Seasonal Allergy

Home care

To make your seasonal allergy symptoms better:

• Stay away from or limit your time near the allergen as much as you can.  

  • Stay indoors on windy days during pollen season. Check pollen counts in your area. These can be found in weather reports.

  • Keep windows and doors closed. Use air-conditioning instead in your home and car. This filters the air.

  • Change air-conditioner filters often.

  • Take a shower, wash your hair, and change clothes after being outdoors.

  • Wear a mask when you work outdoors. Cloth or surgical masks can decrease allergy symptoms. A NIOSH-rated 95 filter mask (N95 mask) will filter even more pollen.

  • Before going outside, take your allergy medicine as advised by your health care provider.

• Decongestant pills and sprays reduce tissue swelling and watery discharge. You can buy them over the counter. Using nasal decongestant sprays too much may make symptoms worse. Don't use these more often than recommended. Sometimes symptoms can get worse when you stop using them. Talk with your health care provider or pharmacist about these medicines before you take them, especially if you have high blood pressure or heart problems. 

• Antihistamines block the release of histamine during the allergic response. They may work better when taken before symptoms develop. Unless you were prescribed an antihistamine, you can take over-the-counter antihistamines. Some antihistamines can make you sleepy. Talk with your health care provider or pharmacist about these medicines before you take them. This is especially important if you have glaucoma, high blood pressure, heart disease, trouble urinating, breathing problems, thyroid disease, liver disease, or kidney disease.

• Steroid nasal sprays help reduce tissue swelling. These sprays are generally well-tolerated and are available over the counter. Ask your pharmacist or health care provider for suggestions. You may be prescribed oral steroids for more severe symptoms.

• If you have asthma, pollen season may make your asthma symptoms worse. It's important that you use your asthma medicines as directed during this time to prevent or treat attacks. Some people's asthma symptoms get worse when they take antihistamines. This is due to their drying effect on the lungs. If you notice this, stop the antihistamines, drink extra fluids, and call your provider.

• If you have sinus congestion or drainage, a saline nasal rinse may help. It can reduce swelling and clear mucus. This allows sinuses to drain. Prepackaged kits are sold at most drug stores.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your health care provider, or as advised. If you were referred to a specialist, make an appointment soon. An allergy test can help you find out what to stay away from and when to take your allergy medicines. Also, allergy immunotherapy can help ease or prevent seasonal allergy symptoms. Allergy shots are given by a provider who specializes in treating allergies (allergist). The shots may also lower the amount of medicine you need to take during the allergy season. Sublingual immunotherapy allergy tablets are also available. These are given under the tongue. Talk with your provider to see what treatments might help you.

When to get medical advice

Contact your health care provider right away if you have:

• Face, ear, or sinus pain or colored drainage from the nose.

• Headaches.

• Asthma symptoms that don't respond to the usual doses of your asthma medicine.

• A cough with colored mucus.

• A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by your provider.

Call 911

Call 911 if you have:

• Trouble breathing or swallowing, or you're wheezing.

• A hoarse voice, trouble speaking, or drooling.

• Confusion.

• Severe drowsiness or trouble waking up.

• Fainting or loss of consciousness.

• A rapid heart rate or weak pulse.

• Low blood pressure.

• A feeling of doom.

• Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea.

• Vomited blood or have large amounts of blood in your stool.

• A seizure.

• Cold, moist, or pale (blue in color) skin.