Preparation is Key for Spring Allergies - LiveHealth Online

The saying goes, better to be prepared. How do we do that? Dr. Mia Finkelston, who treats patients using LiveHealth Online, has some quick tips to keep in mind as the weather keeps changing this season.

First things first.

Know when allergy season kicks in in your region of the country and pay attention to weather changes. Weather channel and local new stations are key to staying informed and will be most helpful to know when to expect the worst in terms of allergies.

What should you keep in your allergy kit?

Have an allergy kit at the ready, one for travel and one for at home.

This should contain: an oral antihistamine, a nasal steroid which many ENT Doctors consider first line these days, in addition, if you get itchy eyes, have some allergy eye drops and artificial tears, as sometimes when pollen blows in your eyes a good rinse is all you need. If you get congested with allergy season, then having a decongestant may be a good med to have ready.  Keep in mind, an anti-histamine which is dosed every 6 hours can be very sedating and drying, but it does work well and quickly. Just keep in mind you must be careful if you need to drive. Anti-itch creams, like hydrocortisone are terrific to have at home or on the go.

What should you avoid?

Avoid touching your face or rubbing your eyes with your hands. It may feel like the right thing to do, especially if you’re itchy, but it won’t help. Another tip to keep in mind is that spring is a great time to air out your home, but you really want to avoid keeping windows open when pollen counts escalate. It may be hard to stay indoors, but that’s the safest place to be for those who suffer the worst from allergies.

If you have any questions about your allergies, you can always reach a doctor using LiveHealth Online or download our app at Google Play or the App Store.

Comments and opinions from Dr. Mia Finkelston are hers alone. This is an essay and is not considered medical treatment.