Conquering Spring Allergies: Tips from your Local Pharmacy

If you find yourself with a stuffy nose, watery eyes, and constant sneezing every spring, you’re not alone. Nearly 81 million Americans deal with hay fever every year, with the most common contributors being pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds. ¹ Lucky for you, your community pharmacy can be your first stop for allergy relief and prevention.

What Are Spring Allergies?

Allergies occur when a foreign substance, or allergen, causes an overload to the immune system. Allergens can be eaten, inhaled, injected, or touched, with spring allergens most commonly being inhaled or even touched. Timing and severity of spring allergies can vary across the U.S. due to various climate factors such as warmer or cooler days, humidity, pollen levels throughout the day, rainy seasons, and wind. ²

Allergy Symptoms

Allergic reactions can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from common to severe. ¹

Common allergy symptoms:

• Coughing

• Sneezing

• Hives

• Rashes

• Itchy eyes

• Running nose

• Swelling

• Scratchy throat

Severe allergy symptoms:

• Low blood pressure

• Troubles breathing

• Asthma attacks

• Possible death if not treated right away

Allergy Triggers

Spring allergies are most commonly caused by a variety of both indoor and outdoor allergens, and it is common for those with allergies to be allergic to more than just one trigger. These airborne allergens may include tree pollen, grass pollen, weed pollen, mold spores, dust mites, cockroaches, pet dander, and rodent dander. ¹

How Can I Prevent Allergies?

Allergy prevention is one of the best ways to reduce your exposure to allergens. To reduce allergen exposure, try the following tips: ³

• Staying indoors on dry, windy days. Instead, go outside after it rains.

• Avoid mowing the lawn or pulling weeds. These can stir up allergens in the air.

• Change your clothes and shower when you come inside. This helps rid your body of allergens that may have clung to your clothing, skin, or hair.

• Avoid hanging your laundry outside to dry. Pollen can stick to towels and sheets.

• Wear a face mask if you do chores outdoors. A face mask helps reduce the amount of allergens you may inhale during these activities.

Another way to reduce your allergen exposure is to closely monitor pollen counts. You can check your local TV or radio station, newspaper, weather app, or internet for pollen counts in your area. If the forecasted pollen count is high, take allergy medications before your symptoms start. ³ Keeping the air inside your home clear of allergens can help as well! While there’s no way to eliminate all allergens, you can try the following suggestions: ³

• Use air conditioning in the house and car

• Use high-efficiency filters and follow regular maintenance

• Use a dehumidifier to keep indoor air dry

• Use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your bedroom.

• Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter

What Can I Take for Allergy Relief

When it comes to allergy relief, there are many options to choose from. From pills and liquids to inhalers and creams, it’s best to talk with your pharmacist or other healthcare provider to determine which option is best for you.

Antihistamines

This type of allergy relief helps to block certain cells in your body from receiving histamine, a chemical released by the immune system that causes allergic reaction symptoms. ⁴ Antihistamines come in a variety of forms, including nasal sprays, eye drops, pills, and liquids.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids help relieve allergy symptoms by suppressing inflammation. ⁴ This allergy relief also comes with various options to choose from, such as nasal sprays, eye drops, pills and liquids, inhalers, and skin creams.

Mast Cell Stabilizers

This type of allergy relief blocks the release of histamine and often needs to be used for several days to see results. These are typically used when antihistamines are not working or are not well-tolerated. ⁴ Mast cell stabilizers come in nasal sprays and eye drops.

Immunotherapy Treatments

Another option for allergy relief is immunotherapy treatment, either through allergy shots or sublingual immunotherapy. Allergy shots are injections of allergens over time to help desensitize the individual to those allergens. This is common with those who have allergies to pollen, pets, dust, bees, and asthma. Sublingual immunotherapy is when allergists administer small doses of allergens under the tongue to improve tolerance and reduce symptoms. It is a common treatment for asthma and nasal allergies such as dust mites, grass, and ragweed. ⁵

Now I’m Ready for Spring Allergies!

Since you now know what spring allergies are, their symptoms, and how to reduce exposure and treat them, you’re almost all set! Before starting a new medication, it is best to consult your pharmacist or healthcare provider to check for drug interactions, possible side effects, and to determine what option is best for you. If you find yourself dealing with spring allergies each year, stop by the pharmacy to chat with our pharmacist or give us a call!

Sources:

1. https://aafa.org/allergies/allergy-facts/ 

2. https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/seasonal-allergies/

3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/in-depth/seasonal-allergies/art-20048343

4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/in-depth/allergy-medications/art-20047403

5. https://aafa.org/allergies/allergy-treatments/