Seasonal Allergies

Along with nicer temperatures and some gorgeous blooming flowers and trees, some of us will begin to suffer from seasonal allergies. For some people, when an offending substance is inhaled, the immune system overreacts. This can cause characteristic symptoms such as stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, red or itchy eyes, sore or itchy throat, itchy ears, or cough. For those prone to asthma, seasonal allergies can also cause asthma to be less well controlled. There are multiple options to control or prevent allergy symptoms. The first step is to avoid known allergens whenever possible. For instance, some people will limit their time outside when a particular type of pollen is predominant. This is not always realistic, so let’s discuss possible treatments. Neti pot or nasal rinse products can help to physically wash away irritants. These products can take some getting used to, but are a very natural and minimalist way to control allergies. The idea is that, after unavoidable exposure to offending irritants, you rinse out the nasal cavity and sinuses. This decreases the amount of time that your immune system can respond to the allergens, thus lessening the immune response. If you are going to use these treatments, they are best used daily during your allergy season, and should be used as soon as possible after exposure. You also need to be sure to use the right type of rinsing liquid, as tap water is very irritating to the sensitive tissues of the nasal and sinus cavities. There are also over the counter medications to consider. Nasal steroid sprays such as Flonase (fluticasone) work to dull the immune response to allergens. These must be used diligently for several days before you could expect relief, so it is common to start using them in anticipation of your allergy season. Oral medications called antihistamines can be helpful. They block the receptors for histamines, which are a part of the allergic response. Some antihistamines can cause drowsiness, so you should read the packaging if that is a concern. Decongestants can also be helpful in symptom control, but do not prevent allergy symptoms