WASHINGTON, June 17, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Pollen is the main trigger of allergies in the Summer. Pollen allergies can cause sneezing, nasal congestion, coughing and itchiness in the nose, eyes and throat.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, about 35 million Americans suffer from pollen allergy, commonly known as hay fever.
Follow these tips to prevent or treat this type of allergies.
Allergy prevention
- Limit your outdoor activities in the mornings, a time when pollen levels are at their highest.
- Take a shower and change clothes at home if you were outdoors. This will help clear out any pollen left on your hair, body and clothing.
- Avoid hanging your clothes to dry outdoors.
- Keep your home and car windows closed on sunny, windy days. If possible, use air conditioning.
- Avoid mowing the lawn or sweeping the deck or patio too often.
Allergy medicine
Certain medicines may help alleviate symptoms of allergies or allergic rhinitis. Talk to your doctor about the right allergy medications for you.
Some common allergy medications include:
- Nasal and oral decongestants
- Antihistamines in pill, syrup, or drop form
- Nasal sprays, with or without corticosteroids
Allergy tests
If your symptoms are too difficult to manage with medication, your doctor can perform a skin allergy test to get a more accurate diagnosis. Based on the results, the doctor will prescribe the proper course of treatment.
To learn more about health issues, see USA.gov and GobiernoUSA.gov, the U.S. Government’s official web portals in English and Spanish, and part of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
