Spring has sprung and so have those pesky allergies with which we are all too familiar in the South!

As such, it is probably a good time to prepare you and your family for this “less-than-pleasant” time of the year.

Pollen

Allergy symptoms can be triggered by a variety of things – pollen being a major culprit. Pollen is released into the air and sticks to just about everything!

Our body sees this pollen as an “invader” and responds by releasing a compound known as histamine. This immune response of our body produces all the characteristic symptoms of allergies like itchy eyes, runny nose and sneezing.

Allergies are common, affecting up to 30% of children and adults in the United States.

Medications

Physicians treat allergies with a variety of over-the-counter and prescription medications. Some common over-the-counter products are effective for many people:

• Steroid nasal sprays effectively reduce sinus inflammation. Two popular brands, Flonase and Nasacort, are now available without a prescription and are heavily advertised on television.
• Antihistamines like Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec and Allegra work by reducing the body's histamine production.
• Decongestants such as Sudafed provide relief from nasal congestion and swelling.
• Decongestant nasal sprays act quickly like their oral counterparts, though they should only be used sparingly due to the risk of rebound congestion.

Discuss with your physician before starting any of the above medications, as there are special circumstances for each in which they should be avoided.

Another option includes a visit to an allergy specialist, who may recommend allergy shots, depending on your allergen test results.

Other Tips

These simple steps may also help you mitigate the effects of allergens:

• Monitor weather reports and limit outdoor exposure when pollen counts are high
• Keep windows and doors closed at home or in the car during allergy season
• Consider purchasing a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter for indoor spaces
• After working or playing outdoors, take a shower and change clothing to remove allergens from the body
• Consider wearing an N-95 mask when mowing grass or any activity that “stirs up” allergens
• Keep pets well-groomed and bathed

If you are prone to allergies, many allergy specialists recommend starting medicines at least two weeks before allergy season is expected to begin.

By employing a few of the methods above, you can hopefully manage and alleviate the discomfort associated with seasonal allergies!