It’s common to feel like allergies are getting the better of you. In reality, the symptoms you’re experiencing are caused by an allergy to something in your environment. No one is immune from this condition, and it can range from mildly irritating to downright debilitating, depending on how severe the allergy is. In Surprise, AZ, allergists can diagnose the severity of the allergy, hence offering the proper remedy. Consider visiting the best Surprise allergist.
What are Allergies?
Allergies are more than just an annoyance, but can also be harmful to your health. Allergies occur when your body’s complex immune system misidentifies certain foreign substances (like pollen, dust mites, or animal dander) as dangerous invaders.
Your immune system reacts by releasing histamines into the bloodstream, which causes inflammation of tissues and tissue swelling. This produces allergy symptoms including itchy eyes, runny nose, sinus congestion, sneezing, and coughing.
Common Allergy Triggers
Many things can trigger an allergic reaction. Some of the most common triggers include:
- Pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds
- Dust mites
- Animal dander
- Mold spores
- Food (especially nuts, shellfish, eggs, and milk)
- Insect stings
How to Treat Allergies
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating allergies. What works for one person may not work for another. However, several treatments can help ease your allergy symptoms.
Avoiding the things that trigger your allergies is the best way to avoid symptoms, but it’s not always possible or practical.
Take over-the-counter antihistamines. These medications help relieve symptoms by blocking the action of histamines.
Use nasal irrigation. It involves flushing your nasal passages with a saline solution to help clear out allergens and mucus.
See an allergist for immunotherapy. This includes exposure to small amounts of the allergens that trigger your symptoms. This can help your body get used to them and reduce or eliminate your allergies.
Consider using a steroid nasal spray. These medications help reduce inflammation in the nasal passages, relieving congestion and other symptoms.
How to Avoid Allergens
An allergen is anything that triggers an allergic reaction. Some of the most common allergens include:
- Dust mites
- Animal dander
- Mold spores
- Grass and tree pollen
You can reduce your exposure to these substances by taking simple steps such as changing your air filters, keeping windows closed when it’s pollen season, and using a vacuum with a HEPA filter. You can also buy unique covers for your pillows and mattresses to reduce exposure to dust mites. Keep them out of the bedroom and wash their bedding regularly if you have pets.
When traveling, always check the forecast to see if there is a high pollen count in the area before heading outdoors. If you need to be outdoors, wear sunglasses and a face mask or scarf to protect yourself from pollen on plants or in the air.
Many things can trigger an allergic reaction. Some of the most common allergen triggers include pollen, dust mites, animal dander, mold spores, and food. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating allergies. Still, several treatments can help relieve your allergy symptoms such as avoiding allergens or triggers when possible and using over-the-counter antihistamines. Seeing an allergist is something essential.