Tips to combat seasonal allergies

The seasons are changing, and with that, allergens are in the air.

According to the CDC, about one quarter of U.S. adults suffer from seasonal allergies.

Pollen is an airborne allergen, meaning people are affected by breathing it in. This inhalation can cause various symptoms.

“It’s an inflammation, and basically your response of your body is the histamine that encounters the allergen,” said Jackie Chirico, a nurse practitioner at the Troy University health center.

For a person experiencing seasonal allergy symptoms, it’s important to know how to alleviate these symptoms.

“The number one defense against that is an antihistamine which blocks the histamine receptors,” said Chirico. “This is like Allegra, Zyrtec and Claritin.”

Chirico says people with certain respiratory conditions should take extra care around allergens.

“This is so important this time of the year, especially with people with asthma and things like that because of it being an inflammatory process,” Chirico said. “The inflammation can go down into your chest once you get it in your sinuses and it can travel down.

“If you have a history of asthma it can cause a flare up also.”

However, there are ways to prevent allergy reactions from getting bad.

“First of March, they need to start on their regular antihistamine that they take once a day,” Chirico said.

She said you can also use steroid nasal sprays, such as Flonase.

“What it does is help inside the passages of the nose to help shrink the swelling that causes the inflammation that produces the mucus, so it cuts down on that swelling,” Chirico said.

She said if you can, try to stay indoors, away from allergens.

The spring is also a time when many people catch a cold or the flu.

“You don't run a fever necessarily with allergies,” said Chirico.

If you have a fever, or if your sinus pressure is more than you can bear, it may be time to see a doctor.