Seasonal Allergies: Symptoms, Prevention, and Solutions
Seasonal allergies affect millions of people each year, making spring and summer particularly difficult for allergy sufferers. Pollen, grass, dust mites… all triggers that cause unpleasant and sometimes disabling reactions. Fortunately, there are effective ways to prevent and relieve these symptoms.
What are the symptoms of seasonal allergies?
Seasonal allergies, also called allergic rhinitis, manifest themselves through several symptoms:
* Frequent sneezing
* Nasal congestion or clear discharge
* Itching in the nose, eyes, throat
* Red, watery, irritated eyes
* Dry cough
* Fatigue due to sleep disturbances caused by symptoms.
These reactions are triggered by exposure to airborne allergens, including pollen from trees, grasses and herbs.
How to prevent seasonal allergies?
Prevention is based on several axes: healthy living, environmental planning and the use of appropriate treatments.
1. Drug treatments
There are several solutions to relieve allergies, depending on the intensity of your symptoms, it is possible to combine them:
* Antihistamines: available without a prescription, they effectively reduce symptoms by blocking histamine, which is responsible for allergic reactions.
Be careful though, they can cause drowsiness.
* Nasal corticosteroids: recommended in case of persistent symptoms, they act by reducing inflammation of the mucous membranes.
* Antiallergic eye drops: useful for calming eye irritations.
2. Rules of hygiene and maintenance of the environment
To limit exposure to allergens, a few simple actions can make a difference:
At home :
* Ventilate early in the morning or late in the evening, when the pollen concentration is lower.
* Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter.
* Wash sheets and curtains regularly at high temperatures.
* Vacuum with a suitable filter to prevent the proliferation of mites.
* Avoid rugs and carpets that trap allergens.
In the car:
* Keep windows closed during periods of high pollination.
* Use a pollen filter for ventilation.
* Clean interior surfaces regularly to remove allergen particles.
Personal hygiene:
* Regular use of saline solution to clean the eyes and sea water to clean the nose can reduce symptoms by reducing the time of exposure to allergens.
* Wash your hair and change your clothes after going out to eliminate pollen.
* Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.
* Avoid drying laundry outdoors where it can pick up pollen.
Seasonal allergies can be very annoying, but by adopting the right reflexes and using the appropriate treatments, it is possible to limit their impact on daily life. Many solutions exist to help better manage this period. Do not hesitate to ask us for advice to choose the products best suited to your situation!
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