Seasonal Allergies

       April showers bring May flowers, which bring itchy eyes and congested sinuses. It is finally spring time and we have had our last snow (hopefully). The sun is coming out and the flowers are blooming, releasing their pollen. Every year with the budding and blooming of the plant world comes the sneezing and sniffling of a vast majority of the human population. Sometimes, mistaken as just the flu, seasonal allergies can go undiagnosed for many. For those who have been diagnosed with seasonal allergies, it becomes repetitive battle every year. It can be a struggle to enjoy the outdoors because you are suffering from allergies. To help determine if you are suffering from seasonal allergies and to find relief, here is some information and ideas on how you can get through this year without being slowed down by allergies. 

What are Seasonal Allergies

       Allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as seasonal allergies or hay fever, is an allergic reaction that occurs as a result of your immune system overacting due to a substance that you have inhaled. The most common substance is pollen which is why this allergy usually acts up during the early spring and summer.

Common Symptoms

       Allergic rhinitis can cause many symptoms, including the following:

• Stuffy, runny nose
• Sneezing
• Post-nasal drip
• Red, itchy, and watery eyes
• Swollen eyelids
• Itchy mouth, throat, ears, and face
• Sore throat
• Dry cough
• Headaches, facial pain or pressure
• Partial loss of hearing, smell, and taste
• Fatigue
• Dark circles under the eyes

       *Note: because of the similarity between seasonal allergies and the common cold, it can often go 

 undiagnosed the biggest way to tell if this is a common cold or seasonal allergies is that if it changes with the  season and it is reoccurring every year.  

How to Treat Seasonal Allergies

       There are several ways in which people treat their seasonal allergies. Some people use medication, some use herbal remedies, and others try to avoid exposure to allergens. 

       Drugs and medical treatment:

• Antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal corticosteroid sprays may help control allergy symptoms.
• Immunotherapy is a series of  regular injections of an allergen. As therapy goes on, the dosage being given will be slightly larger than the previous shot. Over time, your immune system will develop a tolerance to the allergen and no longer react to it. 

       Alternative medicine:

• Nasal irrigation is often used by those who suffer from seasonal allergies. Studies have shown that when done three times a day, nasal irrigation can reduce symptoms after 3-6 weeks of treatment. Neti pots, bulb syringes, or squeeze bottles using distilled water are all methods used for nasal irrigation.
• Acupuncture is still under research but there has been some evidence that suggests that it can help treat individuals with allergic rhinitis. 
• Using honey with wild flowers has also been known as treatment. Drinking tea or using honey in cooking is thought to help with seasonal allergies. It works like the immunotherapy shots,but in a more natural way. 
• Other methods such as changing diet and using herbal supplements..  

       Prevention:

       The following tips are to help prevent seasonal allergies from acting up during the time of year when airborne allergens are high:

• Stay indoors, and close the windows
• Use an air conditioner in your home and car
• Avoid the use of fans that draw air in your home and car
• Don't hang laundry outside to dry
• Bath or shower and change your clothes after being outside
• Use an air filter in your bedroom

Resources: 

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/allergic-rhinitis

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091674997701258

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