Seasonal allergies are a major source of sickness and discomfort. They sort of sneak up on you and strike, even when you know that the season is coming. Maybe you’ve had a winter of smooth, relaxed breathing and then the sun’s heat reaches the pollinating flowers and boom, your nose is as red as Santa’s. We know that some of you get winter-based allergies, too.
At Apex Medical Center, patients suffering from seasonal allergies come through our doors all year around. Whether you’ve been suffering for a while, or experiencing seasonal allergies for the first time, we know you’re uncomfortable. With this in mind, we’ve put together a guide to help you find relief from seasonal allergies.
The standard seasonal allergy is sometimes called “hay fever.” The runny nose, blocked sinuses, and itchy eyes all add up to a miserable time for sufferers during the high-pollen months. We also see patients who may have allergies to the mold and ragweed in the air during the fall months, and other patients who are sensitive to the pine in fresh-cut Christmas trees and wreaths. And if you suffer from one seasonal allergy, you may well suffer from several.
Forewarned is forearmed as many a wise person will tell you. It may be a good idea to mark the beginning of pollen season and other trigger times on your calendar when you suffer from seasonal allergies. By being aware of when the allergens will be in the air, you can take preventive action to minimize their effects.
Listen to your local radio station or TV channel for pollen advisory notices which will allow you to take your medications in advance of peak season. When getting into the high-allergen days, keep doors and windows closed day and night. Change the pollen filter in your car and air conditioning vents in the early spring, to get the maximum effect of the devices. Switch on your HEPA filter in your bedroom at night and keep one going in your office during the day, if possible. Your provider may have other specific suggestions for you or may prescribe medications, such as antihistamines and inhalers, to help control your symptoms
After you’re tested to see which substances you’re allergic to -- called allergens -- you can be desensitized by using immunotherapy. We can administer a course of immunotherapy made just for you, to build up your resistance to tree or grass pollens, mold, or whatever substances cause your seasonal allergy symptoms.
A serum is created that contains your specific allergen or combination of allergens. Then you begin your allergy shots. You receive increasing doses of the serum in your injections over time, as long as you tolerate them well. Over the course of the therapy you’ll become less sensitive to the seasonal allergens so that you’ll have fewer symptom flare-ups in the future. If you’d like to get a handle on your seasonal allergy symptoms, call one of our offices, located in Henderson or Las Vegas, Nevada. Or you can click the “book online” button here on the website.
