There is nothing more aggravating than having a runny nose or similar indications of a cold or allergies. Any time people get outside in the great outdoors, there is the chance of encountering allergens like dust, pollen, even air pollution. Symptoms of allergies are typical and include sneezing, watery, burning, or itchy eyes, blocked ears, congestion, and runny nose.
But not all allergy sufferers experience all of these symptoms. Some only sneeze, or just get the stuffed-up head. Some get a runny nose and itchy eyes and none of the other symptoms. It's hard to tell the difference between an allergic reaction, possible symptoms of asthma, or the onset of something else like a cold.
Allergies Need to be Identified
The amount of pollen in the air, especially in the spring, can reach very high levels. Allergies affect about 10 to 30 percent of adults and up to 40 percent of all children. Folks that are especially sensitive to particular types of pollen and molds that are present in the air during specific times may suffer from what is referred to as hay fever.
It may be best to consult with a doctor or medical professional who is familiar with a particular locale, maybe a pharmacist who has lived in the area for a number of years. These folks will have the best information on what local allergens are present, and what medicines, drugs, or remedies will work the best for a particular situation. The main thing is to identify the allergen and take appropriate measures to deal with that specific allergy.
Amount of Allergens in the Air
Try and change the environment before moving on to medication. Watch the local weather reports and determine the total amount of pollen and what types are in the air at that time. Plan to limit outdoor activities to when pollen counts are lowest. Some areas of the country will have more pollen in the air than others. In warmer climates, the pollinating season lasts longer.
Most allergic reactions are going to be associated with some sort of pollen and are usually only going to be a problem for short periods of time of the year. During the spring, most all trees are loading the air with pollen and it's going to be tough to avoid exposure to allergens. Plan to be inside for most of the day and if outdoor trips are necessary, take a mask, especially if doing yard work.
Eliminate the Obvious Sources of Allergens
Since the allergens are airborne, one of the first lines of defense is to treat or filter the air. During times or seasons of heavy pollen, keep all the windows shut, no matter how cool that breeze feels outside. Use the air conditioner to filter the air on a continual basis throughout the living spaces. Don't run the attic fan during heavy pollen seasons because it pulls in the outside air which is loaded with pollen.
Another obvious source of airborne allergens is household pets coming and going from the outdoors to the indoors, bringing pollen, dust, and countless other allergens into the living space. It's time to bring the pets in and keep them in, or send them out and keep them out. Using an over-the-counter salt water rinse to clean out the nose and nasal passages may also be a big help.
Allergies are never any fun, especially when they keep folks from doing the things they would normally do during the course of life. It's best to try and treat the environment, the source of allergies, or administer medication. Whatever the challenge with allergies, they are almost always treatable.
This article is for informational purposes only. The information provided herein is of a general nature and should not be substituted as advice from a qualified medical professional.
Sources:
WebMD.com; Soothe Your Spring Allergies (accessed April 12, 2010) http://www.webmd.com/
MayoClinic.com; Allergy Symptoms (accessed April 12, 2010) http://www.mayoclinic.com/
Friday, April 16, 2010
Treatment for Allergy Symptoms
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment