5 Tips For Preventing Seasonal Allergies
If the thought of spring sends a shiver up your spine because of your allergies, the skilled providers at Rutherford Medical Center have good news: You can enjoy the change of seasons, even if you have allergies.
Dr. Keviene Rutherford and his team take a holistic approach to providing excellent primary care in Alpharetta, Georgia. That means a multipronged approach to managing chronic conditions like allergies. If you have seasonal allergies, we offer these five tips to help nip your symptoms in the bud.
1. Talk to your doctor
The most obvious way to prevent seasonal allergies is to work with an expert. This important step ensures that you get a clear diagnosis of your allergy to pinpoint your triggers. Seasonal allergies often occur due to grass or tree pollen, mold, and ragweed. However, other allergy triggers persist year-round.
Once Dr. Rutherford has a clear understanding of your condition, he can provide personalized guidance on management strategies.
2. Take medications as directed — and before symptoms arise
Another crucial step in avoiding seasonal allergy symptoms involves following your treatment strategy. Medication can provide game-changing relief for allergy sufferers. However, not all medications are equal when it comes to managing allergy symptoms. Similarly, some can be more risky for older adults.
Dr. Rutherford can demystify the allergy medication aisle and tell you which medications are best for you. He can also offer advice on which products to start early to block your allergic reaction before it begins.
3. Reduce your exposure to your triggers
If you have seasonal allergies, you don’t have to avoid going outdoors entirely. However, you can prevent symptom flare-ups by reducing your contact with your triggers and preventing outdoor triggers from affecting you when you’re indoors.
If you have seasonal allergies, Dr. Rutherford might recommend:
- Wearing a face mask while doing chores outside
- Limiting high-pollen activities, like mowing grass or raking leaves
- Showering when you come in from outdoors and putting on fresh clothes
- Wiping allergens off your pet after spending time outside
- Not drying laundry outdoors
You can also rinse your nasal passages with saline solution to flush allergens and mucus from your nose.
4. Keep your air clean
It’s impossible to keep all allergens out of your home. But you can take steps to reduce their numbers.
- Keep your windows closed at home and in the car
- Clean often with a vacuum containing a HEPA filter
- Change your bedding frequently
- Use high-efficiency filters for heating or air conditioning units
- Put a high-efficiency HEPA air filter in your bedroom
Running a dehumidifier can also help with seasonal allergies by keeping indoor air dry.
5. Stay on top of allergy and weather information
If you have seasonal allergies, it’s essential to know the pollen count. This measurement can tell you when there’s a lot of pollen in the air so you can take action. Watch the forecast for strong winds that could aggravate allergy symptoms.
When pollen counts soar, Dr. Rutherford may recommend:
- Avoiding activity outdoors during peak times, like in the morning
- Adjusting your allergy medication
- Keeping windows and doors closed
To track pollen counts in your area, check local news outlets or the internet for daily forecasts or download an allergy app.
Don’t wait to get ready for allergy season. With Dr. Rutherford’s help, you can keep seasonal allergies from derailing your spring and you can enjoy every season, symptom-free. Contact Rutherford Medical Center by phone or online to schedule an appointment today.