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Seasonal Allergies

There are many sources of allergies. You can be allergic to pollen, animals, dust or food.

Allergies occur when your body reacts and defends itself against substances that are usually harmless

Seasonal allergies are the best known. They can occur as early as childhood or later on in life. Allergies to trees or grasses, such as grass lawns, start in the spring and last up to the beginning of summer. Ragweed allergies start in mid-July and last until the first frost.

Do you suffer from a cold or an allergy

Sometimes it is difficult to differentiate an allergy from a cold or flu. Here are some symptoms that can help you better recognize allergies:

1. Nasal discharge (clear secretions)
2. Sneezing
3. Nasal congestion
4. Itchy eyes
5. Lacrimation
6. Itching
7. Absence of fever and sore throat.
8. Symptoms lasting more than 10 days.

How to identify ragweed

Ragweed is the main cause of allergies during fall, affecting 89% of allergy suffers.

Ragweed often grows in wide open spaces, You can recognize it by:

1. Its uniform pale green narrows and serrated leaves.
2. Its hairy stem topped by a paler green flower.

 

Do not wait for the plant to bloom to react, and uproot it before the month if August.

How can symptoms be reduced?

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, here are some tips to take better advantage of the warm season;

1. Wear sunglasses to reduce the amount of Pollen reaching our eyes.
2. Avoid hanging your clothes on the line to prevent pollen from sticking to the material.
3. Keep the lawn shot, because growing grass blooms and releases pollen
4. Take off your clothes covered with pollen before entering your bedroom.
5. Keep the windows closed.
6. Eliminate ragweed before the month of August.
7. Avoid going out in the morning, and when the weather is dry, hot and windy. It is always preferable to practice outdoor activities at the end of the afternoon or after heavy showers when pollen levels are low
8. Wear a mask to filter out dust while gardening or mowing the lawn
9. Take a shower and change clothes on entering the house because  pollen can stick to clothes skin and hair

General Symptoms

1. Presence or absence of drowsiness: If allergy symptoms affect you the most during the day, you should choose a non drowsy medicine
2. Dosage frequency: The relief period varies from one medication to another: Some drugs, will work for six hours while others for as long as 24 hours
3. Contraindications: If you have health problem, some drugs against allergies could be contraindicated. Consult your pharmacist to make the right choice.