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Allergies
Eyes itching? Nose running? Ah, spring. If you are one of the 67 million Americans suffering from seasonal allergies, you know there's more to look forward to than sunny days and warmer temperatures. You know it is only a matter of time until your seasonal allergies are hindering you once again.
Don't get discouraged just yet. There are a number of techniques you can use to relieve and prevent your springtime suffering and enjoy the fresh flowers and blooming trees as much as anyone. But in order for you to combat your symptoms, it is important that you first understand what your fighting and why your body reacts the way it does.
An allergy is a heightened sensitivity to a foreign substance (the allergen) that causes your body's immune system to overreact when defending itself. For people with allergies, the immune system conjures the same defense whether fighting something harmful like bacteria, or something relatively harmless, like pollen.
One of the most basic ways to keep your allergies under control is to simply limit your exposure to whatever triggers your symptoms. Stay inside on dry windy days, avoid lawn mowing, and after spending time outside, remove your clothes and shower to get rid of any pollen that may stick to your hair, skin, and clothes.
In addition to these, another great resource can be found at pollen.com. Here, you can view the allergy forecast by zip code based on information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This tool provides you with a 4-day allergen level forecast, highlights the predominant allergen currently in the air, and discusses why the pollen count is rising or falling. With this easily accessible information, you will be able to plan for high-allergen days and choose to either stay inside, or make double sure your Zyrtec, Claritin, etc. is readily available.
Allergies are inconvenient and unavoidable for many of us. However, you can take measures to control you symptoms and enjoy your spring. And, if you can't seem to find relief, don't hesitate to call. Your doctor may be able to help you pinpoint your triggers and discuss alternate treatments. So take a deep breath, and enjoy spring!
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