Is it Time to See an Allergist?
If you sneeze and cough during certain times of the year, you may have seasonal allergies. However, occasional allergies aren’t something you just have to live with.
In many areas of the U.S., spring allergies begin in February and last until the early summer. Tree pollination begins earliest in the year followed by grass pollination later in the spring and summer, and ragweed in the late summer and fall. Mild winter temperatures can cause plants to pollinate early. A rainy spring can also promote rapid plant growth and lead to an increase in mold, causing symptoms to last well into the fall.
So what are the most common plants and trees that trigger allergies?
- Birch
- Elm
- Cedar
- Oak
- Pine
- Walnut
- Ragweed
- Bermuda Grass
- Bluegrass
- Sagebrush
- Tumbleweed
- Lamb's Quarters
- English Plantain
During certain times of the year, if you feel like you’re always getting sick with a cough or head congestion try the following to help prevent allergy symptoms:
- Pepare – tree pollen is high in the spring, grass pollen is high in the summer, and ragweed pollen is high in the fall.
- Reduce Exposure – stay indoors as much as possible during your allergy season and when driving, roll your windows up and set you car's A/C to recirculate the air rather than drawing it in from outside.
- Pre-Treat Symptoms – try over-the-counter nasal sprays in anticipation of your allergy symptoms.
- Take an Antihistamine – try non-drowsy oral antihistamines to target your body's responses like nasal congestion, sneezing, scratchy through and itchy eyes.
- See an Allergist – if all else fails, it's time to see an allergist.
One of the best things you can do is find the root cause of your allergies, so you know how to best treat it. You may think pollen is causing your suffering, but other substances may be involved as well. More than two-thirds of spring allergy sufferers actually have year-round symptoms. Your best resource for finding what’s causing your suffering and stopping it, not just treating the symptoms, is an allergist.