Strategies for surviving spring and summer allergies

Many people struggle with allergies during the warmer weather months of the year. Symptoms ranging from itchy skin and watery eyes to runny nose and sneezing are common to those with pollen allergy. Read on for strategies to keep symptoms at bay so you can enjoy the sunshine and nature without being miserable.

Pollen allergy is the result of a part of the immune system recognizing specific pollens as “dangerous” or “invaders.” That recognition triggers a myriad of chain reactions which ultimately results in symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, itching, watery eyes, nasal congestion, and rashy skin in some people. People with asthma may have increased symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Many people will notice symptoms after spending time outdoors. After several days of these symptoms, many people start to feel mental fogginess and fatigue as well. So how does one enjoy the season of beach runs, biking, bonfires, and basking in the moonlight?

1. Control your environment. Keep the windows closed in your home and car. Use a HEPA filter in your furnace and change it regularly. Vacuum regularly (at least once/week) to keep pollen out of your home. Shower after doing yard work or spending prolonged periods outdoors to get pollen off your body.
2. Consider wearing a mask. Activities such as mowing the lawn, weed whipping, and raking leaves kick up lots of pollen and often exacerbate symptoms sending even mild allergy sufferers into misery. A mask over the nose and mouth can minimize the amount of pollen you breathe in.
3. Take a long acting antihistamine. Depending on your level of symptoms, a simple once a day loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec), or fexofenadine (Allegra) tablet can keep your symptoms to a minimum when taken before you know you’ll be spending time outdoors. People with daily symptoms during the warm weather months should consider taking one tablet daily throughout the active pollen season.
4. Don’t be afraid to use OTC eye drops and nasal sprays. During the peak of the pollen season, a single tablet of antihistamine sometimes will not cut it. Consider adding a nasal spray such as fluticasone (Flonase/Flonase Sensimist) or triamcinolone (Nasacort) to keep the inflammation in the nasal passages down. Azelastine (Astapro) is an antihistamine nasal spray that works especially well for some and is now over the counter. Just be sure to spray AWAY from the nasal septum to avoid irritation and bloody noses. Likewise, an OTC eye drop such as olopatadine (Patanol) or ketotifen can be beneficial to those with itchy/watery eyes with minimal adverse effects.
5. If all the above still leaves you miserable, seek a good allergy provider. Local allergy providers can perform testing to determine exactly which pollens you’re allergic to and offer a series of allergy shots to desensitize you who suffer despite environment control and medication. You can find an allergy provider near you at https://acaai.org/ or https://allergist.aaaai.org/find/

The warm weather season lasts a short time in the Midwest! With these tips, even those with pollen allergies can enjoy the outdoors!