Spring is in the air, and it is a great time to be outside! The weather is not too hot, not too cold, and the sun is shining. For some people, however, spring can also bring terrible allergies which make enjoying outdoor activity difficult. There are some things you can do that can help you cope with your seasonal allergies and even get to spend more time outdoors!
The first thing you should do is to identify what it is you are allergic to. This may be simple to do, for example, if you walk into a home with a cat or dog and you immediately start sneezing, it is a good guess that cat or dog dander is an allergy you have. If you immediately start to have symptoms when you go outside when there is yellow pollen everywhere, then it is a good guess that you are allergic to pollen! In fact, the top 4 environmental allergens are Animal Dander, Pollen, Dust Mites and Mold. If you can’t quite figure out your allergies, then a trip to the Allergist can help you solve that mystery. A simple skin test is used, where the Doctor will put a tiny bit of the suspected allergen under your skin to watch for a reaction.
Once you have identified your allergen, it is easier to figure out a course of action. If your main allergen is Animal Dander and Dust Mites, you will probably want to treat your allergies all year long. You never know when you will come into contact with either of these. For Animal Dander, you can take one of the many over the counter allergy medications that are available, most doctors recommend Zyrtec or Allegra. There are also some prescription medications that are available if these don’t work you for you. Using allergy covers for your bed can also protect you from dust mites.
If your allergies appear more seasonal, then you don’t have to treat year round, but you should start treatment about a month before the allergens pick up in your area. Depending on where you live, pollen season and mold season can start at different times. If you start your treatment a month before the allergies make an appearance you have a better chance of staying ahead of the allergens. Generally over the counter allergy medications such as Zyrtec, Allegra and Flonase can help seasonal allergy symptoms as well. During peak pollen season, it is also recommended that you shower before bed and don’t wear shoes in the house.
It is possible to enjoy the outdoors, even if you have seasonal allergies. With a little planning ahead, you can even manage to get outdoors and enjoy spring!