A
5200 Harry Hines Blvd.
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Dallas
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TX
75235
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- Main Retail Café: Mon - Sun | 6:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
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Posted: 4/27/2016
Parkland allergist offers tips for reducing pollen exposure
Spring has sprung and all should be lovely in the garden, unless of course you’re one of the thousands of North Texans who greet this season with the itchy eyes, sneezing and congestion brought on by allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever.
With allergy season seeming to spring up earlier each year, experts at Parkland Health & Hospital System emphasize that there are some steps you can take to reduce the effects of blowing pollen that takes flight, especially at this time of the year.
“There is no magic cure for spring allergies, but there are some ways to manage them. These range from medications to making lifestyle adjustments that limit your exposure,” said David Khan, MD, allergist at the Parkland Asthma and Allergy Clinics and Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. “But there is no doubt that spring can be a miserable time for allergy sufferers.”
And, it doesn’t help that the Dallas area is one of the country’s leading allergy sites. According to the 2015 annual ranking of U.S. cities by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), Dallas ranked number 17 on the list of 100 Allergy Capitals.
The main allergy culprit in spring is the tiny grains of pollen released into the air by grasses and trees. Around North Texas, gusty seasonal winds help spread pollen far and wide. If you are allergic and these grains get into your nose and eyes, your immune system tries to fight them off by releasing a chemical called histamine. The release of histamine results in the all-to-familiar symptoms – nose, throat and eye irritation.
Dr. Khan recommends that you find out specifically what pollens you are allergic to so you can better manage your seasonal symptoms.
“An allergy specialist can provide a proper diagnosis, perhaps using allergy testing, to help identify the allergens that trigger reactions and provide medications as well as advice on how to avoid exposure,” he said. “I would recommend that anyone who has persistent asthma or bothersome allergies (fall, spring, summer or year-round) should see a physician to make sure their allergies are effectively treated.”
Over-the-counter medications can help with mild-to-moderate symptoms but some patients require prescription drugs or nasal sprays that are more effective. Prescription nasal sprays work by reducing allergic inflammation, blocking histamine or both. Dr. Khan recommended that:
- For milder symptoms that are isolated to the nose and eyes, antihistamines are best for treatment and control.
- If oral antihistamines are not effective, try adding an over-the-counter nasal steroid spray. It is important to use this type of spray regularly and be patient as it will not provide immediate relief of symptoms. In addition, using salt water flushes before using a nasal spray can be helpful.
- If antihistamines and a nasal steroid spray don’t do the trick, other prescription medications or allergy shots can be very effective.
- For people with asthma: make sure you are taking all of your controller medications, are on medication to treat your allergies and have an action plan to treat exacerbations.
- Before you turn on your air conditioner for the first time, clean your vents and change the filter as clogged filters are less effective at keeping pollens and molds out of your home.
- When pollen is at its peak, stay indoors as much as possible, especially mid-day and in the afternoon when pollens are usually highest.