5 Tips for Managing Seasonal Allergies

Environmental allergies can be a year-round nuisance, but spring — with those pesky blooming flowers and trees — is especially challenging for many. 

If spring means sneezing, congestion, and a perpetual runny nose, North Tex MedCare Clinic & Urgent Care, with four Texas locations, has your back.

Led by emergency medicine physician Frank Lee, North Tex MedCare Clinic & Urgent Care providers offer first-class care for a wide range of primary and urgent care needs, including seasonal allergies.

As experts with more than two decades of experience, they know that prevention is the best medicine. So here, they offer five sure-fire tips to help nip your symptoms in the bud. 

1. Consult your North Tex provider

Get ahead of allergy symptoms by working with our team. We ensure an accurate diagnosis to help nail down your triggers. Common spring allergy triggers include grass or tree pollen, mold, and ragweed. However, it's essential to pinpoint yours. Once that's done, your provider will help develop a personalized management plan.

2. Adhere to medications 

 Medication can provide excellent relief for allergy sufferers. However, not all medicines are ideal for managing allergy symptoms; some can be more risky for older adults.

We decode the allergy medication aisle at your pharmacy or drug store and advise you on the best choices.

3. Avoid triggers

You don't want to hide inside now that the sunshine and mild temperatures beckon. Enjoy the outdoors with these tips:

• Minimize high-pollen activities, such as mowing the lawn or raking leaves
• Shower and change clothes when you come in from outdoors 
• Wipe allergens off your pet after spending time outside
• Dry laundry indoors, not on the line

Bonus tip: Try rinsing your nasal passages with a saline solution to flush out allergens and mucus.

4. Allergy-proof your home

 Your home is your castle. Reduce your indoor allergens by: 

• Keeping windows closed at home and in your car
• Clean often with a vacuum containing a HEPA filter
• Change your bedding frequently
• Use high-efficiency filters for heating or air conditioning units
• Put a high-efficiency HEPA air filter in your bedroom

A dehumidifier can help reduce seasonal allergy symptoms by keeping indoor air dry.

5. Keep abreast of weather forecasts

Check your local pollen count, and prepare when there’s a lot of pollen in the air. Also, be aware of strong wind forecasts. Strong winds can aggravate allergy symptoms.

When pollen counts are high, consider the following: 

• Avoiding or limiting outdoor activities 
• Adjusting your allergy medication
• Keeping windows and doors shut

Don’t wait to get ready for allergy season. Start now. Let the experts at North Tex MedCare Clinic & Urgent Care help you keep seasonal allergies from sabotaging your spring. Book an appointment with the experts today. Call (469) 854-3261 or request an appointment online.