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Wrangling Spring Allergies

Spring can be a cure for the winter blues, but with it can come a lot of coughing, sneezing, and sniffling. Over 30 million people in the United States suffer from spring allergies each year.1 Tree and grass pollen, while harmless, can cause the body’s immune system to overreact and produce antibodies to fight the allergen, leading to red, watery, or puffy eyes; a runny or stuffy nose; sneezing; itching on the eyes, ears, mouth, or nose; coughing or wheezing; hives; and post-nasal drip.2

None of these are very fun, and as spring comes around every year, it’s a good idea to have a plan in place if you suffer from spring allergies. Tips from the Mayo Clinic and WebMD include:

  1. Check the Pollen Forecast
    Keep track of pollen forecasts and current pollen levels so you can take allergy medications before your symptoms start. If it is anticipated to be a high pollen day, avoid outdoor activity in the early morning when pollen counts are at their highest.
  2. Reduce Exposure to Allergens
    If the pollen count is high for the day, stay inside and keep your windows and doors closed. Keep indoor air dry with a dehumidifier. When you do have to go outside, take a shower when you return. No really—you bring in tiny particles from the outdoors every time you come back inside, so take a shower and change clothes to remove allergens. If you have to spend a significant amount of time outdoors during a high pollen count day, mask up! Masks can protect you from allergens as well as COVID-19.
  3. Use Over-the-Counter or Home Remedies
    Oral antihistamines, decongestants, nasal spray, eye drops, and combination medications can provide relief to oncoming symptoms. You can also rinse your sinuses with saline solution to relieve congestion.
  4. Eat Well
    A healthy diet of fresh vegetables, fruits, and nuts—including fruits such as grapes, apples, oranges, and tomatoes—has been shown to result in fewer allergy symptoms.3

If you continue to have severe allergies, consult your primary care physician.

Red, Itchy Eyes?

Allergic conjunctivitis, also called eye allergies, occurs when allergens irritate the eyes causing certain cells in the eyes to release histamine, as well as other substances. This reaction causes the blood vessels in the eyes to swell, producing red, watery, itchy eyes. Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by allergens such as grass, trees, pollen, pet dander, and dust mites.
Click here to learn more about eye allergies on the NVA Blog.

Is it Allergies or is it COVID?

Allergies differ from COVID-19 in a few significant ways:

COMMON COVID-19 SYMPTOMS

  • Fever
  • Dry cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Intense fatigue
  • Body aches
  • Loss of smell

COMMON ALLERGY SYMPTOMS

  • Sneezing
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Itchy or watery eyes
  • Itchy nose or ears
  • Post-nasal drip
  • Mild fatigue

If you have a fever and your symptoms do not respond to allergy medications, it is unlikely you have spring allergies. Consult your primary care physician.

Sources:
1 http://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/allergy/most-common-spring-allergies/ | 2 http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/spring-allergies#summary
3 http://www.webmd.com/allergies/ss/slideshow-natural-relief | 4 http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/in-depth/seasonal-allergies/art-20048343
5 http://www.emersonhospital.org/articles/allergies-or-covid-19