Seasonal allergies are no walk in the park—especially when pollen’s in full swing. But with the right prevention and treatment, you can stay ahead of symptoms and keep enjoying the outdoors.
Contributed by: Kholoud Wishah, PhD | Allergy and Immunology
Allergen activity is actually on the rise. Here’s what to expect and how to breathe easier.
If it seems like your seasonal allergies are starting earlier and lasting longer, you’re not imagining it. Allergy season is 17 to 28 days longer than it used to be. MetroHealth allergist Kholoud Wishah, MD, says Ohio is not safe from this trend. Pollen counts are higher, too. The longer, more intense season means more folks with more severe symptoms.
What causes allergies?
Allergies happen when your immune system responds to a foreign substance like pet dander, pollens from trees, grass, or ragweed, triggering symptoms that can disrupt your well-being. These symptoms — such as sneezing, sniffles, and congestion — can range from mild discomfort to severe irritation.
Tree pollens are big in April and May. In June, there are grass pollens. Toward the end of the summer, it’s ragweed.
Not only can the symptoms make you miserable, but they can also cause sinus and ear infections in some people. Uncontrolled allergies can also trigger asthma.
How are allergies treated?
Many people start with over-the-counter (OTC) medication. These include:
- Antihistamines: Drugs like Claritin, Zyrtec and Allegra relieve symptoms and tend to be non-drowsy. By contrast, Benadryl can make you sleepy, and long-term use may increase the risk of dementia and should be avoided.
- Intranasal saline sprays: These can help loosen mucus in the nose and can rinse out pollen, relieving nasal symptoms. Many store brand options are available.
- Nasal steroids: These reduce inflammation and can help relieve a stuffy nose. Flonase, Nasacort, Nasonex and Rhinocort are common ones.
- Decongestants: These provide quick, temporary relief of nasal and sinus congestion. But they can cause trouble sleeping, headaches, increased blood pressure and irritability.
While allergy sufferers might have once waited for these OTC options to become less effective before they asked for the next level of treatment, these days, “We’re doing allergy shots earlier because people have more severe problems,” says Dr. Wishah.
Can allergy shots help?
Allergy shots work by giving you a tiny amount of the allergen — enough to help your body build up a tolerance without triggering a reaction.
You go weekly to start. After a few months of building up the dose, you come in once a month. It takes three to five years in total, she says, and it works for the majority of people. Symptoms either never come back or are very mild. Allergy shots are usually covered by insurance.
Next Steps
If seasonal allergies are keeping you from enjoying the outdoors, talk to your primary care provider. They may refer you to a specialist for allergy testing or discuss treatment options. For more information or to schedule an appointment with an allergist, call 216-778-2213.
To learn more about MetroHealth’s Allergy and Immunology Clinic, visit metrohealth.org/allergy-and-immunology.
