I’m Embarrassed About My Severe Eczema
Eczema flare-ups can cause uncomfortable — and embarrassing — symptoms. But they don’t have to. You can make these moments a distant memory with the right treatment strategy. Read on to learn more.
How You Can Start Preparing for Spring Allergies Now
When you suffer from seasonal allergies, the mere thought of spring can send a shudder up your spine. But you don’t have to go into hiding when the pollen and mold counts start to rise; our experienced team can help.
At Advanced Allergy & Asthma in Ogden, Utah, our board-certified allergy allergists specialize in diagnosing and treating all forms of allergies. We also have tips and tricks to help keep your symptoms at bay long before they even begin.
If you have seasonal allergies, we recommend taking these simple steps now, so you’re ready to enjoy spring when it finally arrives.
Recognizing the signs of spring allergies
When you have an allergic reaction, your body overreacts to specific triggers that are typically harmless to other people. This can be in response to several different things, including certain foods, medications, and insect bites.
If you have seasonal allergies, your allergic response is due to pollens and molds in the environment. The number of these substances change with weather patterns and the seasons, but they all kick your immune system into high gear, causing a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, such as:
- Sinus congestion
- Runny nose and post-nasal drip
- Itchy, dry, or watery eyes
- Coughing and sneezing
Fortunately, you don’t have to wait for your symptoms to start before taking steps to get them under control.
Create a clean environment
No one likes to clean, but it’s crucial if you have allergies.
To get a jump on spring pollen, turn your house into a safe space by cleaning areas where allergens often accumulate, especially your bedding, upholstered furniture, air filters, and carpeting. It’s also essential to vacuum floors, furniture, and rugs frequently, using a vacuum with a HEPA filter. These high-efficiency particulate air filters can trap 99.97% of particles that are as small as 0.3 microns.
Once you have your clean, pollen-free environment, keep your windows closed and turn on the AC to avoid bringing more allergens indoors.
Don’t forget about the mold!
When it comes to seasonal allergies, it's easy to focus on pollen alone. However, mold can also trigger your allergy symptoms.
Take steps to keep mold out of your living space by watching for signs in areas where it often develops, like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. We recommend removing mold from hard surfaces with water and detergent and repairing any leaks in windows, roofs, or pipes. And remember, if you use a dehumidifier, empty and clean it often to prevent mildew.
For a mold-free environment, keep the humidity levels in your home below 50%.
Have a plan
Even if you have seasonal allergies, you can still enjoy spending time outside. But, we recommend planning your outdoor activities during times of day when pollen counts are lowest. That means waiting to head outside until mid-morning and understanding that pollen levels are higher on hot, dry days than compared to cold and rainy ones.
In addition to avoiding times of day when pollen counts are at their highest, we also recommend wearing a mask if you have to work in the yard to reduce the allergens you inhale. And, after spending time outside, be sure to change your clothes as soon as you get home to avoid spreading fresh pollen spores throughout your space and shower before going to bed.
See an allergy specialist
It’s easy to put off a trip to the doctor until you feel your worst, but working closely with an allergist can help control your symptoms before they arise.
At our practice, we offer on-site allergy analysis using both skin and blood tests to diagnose the cause of your allergic reaction accurately. After diagnosing your condition, we can outline a personalized strategy to help manage your symptoms and prevent new ones from developing.
For more information on preparing for spring allergies, contact us by calling one of our convenient locations in Ogden, Utah.
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