Is it just me or Cairos weather has been acting strange lately? I mean we are in March and It’s 36C already. The first warm days of spring! Time to open the windows, pack away the winter coats, get out in the garden — and head to the pharmacy to stock up on allergy medications; greeting the arrival of spring with a stuffy nose and watery eyes instead of a happy heart. The good news is that there are simple ways that can minimize your allergy and let you welcome the new season with a big smile.
1. Start your medications before symptoms start
If you know that you really allergic, March is the time to begin treatment. Starting nasal steroid sprays two to three weeks before spring starts can make a big difference in nasal symptoms. Oral OTC antihistamines like Claritin or Allegra can effectively manage your symptoms. Despite what you might have heard, antihistamines are not addictive, although they can lose some of their effectiveness over a few months. If your symptoms are not controlled, consider switching brands periodically to make sure your medication is still packing the greatest punch. You may want to buy the kind that is called “non-sedating” on the label (unless you’re planning to go straight to bed after taking them). Avoid nasal decongestants; theyre designed for use with a cold, for seven days or less, while allergies last for weeks. If it is used for more than a week, a disorder called rhinitis medicamentosa may occur i.e. rebound nasal congestion (when congestion returns and gets WORSE)
2. Control Your Environment.
A healthy, clean house would do the trick. However, clean doesn’t mean just that it looks clean. Avoid things that are in the air like mold, dust mites and pet hair – that may be the main reason for triggering your allergy and worsening your case. This is especially important if you have a pet allergy as people often believe their house is clean of any pet hair, however, there is a large volume of pet hair and dander in the air that you can’t see. This will be causing your allergy symptoms to be a lot worse. You might want to try a Dog Hair Air Purifier to keep the air as clean as possible and remove that pet hair and dander that you can’t see. Also make sure the floor/curtains/bed are always cleaned and well aerated. There’s a myth that if you keep your windows shut, you’ll be okay. But homes have to have ventilation, and about one-third of what’s outside gets inside no matter what you do.
You don’t want to have to stay indoors on a beautiful day just because you have allergies. A simple disposable paper mask would do the trick and remember to start allergy medications early in the season so your allergic response doesn’t get out of control. That applies to your daily life as well. If you’re working outside in the afternoon, take your allergy medication at lunch so it will have a chance to get into your system before an allergen does.
3. Simple yet effective
Nasal irrigation using a neti pot with a saline solution would minimize seasonal allergy symptoms and be of a great relief if you are congested; rinsing the mucus and irritation out. but keep in mind that they have their limits
4. Pay your Dr a visit
If you have tried all of the above and yet it’s not working; Try seeing a Dr. He would run some tests and find out exactly what you’re allergic to, and develop a plan.
Remember, make the most of your summer and have fun as much as you can 😉