As spring is upon us, so are seasonal allergies. Spring means blooming trees and flower buds, and Louisville has been ranked as one of the worst places in the country for seasonal allergies. If you have seasonal allergies, you may notice symptoms of congestion, sneezing, a runny nose and itchy, watery eyes.
One main reason why living in Louisville can cause such bad allergies is that the city has bluegrass. This creates an ideal environment for airborne pollen since bluegrass gives off more pollen than any other type of grass.
Another main reason for bad allergies in the Louisville area is that the city is part of the Ohio River Valley. Being close to a river basin, having smog and having high humidity during the summer months can cause these allergies.
There are tips and tricks for avoiding seasonal allergies, including changes you can implement at home, medications you can try and even surgeries for which you may be a candidate. The following are some at-home tricks.
- Do not open screen doors or windows for airflow. Keep them closed.
- Keep current on prescribed shots and medications.
- Minimize your time spent outdoors, and shower immediately after coming inside. Also, take your shoes off immediately after coming inside from the outdoors.
- Keep your hands away from your eyes and face.
- Wear a face mask when doing outside chores.
- Do your laundry often.
Allergy medications are available as liquids, pills, nasal sprays, eyedrops, creams or inhalers. Some are over-the-counter while others are by prescription. When it comes to taking medication, antihistamines, decongestants and corticosteroid nasal sprays may be recommended by your health care provider.
Surgeries can include treatment of a deviated septum (septoplasty) or other nasal deformities that may be contributing to the severity of your allergy symptoms. These surgeries and modern techniques can significantly improve breathing and can make allergies easier to manage.
Be sure to talk to your doctor about finding the best solution for you to help with your allergies.
