4 Key Steps for Improving Your Heart Health That You Can Start Today
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Plagued by Spring Allergies? 3 Ways to Prepare Before They Start
Though most people in New England wish all winter long for spring to arrive, many don’t share this same desire thanks to spring allergies.
Also called seasonal allergies, this issue affects millions of Americans — more than 25% of adults and 20% of kids, to be more precise.
Rather than being caught off guard this spring by seasonal rhinitis, the team at Bethel Family Medicine, including Dr. Douglas R. Grogan and Dr. Jennifer Hall DiFalco, has a better idea — be prepared.
As experts in family medicine, we want to share three top strategies to help you and your loved ones breathe easier this spring.
Get your allergy management toolkit in order
When spring rolls around, pollen takes to the air, leaving people with hay fever to spend their time sneezing, wheezing, and dealing with watery eyes and stuffy noses. And this problem is getting worse thanks to climate change, which is sending more springtime allergens into the air for longer periods.
To manage the side effects of hay fever, it’s important to make sure that your allergy toolkit is in order, including:
- Decongestants
- Antihistamines
- Steroid nose sprays
- Neti pots and saline rinses
You can find all of these over the counter, and we suggest that you load up for yourself and anyone in your family who might also have seasonal allergies.
Though this toolkit is highly effective for managing symptoms, that’s all it can do. If you want a more sustainable solution for your spring allergies, you might explore immunotherapy.
With this approach, small amounts of the allergen (pollen, in most cases) are introduced into your body so that you gradually build tolerance. Immunotherapy, which we also refer to as allergy shots, reduces seasonal rhinitis symptoms in about 85% of people.
We’re happy to sit down with you to determine whether you or your family member is a good candidate for immunotherapy.
Track the triggers
Other keys to the spring allergy management puzzle include tracking and managing your triggers. When it comes to spring allergies, that largely boils down to pollen, and the best way to track pollen is to check a map like this one here.
In addition to tracking pollen, track the weather conditions, too. For example, going out on windy days isn’t advised because pollen will be flying through the air.
Create a spring allergy oasis at home
Although you can’t control what happens outside your door, you do have some control over the environment inside your house. So, to prevent allergens from infiltrating your home, we suggest:
- Keeping windows closed, especially on breezy days
- Using HEPA air filters in the home
- Wiping off pets before they come in
- Wearing a hat outside to prevent pollen from coming in on your hair
- Quickly changing your clothes when you come inside
- Showering after being outside to remove pollen
With a little effort, you can ensure that your home, at least, is an oasis that’s free from hay fever.
For a more detailed allergy plan for you and your family this spring, or if you have any questions about allergy treatments, feel free to schedule an appointment at our office in Brockton, Massachusetts, today.
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