind carries pollen across the air. Consider staying inside when the pollen counts are high, and don’t forget to wash bed coverings regularly.
3. Keep Windows Closed and Use the Air Conditioner
If you are susceptible to inhalant allergies, consider keeping the windows in your home closed to avoid the pollen-filled breeze. Use an AC unit to circulate air across your home. Change your air filters as well, as those are built to help trap allergens and can also help you control your symptoms.
4. Monitor Pollen Count
The weather forecast reports the pollen count and the amount of pollen in the air daily. If the pollen count is high, you should stay indoors more often. Wearing a mask when going outside can also help keep the allergens out.
5. Have a Quick Rinse Upon Entering Your Home
After you’ve been outside, such as cutting the grass or working in your garden, you should try to remove all allergens from your clothes, hair, and skin. Change your outfit and take a shower, including washing and brushing your hair, to help reduce allergic reactions.
Wash your clothes immediately if possible, and leave your shoes by the door to prevent the spread of allergens throughout your home.
Do you want to better control your summer allergies? Kentuckiana ENT, a Division of ENT Care Centers, can help those in Louisville, KY, and Jeffersonville, IN. These compassionate ENT doctors have decades of experience with runny and stuffy noses. Book an appointment or call us at 502.894.8441 now!
