Tips for Controlling Seasonal Allergies

Every year in the United States, nearly 19.2 million women and men are diagnosed with seasonal allergies. Increases of pollen or ragweed in the air set these millions of sufferers into fits of coughing, sneezing, and generally feeling miserable. Sometimes, seasonal allergies even set off asthma attacks.

At Tu Clinica in Arlington, Texas, our expert medical professionals offer allergy testing and treatment, including cutting-edge immunotherapy (aka allergy shots). Our entire team is also fluent in Spanish and English, so your entire family feels comfortable in our care. If you have allergies, we help you strategize ways to avoid triggers.

Why good weather brings you bad times

Substances in your environment trigger your seasonal allergies. While these substances are usually considered benign, your body’s immune system “thinks” differently. For reasons that still aren’t clear, allergy sufferers have overactive immune systems that attack benign substances and cause inflammation.

When you make contact with an allergen, your immune system responds by producing antibodies. The antibodies cause symptoms such as:

• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Throat irritation
• Watery, itchy eyes

Spring allergies can start early in February and persist until early summer. The allergy season occurs when tree pollination begins and ends. Additional allergy symptoms may appear in the late summer and fall, during grass and ragweed pollination seasons.

Depending on the climate where you live or visit, your allergy symptoms may go on longer than that. On windy days, your allergies might be more severe because many allergens whip up into the air, and you inhale them more easily.

While avoiding seasonal allergens is impossible, even if you stay indoors, you can still control your reaction. Better, we can help you do so.

Tips to control your seasonal allergies

Planning ahead helps you brave spring, summer, and fall. Take these steps now so you’ll be ready for pollen season:

Get tested for allergies

Our staff offers on-site allergy tests. We prick your skin with small amounts of common allergens, including mold and pollen, to determine how your body reacts.

When you’re allergic to a substance we’re testing, a small, itchy welt appears on your skin. By understanding what you’re allergic to, you can help avoid those substances. Tests also help our team determine how to treat your allergies using medications or immunotherapy.

Follow the pollen reports

Weather.com and other sites make tracking pollen counts in your area easy. If pollen counts are high, make sure you take your medications before you head outdoors.

Stay inside during the day, if possible

Unfortunately, pollen counts are highest when the sun is highest, too. If you must be outdoors, try to limit your fresh-air time to the early morning and late evening.

The best time to do outdoor chores is after a rainstorm when pollen counts are typically lower. If you hang laundry outside, do so only when pollen counts are low. Shower and wash your clothes after time spent outdoors to reduce your risk for allergy symptoms.

Clean and filter your home

You can’t remove every allergen from your home, but dusting and vacuuming frequently can reduce your exposure to allergens.

Instead of opening your windows on warm days, keep your air conditioner on in your home or vehicle. Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to remove allergens. A dehumidifier may aid in reducing allergy symptoms.

Ask for help

Allergy tests help you identify your triggers and guide our team toward an effective treatment plan. We offer prescription allergy medications and immunotherapy (allergy shots) if over-the-counter medicines no longer effectively control your allergies.

Are you suffering from seasonal allergy symptoms? Contact us today by phone to learn more about options for managing your allergies, or book a consultation online.