Over 50 million Americans live with allergies, according to the American College of Asthma, Allergies, and Immunology. There are many types of allergies including food allergies, medication allergies, and seasonal allergies. What you might call seasonal allergies goes by another name: allergic rhinitis. If you have allergic rhinitis — whether it occurs in the spring or year-round — you might experience itchy, watery eyes, a runny nose, and frequent sneezing.
These symptoms can be a nuisance, but the providers at Advance Medical Group, located in Hackensack, Paramus, and Haledon, New Jersey, can help you get the relief you need. We also offer allergy testing to help you pinpoint your specific triggers so you can learn to avoid them.
Before you arrive for your appointment, here are a few tips to cope with springtime allergies.
If you start sneezing, you might wonder if you’ve caught a cold or if your seasonal allergies are starting to flare up. Springtime allergies and seasonal colds share many of the same symptoms, including sneezing, congestion, runny noses, and stuffy noses.
A key difference, though, is that seasonal colds don’t typically cause itchy or watery eyes, fevers, or other flu-like symptoms.
Ready to nip your allergies in the bud? Try these tricks.
This is easier said than done, but if you can pinpoint what your specific allergies are, it may be easier to avoid them. For example, if you find that you’re allergic to grass, you might consider switching chores to avoid mowing the lawn.
Don’t wait to take your allergy medicine until you’re in the middle of a sneezing bout. Take your medication as directed, and if you’re feeling good, don’t be tempted to skip a day or two.
To keep the air in your house as clean as possible, use a vacuum with a high-quality filter, and run an air purifier in your home. Don’t forget to vacuum window screens, as pollen and other allergens can accumulate in the screens.
In addition to using air purifiers and high-quality filters, remove your shoes when you enter your home. Your shoes might inadvertently track allergens and dust inside. If you have a dog, wipe down its paws every time you come back home for this same reason.
If possible, limit your exposure to pollen by staying inside during high-pollen-count days. Most weather apps include the air quality ratings for the day. If pollen counts are high, keep your windows closed and the pollen out.
Smoking cigarettes can exacerbate the symptoms of allergies. If you currently smoke, consider quitting.
If your current routine isn’t easing your allergy symptoms, give us a call. We offer allergy testing and treatment and can help you find the relief you need.
To schedule an appointment at any of our three clinics, give us a call or request your appointment via our website.
