Seasonal Allergy Treatment

Many people associate spring with blooming trees and flowers. But, the season of spring also brings about seasonal allergies such as hay fever and allergic rhinitis. The former derives its name from the hay-cutting season, which traditionally occurred in summers. It becomes an affliction that necessitates seasonal allergy treatment when your immune system overreacts to an outdoor allergen like pollen.

What Causes Seasonal Allergies?

When your immune system considers a harmless substance as dangerous, it leads to various seasonal allergies. On encountering pollen and other allergens, the immune system releases histamines and other chemicals into the bloodstream. These chemicals are what’s responsible of producing the symptoms of seasonal allergies.

Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Depending on your allergic reaction, the symptoms of seasonal allergies can vary from mild to severe. Some of the most common symptoms include:

– Watery and itchy eyes

– Persistent sneezing

– A runny or stuffy nose

– Congested ears

– An itchy sinus, throat, or ear canal

– Postnasal drainage

Some people could also experience symptoms such as:

– Shortness of breath

– Wheezing

– Coughing

– Headaches

You will require seasonal allergy treatment if you exhibit these symptoms.

Seasonal Allergy Treatment

How to Treat Seasonal Allergies by Avoidance

Prevention can often be a much better solution to a seasonal allergy than a cure. So, if you can avoid the allergens that trigger your seasonal allergies, you could avoid the need to take medications.

Some ways by which you could avoid contracting seasonal allergies include:

– Checking the local weather network for pollen forecasts

– Staying indoors or limiting your time outdoors when pollen counts become high outside

– Using air conditioners fitted with HEPA filters to keep your home interiors cool during summers

– Keeping your doors and windows shut when pollen counts become high outside

– Wearing dust masks when you head outdoors

How to Treat Seasonal Allergies via Medication

In case you cannot avoid exposure to the allergens outdoors, you might need to take medication for treating these allergies. Some of the most common medicines prescribed for treating seasonal allergies include:

– Over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines like cetirizine

– Combination medications containing phenylephrine, diphenhydramine, acetaminophen etc.

– Various prescription medicines, such as steroid nasal sprays

– Allergy shots for desensitizing the immune system to allergens (usually prescribed in severe cases)

Some seasonal allergy treatment medications might have unwanted side effects including dizziness, drowsiness etc.

Alternative Seasonal Allergy Treatment

Not much information exists about the use of alternative treatment methods for hay fever and other seasonal allergies. However, some people have obtained relief by using alternative treatments comprising:

– Spirulina, a bluish-green algae

– Lactobacillus acidophilus, bacteria commonly found in yogurt

– Quercetin, a flavonoid that gives color to fruits and vegetables

– Vitamin C, as it features some antihistamine properties

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