How to Handle Your Summer Allergies

Allergies can make you miserable. With itchy eyes, a runny nose, sneezing and congestion, enjoying yourself during beautiful summer months can be difficult. Try these simple tips to keep your summer allergies under control and have fun this summer!

Keep Indoor Air Clean

Unfortunately, there isn’t a product that can magically eliminate all allergens in your home. However, when using the air conditioning in the house or car regularly, changing the air filters and keeping the indoor air dry with a dehumidifier can greatly help.

Reduce Exposure

Try and reduce your exposure to things that can activate your allergies like staying indoors on dry or windy days. Understanding that spending all summer indoors is impossible, plan ahead and look at local weather or pollen levels.

If outside chores are calling your name, either wear a pollen mask or delegate the chores like lawn mowing or weed pulling. After outdoor chores or activities, remove the clothes you wore outside and shower to remove all the pollen from your hair and skin.

Rinses Those Sinuses

Rinsing your sinuses, or nasal irrigation, is a beneficial way to relieve symptoms for those who struggle with allergies or just general nasal congestion. Nasal irrigation is flushing out your nasal cavity with a saline solution. The solution is a simple mixture of purified water and salt, used in combination with a squeeze bottle or a neti pot. Directly rinsing your sinuses or nasal passages will flushes out mucus and allergens in your nose.

Over-the-counter remedy

If the tips above aren’t cutting it, there are several types of nonprescription medications that can alleviate your allergy symptoms.

• Oral antihistamines can help relieve sneezing, itching, a runny nose and watery eyes
• Decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine, can provide temporary relief from nasal stuffiness
• Nasal spray can ease allergy symptoms and doesn’t have serious side effects, though it’s most effective when you begin using it before your symptoms start

Consult a Doctor

For some, taking precaution or using over-the-counter medications isn’t enough to alleviate their allergy symptoms. So, consult your doctor to determine the best course of action for your allergies, whether they are seasonal or year around.

For more information on all Rhinology questions or to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians, please visit https://nevada-ent.com/ or call 775.322.4589.