Best Seasonal Allergy Treatments that you can Explore
Cases of seasonal allergic rhinitis shoot up in mid-August when ragweed allergy season begins. There are about 36 million people in the United States suffering from allergic reactions caused by billions of pollen in the air, traveling for hundreds of miles.
There might not really be cure for allergies but there are a lot of medications which you can buy over the counter or have prescribed by your doctor, which can help control your allergy symptoms. Annoying allergic rhinitis symptoms like sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, nasal congestion, and throat irritation can be handled well with antihistamines, prescription nasal sprays, allergy shots or other medicine combinations.
The best way to control one’s allergies is by knowing one’s allergy triggers. In most cases though, we don’t have a clue at all. Here are some of the best treatments to consider for your seasonal allergy:
Antihistamines
You can get antihistamines in all forms. There are tablets, capsules, or liquid which you can take orally to help control the allergic reaction and symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and itchy nose. There are also topical anti-histamines in the form of eye drops and nasal sprays which can give the same benefit. Some of these drugs may cause drowsiness. Precaution should be taken when driving, using dangerous machinery or equipment; or engage in any activity which requires full concentration.
The doctor will be able to guide you on the dosage of the medication.
Decongestants and Nasal Sprays
You can ask your doctor if decongestants can help you control the nasal or sinus congestion caused by ragweed-induced allergic rhinitis. Decongestants can help unclog your stuffy nose and relieve sinus pressure and provide relief of these annoying symptoms.
Decongestants are available in different forms. Oral decongestant tablets, capsules or liquid can be obtained over the counter. You should be aware that side-effects of these medications can include tremors, irritability, insomnia, palpitations, or can aggravate high blood pressure. Topical decongestant nasal sprays are also available over the counter however precaution should be taken since these can cause “rebound nasal congestion” once the nose gets ”addicted” to the decongestant nasal spray.
Other medications, including steroids, anticholinergics, and antihistamines, can be delivered via a nasal spray to help control the symptoms caused by the allergic rhinitis. Intranasal steroids help control the inflammation in the nasal membranes induced by the allergic reaction. Anticholinergic agents help control the profuse nasal secretions that cause the runny nose and post-nasal drip, and antihistamines block histamine which causes the sneezing, itching and runny nose.
Allergy Shots
Allergen immunotherapy, also called allergy shots, help people increase their tolerance to different allergens. These shots are often given to people who suffer from moderate to severe allergic reactions not controlled despite taking multiple medications, symptomatic more than three months in a year, or when in situation where the allergen exposure is totally unavoidable. Allergy shots do not cure you from the allergies symptoms but help your body tolerate exposure to allergens like ragweed pollen. The times you will get the shot and the dosage will depend on the severity of your allergies. Make sure that you report any discomfort or shortness of breath to your allergist so they give you the appropriate dosage.
Ragweed Allergy: Practical Tips to avoid the Allergic Reactions
As midsummer begins, about twenty percent of the American population catches ragweed allergy or more commonly known as hay fever. The allergies symptoms are just like allergic rhinitis. You will hear people sneezing, complaining of itchy eyes, runny or stuffy nose, irritated throat, and some may have trouble sleeping. The allergic reaction also triggers asthma attack for some people.
There are some practical ways to avoid this seasonal allergy:
* Close your windows – It might be as simple as rolling up your car windows when you are on the road or at home, keeping the windows shut until the ragweed season is over. Ragweeds are all over the United States and it will be best if you lock out yourself from the ragweed pollens coming through your shutters.
* Keep track of pollen – The more you know about the problem, the better you will be able to fight it. You can monitor the amount of pollen in your region by watching the news or visiting some websites.
* Don’t go to areas where ragweed is abundant – The solution to any allergy is avoiding its cause. So if ragweed is the culprit you must avoid areas like vacant lots, the woods, roadsides, or even your own backyard. These are places where ragweed grows. If you really love the outdoors and can not resist the colors brought by summer or fall, then it might help if you wear a mask which is designed to catch allergens which might be present in the air. It might look awkward but it saves you from the allergic reactions.
* Wash ragweed pollen away – You do not see them but the pollens that click off the seasonal allergy time bomb cling to your hair, your clothes, shoes, or other stuffs that you bring. Taking a shower or washing the clothes as soon as possible will help get rid of the pollen which ticks off the allergies symptoms.
* Cut down the ragweed – Protect yourself from ragweed allergy by cutting the ragweed which maybe present near your home or around your yard. Do not cut them by yourself. Ask someone to get rid of the ragweed for you. This way you do not have to worry when you go out to play with your kids, get the morning paper, or when you do some gardening.
* Use an air filter at home – You cannot fully seal off your home from ragweed pollen. They will get inside your house as you open the door, the garage, or the windows. The unseen invaders will cause you to have watery eyes, cough, and sneeze. There are a lot of air purifiers in the market today that you can use inside your home. They are highly efficient in filtering for particulates present in the air so you can get rid of the allergy symptoms.
* Consult a Doctor – If the practical tips above do not work for you, don’t hesitate and consult the experts. The doctor may prescribe some antihistamine drugs which can help control the hay fever problem.