You may love to see pretty flowers bloom in spring, but they can be a problem when you have allergies.
Sometimes called hay fever, seasonal allergies are typically triggered by pollen. That pollen tends to come from trees and flowers, in the case of spring allergies. (Grass and weed pollens can be culprits in summer and fall.) When you are allergic to pollen, your immune system overreacts, triggering allergy symptoms.
So how can you tell if you might have spring allergies? This time of year, you may start to notice symptoms such as:
• Sneezing.
• Runny or stuffy nose.
• Red, watery eyes.
• Itchy nose, eyes or mouth.
Finding relief from allergies
You don't have to put up with spring allergies that are making you miserable. See a doctor if you have allergy symptoms. A doctor can use skin or blood tests to help pinpoint your specific allergy triggers, as well as create a treatment plan for you that may include:
Taking allergy medicine as directed. A doctor may suggest over-the-counter or prescription medicines, such as corticosteroid nasal sprays, decongestants or antihistamines, to help relieve or prevent your symptoms.
Avoiding allergy triggers. While it may not be possible to avoid pollen entirely, try to reduce your exposure to it as much as possible. For example:
• Check pollen forecasts before heading out. Try to plan your outdoor activities to avoid being outside when pollen counts are high.
• Keep your windows closed when a lot of pollen is in the air.
• Wear a mask and cover your hair if you must go outside during pollen season.
• Shower and change your clothes after being outside.
Consider immunotherapy (allergy shots)
If other treatments don't work, allergy shots may help. The shots help your body gradually get used to an allergen so that you may have fewer and less severe symptoms over time.
Get expert help with allergies