Are you experiencing a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, watery eyes, fatigue or coughing? You might think it’s the common cold, but with spring in full bloom you may be suffering from seasonal allergies. At this time of year many people confuse seasonal allergies with the common cold. The common cold typically last 10-14 days, but seasonal allergies can be bothersome for months.
Common seasonal allergy symptoms include: sneezing, coughing, itchy/watery eyes, runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy throat, or wheezing. Fatigue, irritability, hives, or itchy skin can also be seen with allergies. The most common triggers of seasonal allergies include tree, grass, ragweed pollens and mold. Most spring allergies start in February and can last all the way through early summer.
Some tips to consider in order to manage seasonal allergies include: monitor pollen and mold counts which are available on weather reports and in newspapers, keep doors shut in your home and car, stay indoors during high pollen times of the day including midday and afternoon, and if working or playing outside be sure to shower, wash hair and change clothes.
If you are further interested in what specifically you might be allergic to, talk to your doctor about doing a simple skin test where scratching of the skin or making an injection right underneath it, can show your doctor your body’s reaction to various allergens. This way you can have a better understanding of what to avoid.
Allergy avoidance is always the first recommendation to minimize allergy symptoms, but often time’s allergens cannot be avoided. In order to reduce the symptoms of seasonal allergies there are various over the counter products available for purchase at the pharmacy. These include antihistamines, oral nasal decongestants, nasal sprays, eye drops and more. You can even pick up your tissues here too!
It is best to speak with a pharmacist before purchasing a product to make sure it does not interact with any other medications you may be taking plus some products work better than others depending on your symptoms. If you think you are suffering from seasonal allergies, come talk to your Med-Fast Pharmacist today for a medication recommendation that will work best for you.
-Andrea Ghezzi
Pharmacy Intern
