Spring is Here, and So Are Allergies.
Rain has been sweeping the nation – March in particular. Into April, we’ll be seeing more rain and then the glorious blooms of springtime. (And the not-so-glorious sounds of sneezing and sniffling.) Seasonal allergies aren’t fun. They sometimes come about as early as February, when the trees start blooming and the grass starts growing. As beautiful as this time of year is, we shouldn’t have to completely rearrange our lives and sunny-day enjoyment for the pesky symptoms that come with it.
What Do Allergies Look Like?
You know ‘em: itchy eyes, sometimes itchy skin, sneezing, nasal congestion, wheezing, rash, runny nose, swelling, and sometimes asthma–all symptoms of allergies. These result from exposure to grass, weeds, tree pollen (or pollen in general), molds, or animal dander. As for the severity of symptoms, genes and environment play huge roles.
Stay Away from Allergy Triggers
While we don’t want you to squash the fun that comes with springtime, such as Easter egg hunts and trips to the park, you will have to make some sacrifices. For example, you should reduce your exposure to your allergy triggers. On dry, windy days, try to stay indoors and save some outdoor time for post-rain plans, as rain clears pollen from the air. Outdoor chores such as gardening, mowing, and weed pulling should be given to someone with less risk of symptoms. Volunteer for some other chores far away from floating allergens, but if you must, wear a pollen mask to guard against inhalation. Also, if you do spend a day outdoors in the fresh spring air, remove the clothes you wore, wash them, and shower to rinse any debris from your skin and hair.
If Symptoms Persist, Let Us Assist
As mentioned above, another cause of allergies is mold. It has almost identical symptoms to those seen in seasonal allergies. Molds are simply fungi that grow both indoors and outdoors in warm, damp, and humid conditions. They spread and reproduce by making spores, some of which can also survive in dry conditions. That’s why it’s important to pay close attention to the duration of your “allergy” symptoms, as it could be something more. In that case, further testing should take place by experts.
