As spring begins to flex its muscles, many of the millions of Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies are probably beginning to experience those annoyingly familiar symptoms of nasal congestion, itchy red eyes, and constant sneezing. While science hasn’t yet figured out a way to fully cure allergies, there are thankfully a lot of steps you can take to help lessen the severity of the symptoms.
Minimize Exposure to the Allergens in Your Environment
Several different kinds of allergens commonly affect those with allergy symptoms — mold, pet dander, pollen, ragweed, and a few others. All of them essentially have the same result on your body; they activate your immune system, which then triggers cells in your body to release compounds called histamines. These histamines cause symptoms commonly associated with allergies such as a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes. The best way to decrease your symptoms is simply to limit your exposure to the allergens in the first place.
Wash your pillow cases, sheets, and bedding every week
Wash your hands and face several times a day; avoid touching your face and eyes with your hands
Vacuum and dust often
Limit the development of mold spores by using a dehumidifier to reduce moisture in your home
If you have pets, brush them frequently and try to keep them off of upholstery and furniture (easier said than done)
Exercise daily, and stay hydrated; improved blood flow increases the speed at which your body can flush out allergens
Talk to Your Doctor
In addition to the steps mentioned above, those who suffer from allergies may also want to discuss other strategies with a health care provider. There are several reasonably-priced generic drugs available over the counter such as Claritin (Loratadine), Zyrtec (Cetirizine), and Allegra (Fexofenadine). One recent addition to this over the counter list is Flonase (Fluticasone), an effective nose spray that used to be available only by prescription.
Whichever route you take, it’s important to plan with your health care provider in order to determine the most effective and safest treatment. Also, bear in mind that many of these treatment options may not work instantaneously, but may take days or even weeks of consistent use to reach their full potential.
Lastly, remember that you should always check the price for any prescribed medication using your RefillWise card so you can save money on top of saving your runny nose.
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