Spring brings warm days, blooming flowers, and a lengthening day to many. But for many others, it marks the season of return of allergies. If you’re one of the unfortunate ones to suffer from spring allergy symptoms, you probably know the aggravation of sneezing, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion. If you know what triggers your seasonal allergies and how to manage them, it can bring a great amount of relief, so you can actually relish the spring in all its charm.
We will take you through common causes of triggers for seasonal allergies, the most effective treatment measures to combat them, and practical methods you can adapt to lessen allergens in your dwelling.
Spring Allergy Symptoms in Brief
Upon arrival of spring, the levels of allergen material, including pollen, mold, dust, etc., in the air take a hike and various allergic reactions come into play. Spring allergy symptoms most consistently would include:
- Sneezing
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Coughing or wheezing
- Sinus pressure or headaches
- Fatigue until the poor sleeping hours caused by congestion
These symptoms may range from mild enough not to interfere with daily activities to severe enough to warrant hospital care, depending on an individual’s sensitivity and exposure to allergens. It is always important to find out what is causing your allergies so that it can be efficiently managed.
Common Triggers of Spring Allergies
Airborne allergens that cause spring allergies are becoming increasingly important this time of year. Airborne pollens and spores from trees, grasses, and molds are three major enemies of human well being.
Tree Pollen Allergies:Tree pollen is one of the first allergy triggers in spring. Trees like oak, maple, birch, and cedar bombard our environment with countless tiny pollen grains whose large doses can trigger severe allergic responses in sensitive people.
Grass Pollen Allergies: As spring matures and progresses, grass pollen emerges from some of its most potent triggers. Bermuda, Kentucky bluegrass, and ryegrass are grasses that cause allergy complaints.
Molds
Mold spores flourish in damp and warm conditions, consequently during spring; they thrive. Mold releases may occur inside, such as in damp basements or bathrooms, or outside, such as on mulch piles or decaying leaves.
If you are uncertain what causes your specific allergies, an allergy test in the Chicago area can provide clarity.
Ways to Ease Your Spring Allergies
Spring allergies involve the integration of a few lifestyle changes, medications, and natural remediations. There are practical ways of getting some spring allergy relief:
- Over the counter Allergy Medications: The majority of people get relief with some of the over the counter antihistamines, nasal sprays, and decongestants. These drugs help to relieve symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and congestion. The selection of the type of drug that is appropriate for your symptoms is the most important thing.
- Natural Allergy Medications: A natural method of relieving allergy symptoms includes herbal teas with anti inflammatory effects, saline nasal irrigation, consuming local honey, and vitamin C and quercetin supplements to boost immune function.
Allergy Proofing Your Home in Spring
The simplest of steps to avoid spring allergy problems is to allergy proof your home. Outdoor pollens and molds can simply find their way into an indoors environment, illustrating the crucial role that precautionary measures have to play in limiting exposure.
- Allergen Friendly Air Purifiers: Buying air purifiers for allergies may be the best way to minimize airborne allergens at home. HEPA filters capture those airborne pollen, dust, and pet dander that make our indoor air unsafe for allergy patients.
- Allergy Friendly Plants: Having allergy friendly plants nearby is another way to clean air without triggering symptoms. Great options are peace lilies, snake plants, and bamboo palms which remove toxins without producing large quantities of pollen.
When Should You Go to the Urgent Care for Allergies?
While most spring allergies can be managed at home, there are always times when outside professional help is critical. You will want to head to urgent care for allergies if you ever see severe symptoms onset or an allergic reaction.
- Signs When Urgent Care for Allergic Reaction is Needed
- Severe swelling of the face, lips, or throat
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Persistent wheezing or chest tightness
- Symptoms that do not improve with medications
At Novamed, the best center of urgent care for allergic reactions, experts will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your symptoms and provide active relief through prescription medications or allergy shots where necessary.
Get Recommended Allergy Testing in Chicago
If your allergy symptoms are interfering with your life no matter what treatments you are using, then get professional allergy testing in Chicago to determine concrete causes for your complaints. Testing methods include:
- Skin prick tests: Small amounts of allergens are applied to the skin to observe reactions.
- Blood tests: Measures immune system response to specific allergens.
- Patch tests: Identifies delayed allergic reactions to substances like mold or dust.
When you identify what causes your allergies, your specialist will start developing an individualized treatment plan that may include immunotherapy or long term medication management.
How to Manage Allergies in Chicago: Tips for Outdoor Pursuits
People living where pollen counts tend to be elevated find it all the more difficult to manage their allergies while having fun outdoors in Chicago. The following tips will help lower your exposure:
- Look at the daily pollen forecast before going outdoors.
- Sunglasses will protect your eyes from pollen.
- Take a shower and change clothes after being outside.
- Avoid outdoor activities in late morning and late afternoon when pollen counts are highest.
With these methods for allergy in Chicago, you can enjoy spring while keeping your annoying allergy symptoms under control.
Take Charge of Your Spring Allergies
Spring allergy symptom aggravations are real drag outs, but with a little care, you can minimize their effects. Whether you resort to the use of over the counter allergy treatments, natural allergy treatments, or professional allergy testing in Chicago, one way or another, allergy management can be made possible.
Should things worsen, with more symptoms or an allergic reaction, visit Novamed without hesitation for expert urgent allergy care. With immediate relief, they personalize treatment plans along with advanced testing to provide the best help to breathe freely throughout the springtime.
So make the right move today and enjoy the season without hindrances from allergies. Head to Novamed for professional consultation and spring allergy symptom relief!
