What are allergies?
When your immune system overreacts to a trigger that it considers harmful, called an allergen, an allergic reaction occurs. Many objects can be considered allergens, from mold and pet dander to food and pollen. Allergens and allergic reactions vary from person to person.
Learn more about seasonal allergies and their symptoms.
What are common spring allergy irritants/triggers?
In March, April and May the most likely trigger of allergies is pollen from trees, grasses and weeds. As plants release pollen to attempt to reproduce, it can get caught in your airways and trigger an allergic reaction. Allergies can also depend on your environment. On windy days, the pollen count will often be high, putting you more at risk for symptoms due to seasonal allergens.
Spring allergies can be triggered in ways beyond the environment. Mold and dust mites are also common allergens — which can be released into the air and agitated by spring cleaning.
How can I manage my allergies?
The allergens that trigger a reaction and the severity of your symptoms can help you determine the best course of treatment for your spring allergies. If your symptoms are mild to moderate, you may be able to manage your allergies at home, but if your symptoms are severe and you are uncomfortable then it is best to seek the advice of a medical provider.
Home allergy management tips include:
Reduce Your Exposure
If your allergies are triggered every spring, it is likely that pollen is a cause. You can confirm with your primary care provider. Once you understand what is causing your spring allergies, you can do your best to avoid exposure that will trigger a reaction. Check your weather app to see if it lists the pollen count in your area and try to avoid grassy or tree filled areas on windy days. If cleaning releases allergens that cause your body to react, you may want to wear a mouth and nose covering like a mask or bandana.
Clean Out Your Home When Possible
Allergens can make their way into your home via open windows, sticking into the fibers of your clothes, pets and other environmental factors. Cleaning your home — especially high traffic areas — can help reduce allergens and their triggering effects. Beyond traditional home cleaning, using air purifiers and even humidifiers can help keep your living space low in allergens.
Stay Hydrated
When your body is dehydrated it creates more histamines, which are the chemicals that cause many allergy symptoms. The more you hydrate and drink water, the more you reduce the production of histamines in your body. Staying hydrated will also help control mucus production, making coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose more effective.
Up Your Vitamin Intake
In addition to maintaining overall health, vitamins can help prevent allergy symptoms. Vitamin C acts as a natural antihistamine, soothing upper respiratory and seasonal allergy symptoms.
Vitamin B also aids in the breakdown of histamines in the body, reducing your chances of more severe allergy symptoms.
How can an urgent care provider help me manage my allergies?
If your symptoms will not reduce or go away, a medical professional can help determine the best options for reducing your symptoms as well as managing your allergies. They may write you a prescription and provide additional education on avoiding allergens throughout the season. If you are not certain if your symptoms are due to allergies or a new illness, a medical professional can help differentiate between allergies versus an infection.
Visit WellNow for Seasonal Allergy Relief
At WellNow, our dedicated medical team will provide comprehensive care and treatment for your seasonal allergies. Available both online through virtual care and in-clinic at a location near you, our medical providers ask questions and examine your symptoms to get to the root cause of your allergies to best determine treatment, personalized for your needs.
Reserve your spot at a WellNow clinic near you.
WellNow Urgent Care is a series of urgent care clinics and virtual care serving the Midwest and Northeastern United States in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania.
Information contained in this blog is for informational or educational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals. The content is not meant to be complete or exhaustive or to apply to any specific individual's medical condition. Always refer to the personalized information given to you by your doctor or contact us directly.
