How to Defeat Seasonal Allergies
By: Ellie Graham
Millions of people suffer from seasonal allergies and although the symptoms cannot be cured, they definitely can be controlled. When my allergies begin, I am usually miserable and welcome these symptoms by simply taking the first allergy medication I see at my local CVS. I thought there was nothing more to be done and that medication was my only partial solution. However, I have started to follow a few simple tips and tricks that have made my allergies exponentially better and much more manageable.
Medication
Do your research before taking just any allergy medicine! According to Doctor Purvi Parikh, a certified allergy and immunologist, to treat symptoms, over-the-counter antihistamine medications are better than Benadryl and also cause fewer side effects. Although nasal sprays are good to use, nasal corticosteroids like Flonase or Nasacort must be taken consecutively for a week before they start working. Avoid decongestants, (anything with oxymetazoline or pseudoephedrine), such as Afrin, as they are a temporary fix and can actually have a reverse effect if overused (Parikh).
Allergy Triggers
The amount of pollen in the air is reported daily and can be found on the Weather app. When you see that the allergy count is high, begin taking medication before your symptoms begin to worsen. I have found that instead of taking allergy medication in the morning, my symptoms drastically improve by medicating the night before. Allergy symptoms peak in the morning hours, therefore taking “allergy medication at night assures that it will be circulating in your bloodstream when you most need it” which is the next morning (DeNoon).
When you go outside and then return inside, immediately wash your hands and change clothes. The pollen on your body will continue to further worsen your symptoms throughout the day. Also, simply closing your windows will stop pollen from entering and contaminating your home. Another tip is to make sure to wash your produce thoroughly. Pollen can be on your food during the spring season and when ingested, can seriously cause your symptoms to flare up! These allergy triggers are no joke and can severely impact your quality of life during the season.
Wear your mask
Although this might be the last thing you want to hear, masks are normalized, and wearing one outside can drastically reduce allergy symptoms. If your symptoms are severe and the allergy count is especially high but you want to enjoy nature, wear a mask! A mask can filter and block allergen particles from getting in your nose, mouth, and lungs. Similarly, wearing sunglasses can help stop pollen from getting into your eyes and also stop you from itching them, which causes even more irritation.
Invest in an air purifier
During the COVID-19 pandemic, my mom insisted on purchasing a high-quality air purifier for my college apartment. I had never previously seen an air purifier as necessary, however, now, I simply cannot live without one. I immediately feel a difference in the air quality just by walking into my room, which is something I would have never believed if someone told me prior to this discovery. The air purifier I have has a HEPA filter; “HEPA filters remove more than 99.9% of the particles from the air stream that passes through them” (Winix Europe). At the end of the day after being exposed to so many different allergen triggers, it is important to breathe in clean air, especially if you are affected by seasonal allergies.
Reference List:
Daniel More, MD. “A Vitamin D Deficiency Can Make Your Allergies Worse.” Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 29 Aug. 2021, https://www.verywellhealth.com/vitamin-d-deficiency-causes-asthma-and-allergies-83031#:~:text=Allergies%20and%20Vitamin%20D&text=Furthermore%2C%20research%20shows%20that%20vitamin,worsen%20or%20trigger%20allergic%20disease.
DeNoon, Daniel J. “Timing Enhances Allergy, Asthma Drugs.” WebMD, WebMD, 13 Apr. 2007, https://www.webmd.com/allergies/news/20070413/timing-enhances-allergy-asthma-drugs#:~:text=So%20taking%20your%2024%2Dhour,says%20in%20a%20news%20release.
Mayo Clinic Staff. “Seasonal Allergies: Nip Them in the Bud.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 16 Apr. 2020, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/in-depth/seasonal-allergies/art-20048343.
Parikh, Purvi. “How to Treat and Prevent Seasonal Allergy Symptoms | Goop.” Goop Wellness, Goop, 2022, https://goop.com/wellness/health/how-to-treat-prevent-seasonal-allergies/.
Taylor, Kerry. “Do Air Purifiers Help with Allergies?” LiveScience, Future US, Inc., 15 Sept. 2021, https://www.livescience.com/do-air-purifiers-help-with-allergies.
“Vitamin D and Hayfever- What's The Link?” Premium Health Supplements Wholesales in the UK, HTC Health 2020, 1 June 2021, https://www.htc.co.uk/post/vitamin-d-and-hayfever.
“What Is a HEPA Filter and Why Is It Important? WINIX Europe.” Winix, Winix Europe, 19 July 2021, https://winixeurope.eu/what-is-a-hepa-filter-and-why-is-it-important/#:~:text=HEPA%20filters%20remove%20more%20than,who%20suffer%20from%20respiratory%20problems.