April showers bring May flowers, they say. However, the blooming flowers bring a host of allergies for people sensitive to pollen, humidity, mold, dry air, pet dander, dust mites, and numerous other elements. When these factors combine with higher spring and summer temperatures, they create a perfect recipe for seasonal allergies. Continue reading to find out seasonal allergy symptoms and how you can deal with them promptly and effectively.

Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies

Depending on the intensity of your allergies and the allergen that triggers the immune system, you may experience different seasonal allergy symptoms. Some typical indicators of seasonal allergies include:

• Runny nose and sneezing, accompanied by watery eyes
• Nasal stiffness and congestion
• Itchy eyes, nose, and throat
• General malaise
• Sore throat
• Mild to moderate fever

Dealing with Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies can be bothersome, particularly when you want to enjoy the warmer breeze and relish the sight of colorful flowers. What matters more is dealing with seasonal allergies timely through medical intervention and remedial measures. The following are different ways of dealing with seasonal allergies:

Medical Management

If you feel sick and your symptoms are not going away, it’s time to see a healthcare provider. Here is how medical management can help relieve symptoms of seasonal allergies:

1. Consulting Nurse Practitioners

Seeking timely consultation from a healthcare professional can prevent allergy symptoms from aggravating. The best way to do that is to head to your nearest healthcare facility or private clinic run by a nurse entrepreneur.

Nurse entrepreneurs have a high level of medical expertise and insight into the business. Choosing to run an independent practice or business presents numerous benefits for nurses seeking to capitalize on their training, expertise, and love of healthcare. Starting small setups like hospice care, private practice clinics, home care agencies, wellness training centers, and health and human services help nurses utilize entrepreneurial instincts and put their professional knowledge into practice. It also helps provide instant medical assistance to local communities.

2. Using Over-the-Counter Medicines

Various over-the-counter non-prescription drugs help ease symptoms. Here are some most commonly used medicines for treating seasonal allergies:

Antihistamines: Antihistamines are drugs that block or lower allergy symptoms by controlling the overproduction of histamines triggered in reaction to an allergen. Cetirizine is a common antihistamine agent to counter flu-like symptoms.

Decongestants: These drugs can temporarily relieve nasal congestion. Decongestants are frequently available in tablets, liquids, or nasal sprays.

Combination drugs: Combination drugs have proven their effectiveness against seasonal allergies. Some allergy drugs combine antihistamines and decongestants to alleviate many symptoms simultaneously. We have already seen the amazing benefits of combination drugs during COVID-19.

Nasal corticosteroids: Nasal corticosteroids are available in the form of sprays. These nasal sprays are effective at easing allergy and inflammatory symptoms.

Immunotherapy: A seasonal allergy shot is administered to build your body’s tolerance or immunity to the allergen. Healthcare providers recommend getting immunotherapy shots a few weeks before spring arrives.

3. Seeking Consultation from Allergy Doctors

If over-the-counter drugs don’t seem to work, there may be an underlying condition associated with the symptoms. An allergy doctor can diagnose the real cause and prescribe medications accordingly.

Managing Allergies without Medications

Unless medical intervention is essential, you can manage mild seasonal allergy symptoms with a few changes in lifestyle and easy home remedies. Here are some ways you can manage your allergies without using medicines:

1.    Consumption of natural and synthetic Vitamin C

Vitamin C has a great potential to strengthen the immune system, reduce histamines, activate a timely response to the allergen, and reduce allergy symptoms. It is why vitamin C is often referred to as a natural antihistamine. Vitamin C is naturally found in citrus fruits and leafy green vegetables abundantly. You can also take vitamin C supplements with a recommended daily dose of 2g.

2.    Nasal and Sinus Rinses

Sinus rinses are an effective home remedy for nasal congestion. They go well with nasal sprays and antihistamines. A nasal rinse helps to remove nasal mucus and can relieve allergy symptoms. Not only does it minimize nasal drip, it also washes out any allergens or microorganisms you may have breathed in.

3.    Inhaling Steam

Inhaling steam once or twice a day proves to be extremely beneficial in relieving allergy symptoms. You experience a dripping nose due to a dried-up nasal passage, and taking steam helps moisten the top layers inside the nose and relieve nasal congestion and runny nose. Steam is also beneficial in reducing headaches, and opening blocked sinuses. Taking deep breaths transports the vapors to the nasal sinuses and melts down mucus plugging it.

4.    Ginger Tea and Home-made Honey-lemon Chewables

Ginger functions as a powerful antiviral, natural antihistamine, and immunological stimulant. To relieve headaches and nasal congestion, try drinking some ginger tea. Breathe in the steam from your tea as you sip the drink. Fresh and dried ginger are both available commercially.

Honey and lemon are a perfect combination to treat mild seasonal allergies. You can easily prepare honey-lemon chewable tablets at home. During the season, take one chewable every day; depending on severity, you can increase consumption to twice daily.

Preventing Seasonal Allergies

Avoiding seasonal allergies altogether is the best defense against them. Here are some simple strategies for preventing seasonal allergies, staying secure, and taking in the springtime splendor of nature:

1.    Monitor Pollen Counts

Take account of the mold and pollen counts. During allergy seasons, this information is frequently included in weather reports over the internet, in newspapers, and on television. Here is a quick guide to the time of the year with most pollen counts:

• Tree pollen – March to mid-May
• Grass pollen –Mid-May to mid-July
• Weed pollen – Mid-August till November

2.    Spring Cleaning

The Winter season, long hours of rain before spring, and some plumbing issues at your home may cause water to seep through the walls. Humidity and warm temperatures inside the house create a perfect environment for mold to grow. Tiny particles of mold stay suspended in the air, and lack of ventilation can increase the chance of developing allergies, respiratory tract infections like allergic rhinitis, and more severe bacterial infections like bronchitis.

Scheduling a thorough spring cleaning can significantly reduce the chance of mold growth and help you find possible leakage issues, which serve as a nursery for mold growth.

3.    Wearing a Mask

We have already witnessed the amazing benefits of using a face mask during the COVID-19 pandemic. Protective face masks act as a shield to prevent allergens from entering your nose and mouth and causing seasonal allergies. Always wear a mask before going out. 

4.    Staying Inside During Breezy Afternoons

Although a face mask is enough to protect you from seasonal allergies, it’s always recommended to avoid going outside when it is dry and breezy. Strong breezes carry more pollen, and staying safe is always better than regretting it later.

5.    Washing Clothes and Taking a Shower After being outside

Pollens are tiny particles that stick easily to any surface. If you are extremely allergic to pollen, make sure to throw your clothes into the wash and take a shower right after spending time outside during days with high pollen counts.

Final Thoughts

Seasonal allergies can be easily prevented, countered, and treated in various ways. However, if you are extremely sensitive to allergens, you will likely catch a seasonal allergy. Timely medical interventions, home remedies, and taking preventive steps to protect yourself from exposure to allergens are the best strategy to cope with allergies every season.