Don’t let Allergies Cloud your Spring

As trees begin to bud and the grass turns a vibrant green, it’s the perfect time to open the windows, head outside, and soak up the sunshine. But if a peaceful walk in nature or a breath of fresh spring air leaves you feeling foggy and sluggish, seasonal allergies are likely the culprit. “Typically, April to June people will experience tree allergies, June to August grass allergies, and as we head into the dog days of summer from late July to the first frost, ragweed, and hay fever allergies are at their peak,” explained Cuyuna Regional Medical Center’s Wendi Johnson, MD, FAAP. Johnson recommends taking a proactive approach to allergy season. If you know when your symptoms tend to peak, she suggests beginning antihistamines about a month in advance to stay ahead of the worst.

“By staying ahead of the pollen rush, you can control symptoms better. It is hard to stop reacting if you wait until all your receptors are full of what you are allergic to. Using antihistamines can keep receptors from getting saturated. Another over-the-counter treatment is an allergy nose spray like Flonase or AstaPro. These can help keep your nasal mucosa from reacting,” said Johnson.

She also recommends showering at night to get the pollen allergens off your skin and hair so you don’t keep reacting to it through the night. For those with cases so severe nothing seems to provide relief, staying indoors may be your best line of defense. “If you are miserable with outdoor allergies, just stay inside for a day or two to get your body to stop reacting,” said Johnson. If you can’t figure out what you are allergic to depending upon the season or can’t control your symptoms, Johnson recommends patients make an appointment with their primary care provider. “You should come in to discuss prescription options and may want to consider testing,” said Johnson.