It is officially spring, with Shenandoah temperatures topping 80 degrees this weekend and stunning Texas bluebonnets budding by month’s end, creating ideal conditions for springing open the windows or connecting with nature. However, suppose you are one of the almost 20 million adults who suffer from seasonal hay fever, as reported by the CDC. In that case, spring’s warming weather and blooming flowers also provide the perfect ingredients for allergies. Allergy sufferers may experience a stuffy or runny nose, watery or itchy eyes, or itching of the roof of the mouth in addition to sneezing. There are measures, such as talking to your Shenandoah physician, you can take to relieve symptoms to get back to enjoying your favorite springtime activities.
What is Hay Fever?
The CDC reports that hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, strikes when airborne allergens such as tree and grass pollen spike. When these allergens enter your body through your respiratory system, your immune system responds to the perceived threat by releasing allergy symptom-inducing chemicals, causing you to feel discomfort. This condition may be seasonal, with many people experiencing symptoms in the spring, as the weather warms and flowers bloom, although others may be afflicted in the summer or fall. However, it is also possible for it to be perennial, depending on the triggers, meaning that some individuals experience symptoms year-round.
In addition, pollen can cause allergic conjunctivitis in some individuals, which is defined as the “inflammation of the eye due to exposure to allergens” (“Allergens and Pollen”). The CDC reports that allergic conjunctivitis is found in seven out of ten patients with allergic rhinitis. Should you experience red, watery, or itchy eyes – the common symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis – schedule an appointment with a Shenandoah physician for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Your physician can also help you manage seasonal allergies, especially if they interfere with your springtime activities, by helping you determine your specific triggers and ways to find relief.
Managing Spring Allergies
Know Your Pollen Count
There are a variety of online resources available to help you determine your local area’s daily pollen count, including The Weather Channel’s pollen count and allergy info tool, which requires you to input your city or zip code. It then offers a 15-day allergy forecast and today’s pollen count and breakdown, allowing you to take specific actions to avoid exposure to this allergen if the count is high. Those actions may include staying indoors as needed, wearing protective clothing, and showering after being outdoors.
Minimize Indoor Allergens
It is possible to minimize indoor allergens through routine home maintenance. One of the best ways is to change the filters in your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. These, available at most retail stores, are designed to trap a significant number of airborne particles like pollen that are at least 0.3 micrometers in size. The EPA says that HEPA filters have an efficiency removal rate of 99.97 percent.
Schedule an Appointment with a Shenandoah Physician
Conveniently located in Shenandoah – adjacent to Conroe, Spring, and The Woodlands – is our internal medicine practice providing comprehensive and compassionate patient-centered health care. Woodlands Diagnostic Clinic’s physicians are committed to optimizing the health and well-being of our patients through the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of both acute and chronic medical conditions in either an office or teleconference setting seven days a week. So, whether you need to visit a physician for your annual physical examination or find relief for spring allergies, schedule an appointment with Woodlands Diagnostic Clinic today at (281) 863-9554.
Resources:
“Allergies and Hay Fever.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Health Statistics, December 13, 2021.
“Allergies and Pollen.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Climate and Health, August 21, 2020.
“Allery Facts.” American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (ACAAI).
“First Day of Spring 2022: The Spring Equinox.” Almanac, December 28, 2021.
“Pollen and Your Health.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Climate and Health, August 21, 2020.
“Pollen Count and Allergy Info for Shenandoah, TX.” The Weather Channel, March 24, 2022.
“Texas Bluebonnets: 5 Things You Need to Know.” The Texas Wildflower.
“What is a HEPA filter?” The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
