Dealing with allergies is always a pain. Between the runny noses, congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, and other unpleasant symptoms, it can be hard to enjoy life when your allergies are raging. And with spring approaching, many people with seasonal allergies will soon be desperate for relief from their discomfort. Fortunately, there are several effective ways that you can keep your allergy symptoms under control.
Over-the-Counter Medication
If your allergy symptoms are persistent, taking over-the-counter allergy medication will often be the easiest option for treating them. There are many different choices for over-the-counter antihistamines, including well-known medications like Zyrtec, Claritin, and Benadryl. These treatments greatly reduce various allergy symptoms in many people, though you may need to try several to find one that works well for you. Additionally, be sure that you’re aware of the side effects before taking a new antihistamine.
Prescription Medication
For some people, allergy symptoms can become resistant to over-the-counter medications. In those cases, the best choice may be to schedule an appointment with a local ENT specialist. They will be able to evaluate your situation and prescribe the right prescription allergy medication for your needs.
Clean Your Indoor Air
Do you regularly notice your allergy symptoms when you’re hanging out at home? If you do, then it almost certainly means that there are allergens floating around your indoor air. But, if you make an effort to remove these airborne contaminants, you can fill your home with clean, healthy air and keep your allergy symptoms in check. There are several effective methods for improving your indoor air quality:
- Purchase air purifiers
- Regularly replace HVAC air filters
- Open your windows periodically
- Buy indoor plants
- Have your ductwork cleaned
Allergy Shots
If you’re looking for a long-term solution to your allergy symptoms, you may want to consider allergy shots. These injections, which are available at South Florida ENT Associates, contain a tiny amount of the item that you’re allergic to. For several months, you’ll be injected with the substance once or twice a week, the dosage gradually increasing. Eventually, you will only need one maintenance injection per month. This process will allow your body to build up resistance to whatever you’re allergic to, which will greatly reduce your allergy symptoms.
Nasal Sprays
Although antihistamines can be very effective for treating allergy symptoms, they don’t always manage to eliminate congestion and nasal inflammation. If you’re dealing with those symptoms in particular, both steroid and saline nasal sprays can make a major difference. You can pick up these medications at your local pharmacy, and they should start to provide significant relief within a few days.
What Is the Takeaway?
Unpleasant allergy symptoms aren’t something that anyone should have to simply accept as a part of daily life. Whether you’re allergic to pollen, pet dander, smoke, dust, or anything else, there are effective treatments available to you. If you’re in the greater Miami area and struggling with allergy symptoms, consider seeing one of the expert ENT doctors at South Florida ENT Associates.
