Tired of suffering during allergy season? These tips from an expert may offer relief
Reasons we love spring: warmer weather, more sunshine, longer days, and greenery sprouting all around. Reasons we don't: pollen, hay fever and allergies.
Seasonal allergies are a headache for a significant portion of American adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 31.8% of Americans 18 or older suffer from some sort of allergy. Seasonal allergies account for the largest number of these allergy sufferers at 25.7%.
The primary culprit? Pollen.
Pollen is a common airborne allergen known to cause uncomfortable symptoms in many people, says the CDC. Pollen grains are dispersed by plants, trees, grass and weeds and are generally present in higher concentrations during warmer seasons. The type and amount of pollen in the air is based on plants in the area, location and the environment in which you live.
Common reactions to pollen
The most common pollen reaction is allergic rhinitis, also known as "hay fever." Hay fever occurs when your immune system responds to pollen entering your body, releasing defensive chemicals that cause symptoms like runny nose and stuffiness. You may also experience allergic conjunctivitis, which is the inflammation of the lining of the eyes, causing the rednesses, wateriness and itchiness we associate with allergy season.
People who already suffer from asthma also have an increased risk of symptoms worsening due to pollen exposure, causing asthma attacks in tandem with the other common reactions.
The bad news is we can't really prevent the plants around us from producing pollen or tell our immune systems that exposure to pollen isn't worth reacting to. However, there are things people sensitive to seasonal changes can do to make the upcoming spring and summer less miserable.
Allergy season already: How early spring is bringing more pollen (and sneezing)
Tips for pollen and allergy season
Joy Hsu, Senior Medical Officer of the Asthma and Air Quality Branch at the CDC, spoke with USA TODAY about seasonal allergies and pollen sensitivity.
"If you are allergic to pollen and/or you have asthma, you can take steps to protect yourself," she advised. A few tips allergy sufferers may want to consider:
Check pollen forecasts: Similar to weather forecasts, pollen forecasts are available for review before venturing outside. Checking them can help plan your day in a way that lessens the likelihood of agitating your allergies. "You can check pollen forecasts and plan to spend less time outdoors when pollen levels will be high so you can limit pollen exposure," said Hsu.
Have allergy and asthma medications on hand: There are plenty of allergy medications available over the counter at your local pharmacy to help alleviate symptoms. Hsu advised that allergy or asthma medication should always be taken as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Keep yourself clean: You may pick up pollen particles when you step outside, causing irritation. Hsu said you can limit exposure by avoiding touching your eyes while outside and washing them when you get back indoors. "You can also shower after being outside to remove pollen from your skin and hair and you can change your clothes after being outdoors," she said.
Close your windows: Keeping windows closed during allergy season can also help keep irritants out of your home. Shutting your windows can help prevent pollen from drifting into your home, advised Hsu.
Consider using filters: Keeping the inside of your home comfortable may also be helped by using high-efficiency filters, said Hsu. You can put the filters in your house's ventilation and air conditioning system or HVAC system to help keep pesky particles at bay. However, "be sure to make sure that your HVAC system can use high-efficiency filters that don't violate your system's warranty," she advised.
Allergy treatment myths to watch out for
When people experience pain or discomfort, they naturally want to find a way to remedy it − and fast. At times, this leads to the discovery of some useful techniques but often, it results in trying faulty at-home remedies that don't really work but are spread around as useful tips.
Here are a few common myths and unhelpful allergy "cures" to be aware of.
Eating honey: Honey may help a sore throat, but it won't help cure you of allergies. Some believe that eating local honey regularly will expose you to the remnants of pollen bees collect to make honey, building up your immunity. However, the pollen bees collect isn't generally the same pollen that causes allergies, meaning increased exposure is useless.
Drink apple cider vinegar: With the way apple cider vinegar is touted online, you'd think the stuff was a cure-all for every condition out there. However, there is no scientific evidence that the consumption of vinegar will do anything to improve your symptoms.
Visiting a chiropractor: Chiropractic care is often also touted as the solution to many health ailments, even seasonal allergies. However, there is no scientific evidence supporting the idea that chiropractic care can improve or prevent allergy symptoms.
Only taking over-the-counter medications: While there are quite a few over-the-counter options for allergy symptom relief, there are also prescription options - and the two are not the same. Some people think seasonal allergies aren't "serious" enough to warrant a call to the doctor, but your healthcare provider can prescribe you medications that will be much more effective in treating your allergies with fewer side effects.
Avoiding flowers: Believe it or not, flowers shouldn't be your main concern if you're sensitive to pollen. While many do still produce it, flowers tend to make pollen that sticks to them, attracting pollinating insects. Instead, it's usually the lighter, easier-traveling pollen from grass and trees that cause you grief.
Thinking you're in the clear in adulthood: Many people think allergies − seasonal, pet, food or otherwise − only developed in childhood. However, you can develop a new allergy at really any point in your life, meaning you shouldn't ignore new symptoms simply because exposure to a certain thing hasn't bothered you in the past.
Common symptoms of pollen allergies
Finding yourself uncomfortable after breathing in some fresh air? You may be suffering from seasonal allergies. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, the most common symptoms include:
Runny nose (also known as rhinorrhea)
Stuffy nose
Sneezing
Itchy nose, eyes, ears, and mouth
Red and watery eyes
Swelling around the eyes
If you are already an asthma sufferer, exposure to pollen may make your symptoms worse. This is called allergic asthma and is the most common type. If you find yourself facing additional or worsening asthma symptoms due to environmental exposure, talk to your healthcare provider.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pollen allergy symptoms, relief: Expert gives tips for spring 2024
