Hay fever alergy symptoms can brought on by pollen, indoor allergies, dust, or mold and can make you uncomfortable all year long. Especially later on in life, because your intolerance of pollen and grass increases with age. Symptoms may include an itchy throat, constant sneezing, a runny nose, watery eyes, and sinus headaches, all of which can seriously limit your ability to get through a day smoothly.
Treatment Options to Consider
The three most common types of allergy treatment plans include: immunotherapy, antihistamines, and avoidance of the triggers. These can be used in combination or individually. There are also many over-the-counter medications and herbal remedies are available without a prescription. However, a quick trip to your primary care doctor, or the allergist, can help determine what to avoid. A series of tests can determine which pollen sources spur your allergies and can aid in determining if an allergy shots or a prescription medication are the best fit for your treatment plan. Although an allergy treatment will not cure your allergies, it can help reduce your symptoms.
Allergy Control Tips
The best way to fight allergies besides treatment is learning how to control them, such as checking the pollen forecasts and current pollen levels on your local weather station and using the air conditioner in your car and house. Here are a few other practical tips to help get you started on the path to breathing easier:
- Pest control. Cockroaches and other rodents are a common cause of asthma and indoor allergy symptoms, particularly in children. Remove excess food and water sources that may attract pests and rodents. If there is a significant infestation, you may want to consider hiring professional exterminators.
- Close your windows. Invest in an air filter for your home. Fresh air is ideal, but when it comes to keeping the air clean and the room from being stagnant, many people notice a decrease in allergy symptoms immediately with filtered air.
- Clean indoor trouble spots. Indoor allergy culprits include blinds, curtains, and windows. They are also prominent in poorly ventilated basements and laundry rooms as well as in old books and refrigerator drain pans. Consider wiping down kitchens and bathrooms with diluted bleach, and vacuum your floors regularly. Indoor houseplants are also common sources of irritants.
Seasonal changes don’t have to disrupt your life. Paying attention to your allergy triggers can help you reduce your reactions. Get ahead of the symptoms by managing your allergies before they kick in with the above allergy control tips.
Alternative Treatment Methods
In addition to the practical approaches for treating allergy sympton, there are numerous other treatments available for relief. For instance, some people prefer the use of alternative or natural treatments, such as acupuncture. There is evidence that it works for many people without any harmful side effects. However, before trying any alternative allergy treatment, make sure to discuss all of your options with your doctor.
Childhood Allergies
There is a big concern in regards to children's allergies. It is important to make sure that you monitor your child's allergies and more importantly, to educate your children about any allergies they do have. It is also important to remember that children can outgrow allergies, so it is important to have your children tested yearly, and monitor their reactions to any allergy medication you may give them. As always, consult with your physician before using any unfamiliar medicines.