Seasonal Allergies
It’s that time of year again – allergy season!
It’s that time of year again and all of you allergy sufferers know it well:
- Sneezing
- Itching
- Runny nose
- Congestion
- A cough that persists and persists
For some, spring and summer mean gardening, barbecues, and pool time. But, if you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from allergies, these months can make you miserable.
So what are seasonal allergies?
Essentially, it’s your body mistaking pollen, ragweed, mold, or other substances as harmful and overreacting to them. They release chemicals called “histamines” into your bloodstream. These histamines lead to bothersome symptoms in you.
Although allergies can rarely be cured, there are a whole host of things you can do to feel better.
Try to avoid high pollen areas, if at all possible. Keep your windows closed, and try not to go out on high pollen days.
There are also many over-the-counter remedies. Including:
- Antihistamines – these are medications that literally counteract the histamines. including Zyrtec, Claritin, Allegra, and the like.
- Salt Water Nasal Flushes keep your airways clean
- and Inhalers, specifically intranasal steroids.
If none of these over the counter strategies work, then you need to set up an appointment with an allergist. Sometimes allergy tests and allergy shots can make a world of difference.
These days, the most common question I get about seasonal allergies is “How do I know it’s not COVID?”
In short, it’s not always obvious. But the biggest difference is that with seasonal allergies there is no fever. With COVID , there might be. In addition, allergy sufferers tend to have the same symptoms year after year.
If you truly feel that your symptoms are the same as they have always been, chances are these are your allergies and not COVID. If you don’t know, get tested.
Live better, live longer
This is Dr. Molly for Mollys minute.