If you can’t stop reaching for the Kleenex, and if your eyes are red, itchy, burning, and watery, you know spring is in the air -- and so is the pollen.
The main tree pollen contributors are oak, pine, sweet gum, hackberry and birch.
So your allergies may be acting up, and it may feel particularly intense thanks to dramatic swings in temperatures.
As the weather turns cooler, pollen counts can drop during cold, and even freezing temperatures. When warm weather returns, so does the pollen.
And during a re-exposure to spring pollen, some people may experience a more intense reaction in what is referred to as the "priming effect," according to Atlanta Allergy & Asthma. When people are exposed to an allergen, and then the pollen goes away for a while because of a weather change (recent freezing temperatures) and then they are re-exposed to the allergen (now during warmer temperatures), a person can have an even more intense allergic response because their immune system is primed.
The group’s No.1 tip -- have a management plan to cope with symptoms this spring.
Here are six strategies from Atlanta Allergy & Asthma to get some relief from spring time allergies:
- Adjust when you spend time outside. On higher-pollen-count days, avoid going outside, especially in mid-day when it's warmer and pollen levels tend to be at their highest.
- Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Antihistamines block the histamine your body makes. If your nose is stuffy, decongestants can help you breathe easier. Some nasal sprays help allergy symptoms, too. OTC drugs will work for many, but should be taken in advance of symptoms getting bad, or even in advance of pollen exposure/season.
- Prescription medication. If the OTC drugs don't work, your doctor may prescribe prescription drugs and nasal sprays. Some prescribed medications block chemicals other than histamine that can trigger allergies.
- Allergy immunotherapy. If you are not successful with medications, allergy immunotherapy may help. Allergen immunotherapy is a disease modifying therapy that enables the patient's immune system to develop a tolerance to the allergen exposure. It's available in three forms: shots, drops and tablets. For shots, you'll go to the allergist every few weeks for the doctor to inject a tiny amount of what's causing your problem under your skin. After a period of months, your body should get used to the trigger and your symptoms should get better.
- Wash your hair. Be sure to shower and wash your hair before going to bed. Your hair collects a lot of pollen and if you don't wash it out, it stays trapped, right next to your nose.
- Keep windows closed. Keep cool with AC.
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