Rough allergy season? How to keep symptoms at bay

(BPT) - Feeling itchy, sneezy and congested? If you or a family member find your allergies are worse this year — or if you have allergy symptoms for the first time — you are not alone. The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America reports over 50 million people suffer from allergies nationwide, and a large portion of those are seasonal sufferers. Spring brings mostly tree pollen, summer sees grass allergies flare up and weeds flourish in the fall. Climate change, especially warmer temperatures, has been causing higher pollen counts and longer pollen seasons, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in the United States of America.

Whether you are one of the many chronic allergy sufferers or you’re noticing symptoms for the first time, you know how irritating — and even debilitating — allergies can be.

The causes of allergies can be as varied as the symptoms, and many people with allergies have more than one type of allergy.

How to reduce allergens in your home

Finding relief throughout allergy season may involve proactive measures to reduce your exposure to outdoor allergens. Tactics recommended by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and the Mayo Clinic include:

• Be aware of pollen counts — Check your local forecast for daily pollen counts, which tend to be higher on warmer, drier days.
• Stay indoors and keep windows closed — Especially on high pollen count days, reduce your symptoms by spending more time indoors with windows closed.
• Keep allergens outside — After spending time outdoors, leave shoes at the door to avoid tracking throughout your home. Then change your clothes and shower to cut down on pollen you’re bringing into the house, or wipe off allergens with a cleansing wipe.
• Change HVAC filters frequently — Use high-efficiency filters and change them frequently, which can also help reduce in-home allergens like dust mites and pet dander.
• Use a portable HEPA air filter — This can help, especially in your bedroom or other rooms where you spend a lot of time.

How to treat your allergy symptoms

You may have tried a number of over-the-counter allergy medications already — with mixed results — or you may be overwhelmed at the many options available, leaving you unsure where to start. The trial-and-error approach to allergy medications can be frustrating and make you feel like there is no real solution.

However, there now exists a new, personalized approach to treating allergies from allwell that is more holistic, taking into account your specific symptoms and experience. To start, simply take their online assessment to find your own customized regimen. With your results, allwell creates a 3-step allergy therapy plan as unique as you are. Depending on your particular symptoms, your allergy therapy kit will contain products specifically designed to defend, rescue and soothe your body, which is on high alert fighting environmental allergens.

• Step 1: Daily relief — This is a medication you should start using at the first sneeze of the season, such as an effective over-the-counter antihistamine. For maximum relief, daily therapy should be taken every day throughout allergy season.
  
  
• Step 2: Rescue relief — These products are designed to be used as needed, to address your most irritating allergy symptom. You can turn to this product when you know it is going to be a “bad allergy day.” For example, it could be a medicated allergy eye drop if you suffer most from itchy, watery eyes, or sinus congestion medication you need for rapid relief.
  
  
• Step 3: Soothing relief — Some days, your allergies are written all over your face. You can turn to this therapy to calm your body, which is on high alert as a response to whatever allergen you are reacting to. Soothing products recommended for you could include to a cryo roller to depuff “allergy eyes”, or nasal strips to help open up your nasal airways if congestion is your worst symptom.

To add to the convenience for you, after taking the assessment and reviewing your personalized kit, you can order it online to be delivered directly to your home.

If your symptoms worsen or cause you concern, it's always a good idea to consult your primary healthcare provider.

Ready to find your allergy relief? Visit getallwell.com.