Tips to Help You Breathe Easier
If it feels like your eyes start itching the moment spring arrives, it’s not just your imagination. Seasonal allergies affect millions of Americans each year, bringing sneezing, congestion and sinus pressure along with warmer weather.
Luckily, with the right strategies, you can manage allergy symptoms and get back to enjoying the outdoors. Here’s how to survive allergy season and enjoy spring.
Why Do Seasonal Allergies Happen?
Seasonal allergies are also called hay fever or allergic rhinitis. They occur when your immune system overreacts to substances like pollen, mold or dust.
When these allergens enter your body, your immune system releases a chemical called a histamine. This often causes a reaction, including:
- Postnasal drip
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Sinus pressure and headaches
- Watery, itchy eyes
Tree pollen tends to peak in the spring, grasses are worst in late spring and summer, and ragweed numbers soar in the fall. That means allergy symptoms often last months if you have more than one trigger.
Watch the Pollen Count
One of the easiest ways to stay ahead of allergy symptoms is to monitor pollen levels in your area. Pollen counts measure the amount of pollen in the air and help predict when symptoms may worsen.
If the pollen count is high:
- Limit your outdoor activities, and avoid going outside in the morning when pollen levels peak
- Close the windows in your home and car
- Shower and change clothes after you spend time outdoors
“Watching pollen counts can help you anticipate when symptoms might flare,” explains allergy specialist Paul Warrick, M.D. “When counts are high, that’s when preventive treatments like nasal steroid sprays or antihistamines can make a big difference.”
Use Medications Strategically
Many people find relief with over-the-counter allergy medications, especially when started before symptoms get severe.
Antihistamines
These medications block histamine, the chemical responsible for many allergy symptoms.
Nasal steroid sprays
These sprays reduce inflammation in the nasal passages. They are often considered one of the most effective treatments for seasonal allergies.
Decongestants
These can relieve nasal congestion temporarily but should be used carefully and only for short periods. If over-the-counter treatments aren’t enough, you may need prescription medications or allergy testing to identify specific triggers.
“When basic medications aren’t controlling symptoms, we often consider allergy immunotherapy. That treatment helps your immune system become less sensitive to the allergens causing the problem,” says Dr. Warrick.
Reduce Allergens Inside Your Home
Even when pollen levels outside are high, your home should be a place where symptoms improve, not get worse. According to Dr. Warrick, a few simple changes can significantly reduce indoor allergens.
Control pet dander
If you have pets, their dander can accumulate on floors and furniture.
"Most people aren't going to give up their pets, so the next best step is reducing allergen buildup," says Dr. Warrick. "Regular vacuuming and cleaning the areas where dander collects can really help."
Protect against dust mites
Dust mites are another common indoor allergen.
To minimize their impact, Dr. Warrick recommends you:
- Consider removing carpeting from bedrooms
- Use hypoallergenic mattress and pillow covers
- Vacuum carpets regularly
- Wash bedding weekly in hot water
Improve air filtration
A high-quality air filter can also help reduce airborne allergens.
“For patients with indoor allergies, a HEPA filter in the bedroom can make a noticeable difference,” says Dr. Warrick.
When to See a Doctor About Allergies
For many people, seasonal allergies are manageable with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications. But sometimes symptoms persist despite your best efforts.
You may benefit from seeing an allergy specialist if you:
- Don’t get relief from over-the-counter medications
- Experience symptoms for several months each year
- You have frequent sinus infections
Specialists can offer allergy testing, personalized treatment plans and immunotherapy options that address the root cause of symptoms rather than just treating them.
Breathe Easier This Allergy Season
Allergy season doesn’t have to mean months of misery. By tracking pollen levels, using medications early and making a few simple adjustments at home, many people can dramatically reduce symptoms. If allergies are still interfering with your daily life, expert care is available. The team at the Witham Allergy and Sinus Center can help identify your triggers and develop a treatment plan that helps you breathe easier all year long.
Additional Resources
Visit our Health Library to learn more about:
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Library of Medicine
American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology