The end of flu season is usually the start of allergy season. In Texas, pollen count begins to rise in the Spring months of April and May, as Mulberry, Sycamore, Oak, Ash, Pecan, and Elm trees begin pollinating. By June, pollen season peaks. If you are a seasonal allergy sufferer, you know what this means for you. Coughing, sneezing, a runny nose, watery eyes, and wheezing are in order if you don’t have a treatment plan in place. Preparation is key to having a healthy allergy season.
Below are tips for a healthy allergy season.
Check The Pollen Count
Monitor pollen count using tools that are available online. In Georgetown, TX, you can check this website and get a five-day forecast. Tools like this help you plan for the days ahead. It is best to stay indoors on days with a high pollen count.
Keep Windows Closed
During allergy season, it’s better to keep the windows closed to avoid letting pollen in. The pollen could be carried by the wind and land on your curtains, bed, couch, carpet, and more. Keep the air conditioner on and invest in an air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filter. The most advanced HEPA filters can filter 99.99% of pollen particles in the air.
Reduce Exposure to Allergens
If you have allergic rhinitis, chances are, pollen is a big trigger, which is why it’s called seasonal allergies. Other allergens include ragweed, but its pollination usually begins in the Fall. To reduce exposure to an allergen like pollen, minimize time spent outdoors when the pollen count is too high. The pollen count is usually highest in the evening. Change out of your clothes and take a shower after spending time outdoors. If you have pets who go outdoors, frequently give them baths, so they don’t bring in pollen that you could get exposed to.
Have A Plan – Take Preventive Medication
Every allergy sufferer should have a treatment plan to relieve allergy symptoms and reduce the frequency of attacks. If you must be outside for a social, family, or work activity, and the pollen count is high, you can take allergy medication beforehand. However, make sure to consult a doctor for the best prevention plan. There are some medications that can block the allergic reaction before it starts. This method is found to be better than taking medication once the reaction has taken place. An example of preventive medication is corticosteroid nasal sprays.
Allergy treatments are highly individualized. So what works for someone else may not work for you. Also, with the wide variety of allergy medications on the market, it may take time to figure out what’s most effective and suitable one for you.
Allergy Doctor in Georgetown, TX
Our ear, nose, and throat doctor, Dr. Scott W. Franklin, at Georgetown ENT treats patients with seasonal and perennial allergies. Our goal is to educate you about your allergies and identify your triggers, so we can formulate a treatment plan to improve your symptoms.
Dr. Franklin works with patients to find the most comfortable allergy treatment. He can also provide you immunotherapy to train your body to get used to the allergen and reduce reliance on allergy medication. To make an appointment with Dr. Franklin, call Georgetown ENT clinic at (512) 869-0604 or use our online request form.
