One of the most unpleasant parts of spring and summer is seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever. They can cause everything from sniffles and sneezing to watery eyes and itchy skin. Seasonal allergies are more than just annoying. They can affect your entire life and even put your health at risk if you don't treat them properly. When you get treated at Amarillo STAT Care, our primary care providers will consistently be available to help you with your long-term issues such as seasonal allergies, and get you back on the road to feeling better. so you will not have to keep repeating yourself.
Seasonal allergies are caused by pollen released from trees, grasses, and weeds at certain times of the year. Allergies are one of the most common diseases in the United States, affecting about 50 million people. Living in the Texas Panhandle is no exception. The primary care providers at Amarillo STAT Care live and work here and they understand.
Seasonal allergies can be bothersome or even dangerous for those affected. However, they can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes, such as avoiding allergens and using air filters to clean indoor air.
Amarillo STAT Care can help you manage seasonal allergies. We'll provide you with everything you need to know about seasonal allergies, including causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment options, to help you get through allergy season.
Spring, summer, and fall are beautiful seasons in almost all parts of America and the Texas Panhandle. But for people with seasonal allergies, spring means sneezing, watery eyes, itchy ears, and nose - even runny poop! The culprit is pollen: tiny grains produced by plants (usually grasses) to fertilize other plants.
Your immune system reacts abnormally to things that do not usually trigger an immune response with allergies. If you have seasonal allergies, these reactions occur at certain times of the year. The three most common allergens are pollen, mold, and pet dander. In spring and summer, exposure to these allergens can cause allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, and skin rashes like hives or eczema. Amarillo STAT Care providers can keep track of what allergies you have and when you have them, and how to care for them when the time comes.
People can be allergic to different things. The type of allergen determines when your symptoms appear. Trees, for example, pollinate mainly from February to June. People who are allergic to tree pollen have the worst symptoms during these months. Grass and weed pollen also have seasonal patterns, and people who are allergic to them have increased symptoms at these times.
Your healthcare provider at Amarillo STAT Care will try to identify the substance that triggers your allergy. They will ask you about your symptoms and when they appear. Sometimes the allergen, such as pet dander, can be identified at this stage. You may need to see an allergist.
Healthcare providers at Amarillo STAT Care may refer you to an allergy clinic. The allergist makes tiny scratches on your skin for skin tests and puts liquid drops on the skin. Each drop contains a different allergen. If you are allergic to a substance, a red bump will appear where the substance was applied to your skin.
If you're prone to seasonal allergies, there are some steps you can take to reduce symptoms. Most importantly, limit your exposure: Stay outside less when pollen counts are high. Ensure that the air in your home is clean. This will limit your body's contact with allergens and prevent them from spreading indoors via dust or clothing.
There are a few natural home remedies for seasonal allergies that you can try at home, including:
Avoiding known allergens like pollen and pets
Closing windows on days with high pollen counts
Using saline nasal spray
Eating foods rich in vitamin C
Taking supplements
Drinking green tea
Getting enough sleep
Reducing stress levels
Meditation or yoga
Acupuncture
The good news is that seasonal allergies aren't life-threatening but can still affect your health and well-being. Many find relief by talking to their doctor at Amarillo STAT Care about over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines or decongestants. However, these medications may not be strong enough for severe allergy symptoms.
Antihistamines can help relieve allergy symptoms, but they do not treat underlying allergies. If your allergy symptoms are severe, you may need stronger medications like corticosteroids or immunotherapy. The latter is a special type of desensitization treatment that helps patients build immunity to allergens. Talk to the professionals at Amarillo STAT Care to find the right one for you.
While these treatments do not cure allergies, they do reduce or eliminate allergic reactions and their symptoms. Our experienced doctors at Amarillo STAT Care can prescribe what works best for you and your allergies.
There’s no magic cure for seasonal allergies, but there are steps you can take to avoid them. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, visit our clinic, and check with our doctors about an allergy test. This can help you identify what types of allergies you might have and how best to treat them to keep your family healthy and happy all year.